It may be a new year, but Annie and Missy spent their morning in a good old-fashioned play session.
chimpanzee sanctuary
Welcoming in the New Year
We are all continuously so amazed by how generous our supporters are—truly, you all keep this sanctuary running! We are able to give Jamie, Foxie, Burrito, Missy, Annie, Negra, and Jody a cozy warm home, good healthy food, long-lasting friendships with caregivers, and an endless supply of trolls, boots, and other enrichment directly because of YOU.
This year, our family of staff and supporters has grown stronger and our hearts have only gotten bigger from how grateful we are to see these seven special beings live their lives without the fear of being in confined biomedical lab cages—not knowing what would happen next.
Now, you can see in their eyes they trust us. They trust us. It truly amazes me after all they’ve been through, that they not only forgive humans, but learn to build friendships with confidence, trust us with their most prized possessions, and even help us out when needed. It’s because of your support that we can maintain these important relationships with these chimpanzees and provide them with hope, love, home, and sanctuary.
Our goal for year-end giving of individual donations was fairly optimistic, but we’re getting closer and closer every minute that we creep toward welcoming 2015. As I write this, we are just $1,512 short of our goal for year-end giving! In just a few short hours, you can help us make it to our goal for this year (or surpass it!)
Dora and friends got dressed up for the New Year’s Eve bash:
Everyone enjoyed a sparkling apple cider forage, especially Jamie:
Missy had her own technique:
Everyone else was busy collecting the nuts and coconut flakes we scattered around like confetti:
Foxie:
Annie:
Jody:
Negra:
Cheers to you and yours, and Happy New Year from all of us at
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest!
Monthly favorites
Earlier this year, we phased out the individual Facebook pages for each chimp in favor of consolidating posts to our main CSNW Facebook page, with the promise that we would post our favorite photos of each chimp every month. Sometimes they are photos we haven’t posted to the blog before, and sometimes they are repeats, but ones that are definitely worth repeating! This month I selected some that haven’t been posted on the blog or Facebook before. I also wanted to thank everyone for their support during this busy month, and all year long!
You don’t have to be on Facebook to see our posts there — here’s the one from today:
Thank you, Patricia Schubert!
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Patricia Schubert! Patricia, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity toward the chimpanzees and for honoring them with a special day! We have the most amazing supporters and it’s truly a joy and a gift to be surrounded by such compassion every day.
Part of sanctuary for Negra is mini-pumpkins:
Thanks to everyone who has sponsored days in the last couple of months, getting us to our goal of 50 new sponsored days by the end of 2014! There’s still two more days to surpass our goal!
More Avian Visitors
One particular day earlier this month, Jamie kept zigzagging back and forth across Young’s Hill instead of making her way all the way around the inside perimeter of the fence. There was a loud drumming sound coming from a group of pine trees on the east side of the property and whenever she heard it, she would head straight for it. But the sound always stopped when she approached. She stared at the trees for quite some time before continuing her walk around the hill again.
The area where the loud drumming sound was coming from.
Jamie on Young’s Hill.
I was with her on the fourth trip around the hill that day and we spotted the culprits on a dead pine snag within the group of pine trees. She didn’t seem too threatened by them, mostly just curious. She watched them as they made their way to the top of the snag and flew out of sight before continuing her perimeter patrol.
The chimpanzees have had a few new avian visitors this past summer, including Hank the hawk and Bernard the eagle. And now, we introduce you to Wanda and Wallace, a pair of pileated woodpeckers. They were the source of the loud drumming sounds.
Wanda
Wallace (notice the red streak on his face)
The pair. This is one of those Where’s Waldo photos except that instead of looking for Waldo, there is a second woodpecker on the trunk of the tree. Can you see it? (Hint: only the beak and lower body are visible on the second woodpecker)
Today is for Brenda Radeke!
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Julie and Karen Olson, in honor of their aunt, Brenda Radeke! Brenda was able to attend our visitation program this last summer and we are so happy to know she continues to follow the lives of the chimpanzees.
Julie and Karen, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees in honoring Brenda! Having the support of all of you means so much to them (and to us!) and we are so grateful for your generous spirits. You truly make a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives!
Your support makes “play faces” an every day part of Burrito’s life in his sanctuary home:
A wonderful Christmas time
The chimps (and the humans!) have been having a really great Christmas, thanks to all our amazing supporters! We had five people sponsor the day for the chimps today, so we owe a big thank you again to Laurel H., Kathleen K., Molly W., Michael H., and Janine B.
Also a huge shout out to Lisa S. and Jayne R. for their decorations that we were able to spread across yesterday‘s and today’s parties! Carol M. sent us seven adorable chimpiñatas which we added to the decor, too. More thank-yous are in order for everyone that sent in new toys which became presents for today’s celebration, including Sharon & Larry C., Diana M., Lisa S., Jayne R., and Helen K. Here’s part of the haul in front of Santa’s sleigh:
Volunteer Patti and supporter Anne also picked up a lot of yummy fresh produce for the party and Patti made amazing roasted pumpkins with quinoa, wild rice, and veggies.
The day began with a small forage of tomatoes, pistachios, and shaved coconut in the tree. Negra was the first out to see what we had set up under (and in) the tree.
Missy snagged most of the tomatoes, and went through the presents, too:
The party then moved into the playroom, where all the food and presents from our friends near and far brought a lot of joy to the chimpanzees!
Annie:
Jamie:
Foxie:
Missy:
Negra:
Jody:
Burrito
As if those photos weren’t enough, here’s a video of the festivities of the day. Thank you again to everyone who has helped bring such happiness to the chimpanzees this Christmas and every day!
