Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee sanctuary

In honor of Diana

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This special day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees was sponsored by Candy Crannell in honor of Diana Goodrich (yep, our Diana! 🙂 ):

“Jane Goodall said, “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” This is Diana and her devotion to the CSNW 10. You are very much loved and appreciated for what you do. Thank you.”

Candy, thank you so much for honoring Diana today and for contributing to the lives’ of the chimpanzees and the cattle who are so dear to her heart and for whom she works so tirelessly to help ensure that all their days forward are filled with hope, love, home and sanctuary.

Today is Diana’s birthday! She isn’t one who likes a fuss made about her, but in a form true to her heart, she set up a GiveBIG Washington fundraising page inviting you to celebrate along with her (and another amazing supporter, Monica Best!) by honoring the beloved ten chimpanzees and four bovines who call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest home, and if you’re able, help however you can to raise funds for their life-long care.

Happiest of birthdays to you, Diana! From our hearts, thank you for your unwavering, inspiring, heartfelt dedication to the absolute well-being of Annie, Missy, Jamie, Foxie, Jody, Negra, Burrito, Mave, Honey B, Willy B, Betsy, Nutmeg, Honey and Meredith! I don’t think a day goes by that we don’t feel grateful to our bones for you and J.B. and all you do to ensure these chimp and bovine people we love so very much have the best lives possible.

Now may we all take a moment to celebrate someone whose resiliency and mere being inspires Diana’s heart, Queen Neggie:

What Friends Are For

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As some of you have read yesterday, Foxie went through a medical exam. Going under anesthesia can take a lot out of a chimpanzee, but Foxie is fierce and strong despite her small stature. By the time dinner was ready yesterday, Foxie was up, alert, eating, and ready to go back to her family. We decided to keep her by herself overnight just in case. When we arrived to the sanctuary in the morning, it was clear she was more than ready to go back with the group.

The first person to greet her was Jody of course! And since then, they have almost virtually been inseparable.

Jody made sure that for most of the day, Foxie was within eyesight or earshot of Foxie. It’s hard to see, but if you look closely between the ladder and the pillar at the top of the platform, you can see a little fuzz of a shoulder. That’s Foxie! With Jody resting right below her of course!

Jody was available nearby in case Foxie needed her. It’s hard to tell in this photo, but Jody (front) is keeping an eye on Foxie (back).

Foxie and Jody have such as strong bond with one another. It’s one relatively not talked about much as say Missy and Annie. They continuously motivate each other, lookout for each other, and just genuinely enjoy each other’s company.

May you find yourself the Foxie to your Jody or the Jody to your Foxie in life.

Bonus photos of Annie performing her famous “bird calls” and Negra peering out onto Young’s Hill after hearing the cattle call for Anthony for their daily care.

The Honey B Chonk

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Chimpanzees are intelligent, emotional, and complex. They deserve the utmost respect.

This is their home and their retirement, and it’s their right to be however they want to be. This fact makes me appreciate how chimpanzees can be not only relaxed but also downright goofy. When they group is in a playful mood, even the most stoic of chimps can be a total dork. For us caregivers, stopping to appreciate these weird moments helps to keeps things lighthearted and reminds us what this sanctuary thing is all about. It’s perfectly okay to laugh along with them.

In the past, we’ve highlighted some of the comical new behaviors that the chimpanzees invent in their spare time (e.g., Annie’s and Honey B’s waistbands, Willy B’s slinky moves, Missy’s choice of grooming tools, Mave’s toe socks and Jamie’s flamboyant scarves). Of course, none of these creations are purely spontaneous and random. Even the most innovative aspects of their behavior are influenced by both their current surroundings and past experiences.

Honey B’s behavior seems to be especially shaped by her previous and ongoing interactions with humans. As one of the more inquisitive and interactive chimpanzees at the sanctuary, she likes to be involved in whatever her caregivers are doing and seems to enjoy making us happy. It’s in her nature to be helpful. We try not to bother the chimps with unnecessary requests, but we do have to ask them for certain favors that help us caregivers to do our jobs. On a daily basis, for example, we ask the chimpanzees to shift from one enclosure to another so that we can safely go inside and clean up. They usually do this without any coaxing because there is something more interesting to do elsewhere. Sometimes, however, there are objects or materials blocking the hydraulic doors that prevent us from remotely operating them and therefore delay shifting. In those moments, we can usually ask a passing chimpanzee to kindly remove the obstruction. Honey B, however, exceeds the expectations.

A few weeks ago, the three chimps who live in the new wing were shifting out of the upstairs Mezzanine and into the new front rooms and chute on the ground floor. There was a tangled slinky that was preventing Kelsi from remotely shutting the door behind them. We asked Honey B to remove the toy, which by then resembled a bird’s nest, and she eagerly scrambled to disentangle the entire thing before tossing it through the open doorway. Then, for safe measure, Honey B collected nearby slinkies (which weren’t tangled and weren’t blocking the door) and chucked them downstairs as well.

In the following weeks, she has surprised us all by continuing to throw available enrichment items through doorways before they we close them. Every morning she flips the previous night’s blankets and night bags through the lower-level doors before heading up to the Mezzanine for breakfast, and she has even started to hurl larger toys down the incline of the chute and out into her group’s alcove of Young’s Hill (now known as “The Courtyard”). With the input of a few enthusiastic and amused volunteers, I have unofficially named this behavior The Chonk. I’m not sure how well this name fits the behavior since the term chonk is usually applied to overweight cats on the internet, but the sound of the word makes me chuckle. (Thanks, Elizabeth C!)

I would love to know exactly what Honey B is thinking as she yeets enrichment out onto the Hill, but I can only speculate. I sincerely hope that, whatever her motivation may be, that she’s having as much fun as I am.

Keep on chonkin’, Honey B.

In memory and celebration, from Marya

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This day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and cattle was sponsored by Marya Barey in honor of her parents’ love of nature and animals:

“My parents were both nature lovers and shared that love with me from a very young age. I am very grateful for this aspect of my early experiences and all the times we shared talking about animals and in nature together.”

Thank you so much, Marya, for reaching out to make a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives in memory of your parents. It’s such a beautiful continuance of their legacy through your own heart and we’re so happy to share in honoring them here today. They sound like such lovely humans.

We’d also like to extend the happiest (of slightly belated) birthday wishes to you and hope your celebration was somehow made even brighter from the chimps’ Love a Chimpanzee Day party. Happy Birthday!

Burrito and Jody:

Betsy:

her son, Nutmeg:

It’s Love a Chimpanzee Day!

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It’s that time of year again, when thanks to the creation of chimp friend extraordinaire, Monica Best, we get to have a party in celebration of chimpanzees and our love for them! Monica sponsors this official/unofficial day each year in their honor. And this year, Monica is graciously sharing her incredible story and a heartfelt request for the chimps who bring so much to all our lives:

“Today is my favorite day of the year….nope, I’m not talking about my birthday…it’s almost LOVE A CHIMPANZEE DAY! Nine, or ten (we can’t quite decide) years ago, after my second battle with cancer and an uncertain future, I sponsored the first Love A Chimpanzee Day for the chimps at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, and all the chimps in the world.  I wanted to make sure there was a day to honor chimpanzees everywhere, but especially my favorite chimps at CSNW, who kept me going through the numerous cancer battles (I’ve had to battle cancer two more times, and have dealt with horrible side effects from cancer related medication). The chimps gave me so much strength, for each new battle I faced….As my thank you to these amazing beings, I try to give back to them (as often as I can) and the efforts to provide them with a wonderful life, filled with love, first class care, enrichment and lots of tasty food.  

I know times are difficult for everyone this year, but I still felt the chimps should be celebrated…not only for them, but for the joy they bring to so many…and we could certainly use a bit of joy right now. This year, I have teamed up with one of my favorite human primates, Diana Goodrich, in an effort to help our favorite non human primates. From now until May 6th, Diana and I will be working hard to raise funds for the 10 chimps that mean so much to us both. Again, I know times are difficult for so many right now, but if you are able to donate, even a small amount, to LOVE A CHIMPANZEE DAY or GiveBIG Washington, it would mean the world to us. You can donate to our GiveBig Washington page or directly to the sanctuary. There has been a lot of controversy, as of late, as to what constitutes a true sanctuary. I can tell you that CSNW is the epitome of a true sanctuary. CSNW exists FOR the chimps and their needs. The incredible staff and volunteers are there for the chimps, and the chimps’ well being is always the priority. Please, if you can donate to help the ten most amazing chimps, it will be so greatly appreciated.

 Again, you can donate through the GiveBIG Washington page or directly to the sanctuary…in the note section you can just say it’s for Love A Chimpanzee Day. Thank you so much for the love and support so many of you give to the organizations around the world that are helping chimps, in sanctuaries and in the wild. I truly believe that I am still here because of the Cle Elum Ten. So, please, if you can, help me honor and care for Negra, Jody, Missy, Foxie, Burrito, Jamie, Annie, Willy B, Honey B and Mave. Thank you. <3<3<3″

Monica, from our hearts, thank you so very much for all you do to help ensure the chimpanzees (and so many animals) have the lives they deserve. And for so compassionately sharing your story and your heart, giving us all the gift of knowing there is strength, gratitude, inspiration and celebration to be found even, if not especially, in the midst of difficult and uncertain times.

Happy, happy birthday, Monica!! We hope it’s the best one yet and are so happy to celebrate with you! We hope you are taking a cue from Negra and doing something exciting like walking around your yard with a pineapple in mouth.

Happy Love a Chimpanzee Day, everyone!!

Burrito:

Jody:

Mave:

Honey B and Willy B:

Foxie:

Jamie:

Annie and Missy:

In Elaine’s memory

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As we celebrate Earth Day, how wonderful to begin the day with this day of sanctuary sponsored by Jackie Pordon, in memory of her mom, Elaine Pordoll, on her birthday:

“My mom loved all animals big & small. She would have been so interested in the Cle Elum seven and the new additions to the group. A big thank you to all who care for them.”

What a wonderful day to get to remember your mom and celebrate her kind spirit. Thank you, too, Jackie, for all you do for our sanctuary family as you carry on your mom’s legacy. We’re hoping today finds your heart comforted by your memories and love of your mom. Thanks for allowing us to celebrate her with you.

Jody:

Honey, Betsy, Meredith, and Nutmeg:

Jamie, Missy and Burrito:

Honey B and Mave:

Willy B:

Jamie, Missy, Jody, Annie and Burrito:

Foxie and Missy:

Burrito:

Foxie:

A Post About Nothing

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It’s a suspiciously quiet day here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. But with the chimpanzees here, being suspiciously quiet means they are usually napping in their favorite spots around the sanctuary, or grooming with their partner of choice. (So really not that suspicious.)

When he wasn’t outside in the Chute area, Willy B spent most of his day relaxing.

While also looking devilishly handsome, of course.

And when he wasn’t relaxing, he was grooming with Mave and Honey B.

Though Honey B participated in many grooming sessions with Mave and Willy B, she also spent a considerable amount of time outside in the Chute trying to either spy on her chimpanzee neighbors, or trying to catch a glimpse of the cattle on the pasture.

I, unfortunately, wasn’t able to get much photos today of the Group of Seven. Jamie was very adamant about me not taking photos of anybody while she was around. I was able to sneak this one of Missy though, after asking Missy if it was alright with her.