chimpanzee sanctuary

In memory of Mandy Newton

January 19, 2017 by Katelyn

Friend of the chimps, Peggy Burke, sponsored this special day of sanctuary in memory of her granddaughter, Mandy. Peggy shared this message about her beautiful gift:

“My granddaughter, Mandy Newton would have celebrated her birthday on the 19th but she passed on due to a car accident in 2000 at the young age of 20. This year I want to remember her by honoring the Cle Elum Seven. She loved all living things and would have shared my love of the chimps.”

Peggy, thank you so much for honoring Mandy and the chimpanzees. Mandy sounds like such a lovely soul and we are so sorry for your and your family’s loss. Your gift is such a beautiful way to pay tribute to Mandy and to ensure her life continues to make a difference in the world.

It’s an amazing privilege that we get to have here with Sponsor a Days. It’s because of the chimpanzees, but also because of the incredible humans who are drawn to them. We get to share in the lives of so many people, to celebrate with them, to honor and remember the people, fellow animals, and events that hold meaning in their hearts, and sometimes, just to stand with them in difficult times, to witness their grief, their heartache. And ultimately through it all, to witness love.

Foxie and some of her loves:

Happy Birthday, Adrienne!

January 14, 2017 by Katelyn

A day of sanctuary and celebration was sponsored by Eric in honor of Adrienne’s birthday with this sweet message: “Happy Birthday from Burrito and all his friends at the sanctuary!”

Eric, thank you so much for thinking of the chimps as you honor Adrienne on her special day! Your compassion and generosity make a lasting difference in their lives.

Adrienne, it’s great that you and Burrito share a birthday month, mere days apart. During parties (and most any ol’ day) it’s not uncommon to see Burrito running through the chimp house in a dominance display, hair standing on end and clapping his hands as he attempts to intimidate the girls, especially when there’s food that he’s excited to reach. I’m not sure if you want to celebrate your special day this way (we don’t judge), but food squeaking in utter joy is also classic Burrito so you could just go with that. 🙂 However you choose to celebrate, we hope your day is full of all that you most love and enjoy! Happy Birthday!

Who’s your favorite Queen?

January 9, 2017 by Katelyn

Neggie:

(Photos courtesy of Keri 🙂 )

Save

Today is in memory of Thomas Burke

January 8, 2017 by Katelyn

Today one of the chimpanzees’ new friends, Peggy Burke, is remembering her husband, Thomas, and celebrating their life together by sponsoring a day of sanctuary in his memory. Peggy shared, “January 8th was my husband’s birthday and we used to spend a lot of time in the Cle Elum area. What better way to remember him than by helping the Cle Elum Seven.”

Peggy, thank you so much for contributing to the chimpanzees’ lives and home, providing them the space so heal, grow, transform and to rejoice in what life brings their way each day. Cle Elum is such a beautiful area and it’s wonderful that you have such fond memories of the time you spent here together. We are so touched that you would include the chimpanzees in your life and on such a special day. We’re honored to remember Thomas here today and are sending you all the good thoughts, hoping this day brings you comfort, joy and love as you have helped provide the chimpanzees.

Burrito and Foxie:

It’s often still surprising for people when they learn the chimpanzees are living here. We are so grateful to all our supporters and give special thanks to our local friends and neighbors who have welcomed the chimps with open arms and continue to support and protect them as members of their community. The Cle Elum City Council even awarded the chimps honorary citizens status shortly before their first anniversary here!

Jamie:

Jody, Missy, and Annie:

Annie and Missy:

Foxie and France Dora:

Burrito and Negra:

Happy Birthday, Burrito!!

January 6, 2017 by Katelyn

We’re celebrating our first chimpanzee birthday of the year with Burrito, who turns 34 today! This special day of sanctuary for our beloved Bubs was kindly sponsored by Trish Loesch (you may recall her husband, John, also sponsored a day earlier this week thanks to Trish’s love for the chimps!). Trish shares this message: “Happy Birthday Burrito!!! I hope your special day will bring you lots of happiness, love and fun with your friends!!!”

If you’ve been following the blog for long, you may have gathered that we do a lot of partying around here. Parties are a wonderful source of enrichment, anticipation and excitement for the chimps. But they are also much more than that. These seven amazing chimpanzees, everything that makes them the unique individuals they are, and all the incredible humans – each of you – who make their lives in sanctuary possible, are to be celebrated. Each and every day. So really, we need to party even more!

And I’m sure as long as it involves food – lots, and lots of food – Burrito is on board. For every adorable and charming move he makes, every ruckus he raises, all the crazy food squeaks, the deadly accurate spitting upon humans, the brain-rattling cage rattling, and heart-melting play stomps, play bows, head-stands, kisses and smiles, we celebrate this amazing guy. Burrito is an important part of this family and we couldn’t love him more. We’re so happy to honor him today.

Thank you so much for your generous gift, Trish! The fridge is stocked and the celebration of Burrito (and food!) is getting underway. Be sure to tune in later today to see the festivities!

Happy Birthday, B!! We love you so much!!

Thank you, John and Trish!

January 4, 2017 by Katelyn

This winter morning dawned (at least by my info) at -1 with a -11 wind chill! Dependent on where you are, it may sound horrifying or balmy. But these mornings are some of the most beautiful ones of winter here and the dry cold brings sunrises that turn the surrounding mountains and valleys pink, blue and purple. While all the humans are bundled to the extreme, when greeting the chimps this morning they were all bouncing through their comfy chimp house, safe, warm and excitedly awaiting breakfast service. Negra was sitting in her nest surrounded by several members of her chimp family who were grooming her, each of them wrapped in the morning sun just coming up over the hills and streaming in the windows.

This comforting day of sanctuary was sponsored for the chimps by John Loesch who shared: “My wife, Trish loves the chimps so I am sponsoring a day too!!!” (Trish has an upcoming day of sanctuary this Friday in honor of Burrito’s birthday!).

John, thank you so much for your generous gift and to both you and Trish for loving the chimpanzees! Your compassion makes a safe home filled with love, dignity, comfort and family the every day reality for the chimps. A reality they probably never had the chance to even imagine before arriving to the sanctuary. And we thank you and all who ensure the chimps’ lives are now filled with hope and bright, new horizons every day.