Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee sanctuary

Happy New Year!

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The chimpanzees have spent the last two meals welcoming 2016 in the only way we know how, with back to back forage parties! Last night they had a black and white themed forage complete with a sparkling pear cider “champagne” toast and today we broke out another bottle of cider and the chimpanzees had a New Year’s Day brunch forage.

The party meal..
Pear cider with black eyed peas, persimmons, kale, and a box of mixed nuts:
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The party attendees..
Annie:
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Burrito:
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Jamie licking out smoothie from a tiny glass:
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Jody:
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Missy stacked her plates to keep everything together:
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Negra lost a bit of her brunch on the floor:
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But she still managed to get some of it back to her upstairs nest:
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Foxie was on hand to vacuum up Negra’s lost black eyed peas:
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Foxie again:
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If you haven’t seen it yet, please enjoy this video as we look back on some of the best moments of 2015. Wishing you and yours, a very Happy New Year from all of us at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest!

Thank you, Ron!

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In welcoming this new year, we also welcome a new supporter and friend to our sanctuary family! Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored for the chimpanzees by Ron Michaud! Ron shared that he just learned of the chimpanzees and the history of the sanctuary while speaking with our Co-Director, JB Mulcahy, during a flight they shared and he added this message about today, “What a great thing he has done for these chimps!! Hope they get more to add to the family.”

I always say that working here is less of a job and more a way of life. We are all so passionate about the chimpanzees and if you speak to any of us for very long you are most likely going to hear about each of these amazing beings and the incredible group of people who have come together (to include each of you) to make their lives in sanctuary possible. And as we look at providing wonderful futures for Annie, Missy, Burrito, Foxie, Jody, Jamie and Negra, we’re also thrilled to be moving ahead with plans to grow our sanctuary family so we can provide other chimps with the hope, love, home and sanctuary they also deserve.

Ron, thank you so much for sponsoring this New Years Day of sanctuary! We’re thrilled that in learning of JB’s work and the chimpanzees you shared that passion and were immediately inspired to make a difference in the chimps’ lives and we really appreciate you starting their year off with such a compassionate gesture. 2015 has been an incredible year and we are so excited as we look ahead to 2016! Happy New Year!

The Queen of the sanctuary, Negra:

Negra close-up

Snow removal crews

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After days, weeks really, of endless snow and treacherous commutes for staff and volunteers alike, this morning dawned a new day. Achingly gorgeous clear, blue skies, a pink sunrise with bald eagles flying overhead, glittering snow, and much to the caregivers’ delight, clear (and dare I say almost dry!) roads to drive to work on. The quintessential beautiful winter day:

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The chimpanzees, especially Jamie, have been real troopers waiting out the snow. So first thing this morning, Diana, Anna and I decided to shovel some walkways and around Young’s Hill and line them with straw for the chimpanzees to venture out. All the chimps had been watching us intently from the playroom windows and when we stepped back into the greenhouse, Jamie was more than ready to get a look at what we had done.

When I gave the chimps access to Young’s Hill, Jamie was ready and waiting and literally squeezed through the doorway as it was opening. She immediately headed onto the hill, grabbing the toy shovel we had left on her way and headed out to help finish clearing the pathways.

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And it wasn’t long before she had a back-up snow removal crew member with Annie! Annie! Can you believe it?! (The other chimps were watching from the raceway while sitting in the sun):

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Jamie initially started shoveling with the shovel side down and then tried out the handle. The second I reminded her to turn it back around she did and carried on with her snow removal project.

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That’s their breath clouding around Annie:

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When Jamie was satisfied (and probably a little cold!) she headed back inside, but Annie decided to enjoy the morning sun for a view minutes on her own.

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Once she’d had enough of the cold morning she headed back to the warmth of the greenhouse. I don’t know what we humans would do without some help from these amazing chimpanzee people:

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The chimpanzees and humans have been so incredibly fortunate this holiday season, our hearts and sanctuary home filled with the kindness and generosity of all of you. I would like to share another very special gift the chimpanzees received! The amazing children of Ms. Horton’s 5th grade class made this Christmas tree and each beautiful, heartfelt ornament on it. We are so touched that they all would take the time and care to make the chimpanzees such an awesome gift for Christmas and send it all the way from Texas! We hung it up right outside the chimpanzees’ front rooms where they can all enjoy looking at it. Thank you so much!!

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Thanks to David and to Elizabeth!

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In case you missed this morning’s blog post, we are incredibly grateful to have THREE people sponsoring today for the chimpanzees, our first of whom is Tracy Headley.

Our second sponsor of the day is David Visneau! David, thank you so  much for your generosity, we truly appreciate you thinking of the chimpanzees and making a difference in their lives!

And our third sponsor for today is Elizabeth Steele, in honor of Lars and Becca Jorgensen! Elizabeth shared this message about today:

“This donation is in honor of Becca and Lars Jorgensen and their love and devotion to the Cle Elum Seven.”

Lars and Becca are dedicated chimp house volunteers who drive all the way from Seattle as often as possible to help care for the chimps. They go above and beyond in countless ways, from Becca picking up our generous produce donations from Darwin’s Natural Pet Foods multiple times a month to bring with her, to being Boss Jamie’s right-hand woman when it comes to walking around the perimeter of Young’s Hill multiple times a day! We are so fortunate to have Lars and Becca as part of our chimp family and are happy to see them honored today.

Elizabeth, thank you for honoring Lars and Becca and for sharing in the love they have for the chimpanzees and the dedication to making their lives better.

Boss Jamie:

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Becca, Jamie and Missy patrolling the territory:

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Jamie luxuriating in her nest while wearing the gift of a new pair of boots from her friend, Becca:

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Happy Birthday, Tracy!

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Today, incredibly, we have three supporters sponsoring this day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees! We begin the day with a sponsorship by Tracy Headley, a dear friend (to chimps and humans alike) and member of our sanctuary family. Tracy probably wouldn’t tell you this, but she lives her life every day bringing light, support, comfort and love to so many beings – both human and non. She is celebrating her birthday today and shared this touching message:

“Again this year I celebrate my friends at CSNW on my birthday. Every day of the year they are a gift in my life.”

Happy Birthday, Tracy! Thank you so much for all that you do for the chimpanzees. You hold them in your heart and make a difference in their lives at every opportunity. We are thrilled to celebrate your special day with you and can’t say how happy we are that you are part of our chimpanzee family. You are a special soul and you make the world a better place by being here. We hope you have a fabulous day full of all good things! With lots of hooting!

Here are your pals to help start your celebration off right:

Ms. Foxie:

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Burrito:

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Jody:

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Today is in memory of Bill Clark

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Shelley Winfrey in memory of her dad, Bill Clark, on his birthday. Shelley is a long-time friend of the chimpanzees and does so much to support their lives in their sanctuary home.

Shelley, thank you so much for sponsoring this day in memory of your dad, Bill. We are touched that you include the chimpanzees when holding your family in your heart and we are honored to celebrate your dad with you today. We are so grateful for all you do for the chimpanzees and our thoughts are with you as we wish you a day full of comfort, love and joyful memories.

A quiet moment from your handsome pal, Burrito:

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Thank you, Karen!

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We are so thankful to also have Karen Bugni sponsoring today for the chimpanzees! Karen shared that she wanted to sponsor today as “A gift for the chimps!” It’s immensely moving to witness how much care and compassion these seven special souls inspire and we are thrilled to see them surrounded by so much love.

Karen, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees and wanting to give them this special Christmas gift! We are so grateful to you and hope you know that you make a difference in their lives. All of us here at CSNW wish you the happiest of holidays!

Foxie with a snow-snack:

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Every year it seems the love for these seven amazing chimpanzees grows more and more and this year is no different. You all have stocked the chimp house shelves for chimps and humans alike with items we needed from our Wishlist, sent donations, and boxes and boxes of gifts for the chimpanzees to have on Christmas day. You are amazing! We are immensely grateful to each and every one of you for your support of these seven special chimpanzees and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving them lives of love, comfort and celebration. From all of the primates here at CSNW, Merry Everything and a Happy Always! And be sure to tune in later today for the chimpanzees’ holiday festivities!