Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee sanctuary

Troll Hockey

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I played a little troll hockey with Foxie this morning. It’s hard to say because it was a close game, but I’m pretty sure she won. 🙂

Happy Anniversary to Dan and Peggy Smith!

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Today’s sponsor-a-day is from Dan and Peggy Smith. Dan and Peggy stopped by the sanctuary Sunday to drop off TONS of produce and super soft blankets for the chimps. Peggy sent me a little note that I wanted to share with you:

“The Cle Elum Seven became a part of our lives since we were “introduced” to them at the Veg-fest in Seattle in 2009. We chose to sponsor Jody after finding out she was the least selected of the group. It is interesting to see each one’s personality develop within the group and become a family unit, and to see Jody slowly start to join in with some of the fun. They have had difficult times and I am so happy to see them laugh and play games, or to just make a bed and rest peacefully. The work being done by the people involved at the sanctuary has made such a big difference in these seven lives. We really appreciate the good work you are doing. That is why the best gift we could think of for our wedding anniversary was to give a gift of food and blankets to our favorite group. We had so much fun shopping for the food, thinking of each chimp and how they would enjoy it. Being able to share with them will make this a very memorable anniversary for us.
Love to all,
Dan & Peggy”

Happy, happy anniversary, Dan and Peggy, and thanks for all you do for Jody and all the Cle Elum Seven! Jody is a very lucky gal to have such great Pals!

Happy Birthday, Neggie!

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Today is a very special, albeit emotional, day for all of us. Not only does it mark 3 years since the chimps’ arrived at their sanctuary home, the start of their new life, but it is Negra’s honorary birthday, so celebrations abound!

We started out the day with two of Negra’s favorite things: bread (yummy toasted apple cinnamon bread) and night bags. I don’t think there is a more perfect start of a day for Negra. J.B. hit the nail right on the head with our 3rd Anniversary Post when he said that when Negra receives her night bag, in that moment, everything is right in the world. She blinks her eyes in anticipation and is just so, so happy. I have to say it’s my favorite part of each day, as well. Here she is getting her unexpected “Night” bag this morning:

Supporters Dick and Robbi Brown faithfully brought lots of new toys for the party and we decorated the outdoor area with lots and lots of “Happy Birthday” streamers. We set up a lunch forage which consisted of mini bell peppers, lettuce (another one of Negra’s favorite foods), bananas, cherries, and pomegranates!

Negra went for the lettuce first (she’s got her priorities straight):

but she was also very excited about the mini sweet bell peppers:

Annie with her bananas. She had banana mush all over her face!

Pomegranates were a really exciting treat too, since they are out of season and we haven’t gotten them in a while. Here’s Foxie shoveling one in her mouth:

And Burrito, doing the same:

I love how red his lips get when he eats pomegranates!

Here’s the birthday lady gazing out towards Young’s Hill:

And of course the celebration is not over! Tonight, they are having corn on the cob, sweet potato fries, more bread, juice, and of course, as it has approximately 1,095 times, the day will end with another night bag. Thanks so much to all that contributed to the party!

Today in yoga class…

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Between Jody and Annie’s “reclined spinal twists” poses and Negra and Jody’s “happy baby poses“, we must have some very zen chimps around here. I caught both Negra and Jody simultaneously “practicing” this morning in the greenhouse.

Negra’s happy baby:

I like to think of this next pose as a “reclined” (or laying down) lotus pose:

Jody’s dramatic reclined spinal twist:

“Baby” steps

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Back in February, we witnessed Foxie build her first true blanket nest. It is still a rare occasion and is usually short-lived, but she is getting there. She made a little more progress today. It seems having a new(ish) troll doll with hair helps (or several), as well as caregivers handing her an endless supply of blankets.

As we approach our 3rd anniversary (June 13!), her progress is only fitting considering two years ago (on the one-year anniversary of the chimps’ arrival to the sanctuary) Diana and I witnessed Foxie lay on her first blanket. As inappropriate as the phrase “baby steps” may seem since I am referring to a fully grown adult chimp, her steps towards nest building are small, but priceless, no less.