Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee

Foxie moments

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We are privileged to witness so many moments in the chimps’ lives. Moments of courage, contentment, moxie, joy, adventure, anger, fear, curiosity, love…the list goes on. And many, many moments of endearment. They’re fleeting and it brings to mind things like incredible sunsets that happen every day whether or not we’re paying attention, but for a few indescribable seconds they make your heart soar and your eyes pop if you happen to turn your head that way.

I’m notorious for lamenting, feeling utterly blue over the thought of how many beautiful seconds in nature I miss. But I can’t help but feel just as grateful for the moments seen in the chimps’ lives as for those gone unseen. Why? Because it makes me happy to think we don’t know everything their days entail, every special moment they might have with one another or on their own. It gives me hope that they feel a sense of autonomy, some sense of agency over their lives without the humans being privy to it all.

And those moments we do get to share in, even when they’re a blur…so grateful.

Foxie kissing her doll:

Blankets

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It’s the time of year when everyone just wants to curl up with a blanket or ten, chimps included. Earlier today, I posted this photo of Negra to our Facebook page:

This gave me the idea to go through some of our older photos and collect some of the chimps cuddling up. Negra is the biggest blanket enthusiast, but the others enjoy getting comfy too.

Negra:

Jamie:

Jody:

Missy:

Weekend construction

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Just because the construction workers and J.B. and Diana have Sunday off does not mean everyone considers it to be a day of rest. There were still projects that needed completing and thankfully, we have one lady who never rests: Jamie.

After her DYI project on the swinging bridge on Young’s Hill, she came back inside and promptly got to work on a corner of the wall in the chimps’ playroom area. In stealth, spider-chimp mode, she was even able to complete her project with no noise so caregivers were surprised/not surprised to see all she had accomplished. Once discovered I think she was happy that she could really let the hammering and sweeping up begin.

After her hard work yesterday, Jamie has been restful and content all this rainy day. J.B., however, is back on the job. He didn’t really want a full weekend anyway…

In memory of Donald and Shirley Freyermuth

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Today was sponsored by Brian Freyermuth in memory of his parents, Donald and Shirley, on their anniversary. Brian shared this beautiful message about today:

“I am sponsoring today in honor of the memory of my parents, Donald and Shirley Freyermuth, on what would have been their 62d anniversary and my dad’s 83d birthday. While both have passed in recent years, their impact on my life and my wife’s life has been and continues to be immense.   While the values they instilled in me are too numerous to count, the most important one is that opportunity should be available to all no matter the circumstances to which they are born.   While we normally think of opportunity in terms of people, I think it also holds true for the other creatures with which we share this planet, especially our closest brethren the chimpanzees.  I know that they would have loved CSNW and the opportunity to thrive that it gives (and will give!) its current and future residents.  Thanks Mom and Dad!”

Brian, thank you so much for the opportunities you’ve made possible for the chimpanzees (as well as those to come) and the lasting difference you’ve made in their lives. Your parents sound like special people and clearly their legacy is living on through you. All of us at CSNW are wishing you a day filled with joyful and comforting memories.

Jody and her faithful companion, Burrito:

Best of friends, Missy and Annie:

Jody and Missy:

It’s October!!

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It’s October!! And you know what that means…it’s the countdown to Jamie-ween!!!

For those of you who might be new to the blog/sanctuary, Halloween is probably the biggest party of the year at the sanctuary as we go all out to celebrate boss lady, Jamie, and her honorary birthday on the 31st (she turns 41 this year!). One can never plan too early. And it doesn’t hurt that we humans are all pretty crazy about Halloween. At least this human is…

Jamie had other pressing matters to attend to, but Burrito made a “new friend” during a game of chase in the greenhouse with Kelsi today:

“Can I eat this thing?”

It didn’t take him long to realize his “new friend” was a great back scratcher:

The surrounding mountains, hillsides and sanctuary property are turning all the beautiful shades of autumn:

Every season seems to gift the chimpanzees with so much abundance. They are currently enjoying freshly picked pears, apples, and Italian plums from the property orchard, and a new treat of freshly harvested Lemmon’s willow which seems to be a new favorite.

J.B.’s been working hard getting ready for our new bovine family members to arrive and has been making some adjustments to the fencing around the orchard. Our deer neighbor families are thrilled to finally have temporary access to all the pears they can possibly eat:

All the beautiful wild roses that Jamie, in particular, loves to eat during the summer have now turned to a bounty of rosehips:

Kelsi captured these lovely photos of Jody, who seems to have become the self-appointed sentry and guardian, posting herself at the opening to Young’s Hill where she takes in the early morning view of their outdoor habitat, scanning her family’s home for any signs of trouble or danger and watching over them all:

Look at that gorgeous eye healing up!

It really is such a magical, beautiful time of year. This time of harvest, full of so much abundance. Not just the local bounty of food and beauty available for the chimps to enjoy each day, but you. Every day we look around and see the abundance you make possible.

Phase I of the expansion of the chimp house literally grows by leaps and bounds each day. We’re still reeling from the overwhelming generosity and support you provided during our Summer Biddin’ online auction and the recent Giving Day for Apes event! You set up fundraisers on Facebook for the chimps, participate in your employee giving programs, supply us with all the in-kind gifts we could need to care for and provide entertainment and comfort for the chimps through our Amazon Wish List, you share your love for the chimps with others, and you show up, here, in this online space, every day to see what the chimps got up to, learn about them, and honor each of them for the amazing individuals they are.

In so many ways, you stand together with us not only in providing Jamie, Burrito, Jody, Foxie, Annie, Missy and Negra with the abundance of hope, love, and home, but also as we prepare to grow this special family in welcoming others in need of sanctuary. From our hearts, thank you for making the chimps’ lives rich beyond belief. And the lives of so many humans as well.