Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee

The pant-hoot vs the pant-grunt, as demonstrated by Burrito and Jody

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Sometimes it takes a little bit of play-by-play commentary to understand chimpanzee behavior..

In this video you can see Burrito displaying and pant-hooting. A chimpanzee displays when they want to look tough and intimidating to others. You will notice Burrito’s hair is erect (making him look fluffy) and he stands bipedal to make himself appear larger. A pant-hoot is a low and breathy call that rises into a louder scream-like call, and it often accompanies a display.

This particular display happened shortly after a small fight between the chimpanzees had just ended. As a fight winds down, the chimps tend to separate and let off the last little bit of “steam” they built up during the fight.

After Burrito’s display, you will see Jody approaching him and doing a lot of submissive behavior. You can see she stays low in a crouch and bobs up and down when approaching him. You can also hear her try to placate his building display with deep rapid pant-grunts. I think J.B. mentioned a while ago, but but this kind of submissive behavior isn’t necessarily a sign that Jody deeply respects Burrito, but more that she wants to avoid getting smacked during his charging display.

HOOT! Sponsor Tracy Headley

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This is the second in a series of blog posts highlighting sponsors of the HOOT! 2017 Spring Fling gala. You can see the first in the series here.

We are sharing HOOT! 2017 sponsors so everyone can get to know the people behind the generosity.

So, today is all about Tracy!

Tracy Headley is a Happy Hour Sponsor, which is fitting, because she brings happiness to us at the sanctuary.

She first became involved with Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest when her friend Shawn (on the left in the photo above) invited Tracy and her partner Bruce (on the right in the photo) to the sanctuary. Shawn had won a visit to CSNW at another auction and thought Tracy and Bruce would be interested in joining him. In Tracy’s words, “That day started my love affair with seven unique and wonderful chimps.”

In more of her words, Tracy shares what that love affair has been all about:

The blog posts have allowed me to watch the chimps grow to live a life closer to what they should have lived all along.  This past year I have delighted in watching Annie, at 42 years old, discover her moxie. To see the look on her beautiful & serene face as she explores Young’s Hill-joy!  I have learned so much about chimps, and these seven in particular, from the wonderful blog posts.

Tracy is generous throughout the year, always giving donations for chimpanzee birthdays and other fundraising drives, but here is why Tracy specifically chooses to support sanctuary events with her donations:

This is our 5th year attending, and 4th year as a sponsor.  I try to budget for HOOT!, and my sponsorship is part of my budget.  It allows me to give some of my donation early, hoping that it can help with some of the party planning costs.  Plus, it is the best party of the year.

I asked Tracy who her favorite chimpanzee is, and I just love her answer:

I want to be more like Foxie.  She is fun, silly, intuitive, and a loyal friend.  I LOVE Foxie. Really there is something to love and admire about all seven.  I think I am more like Jody.  I like things orderly, and I care deeply about the well being of my family and friends. 

Here’s a photo of Foxie and Jody out exploring together.

We agree, Tracy does care deeply about the well being of her friends, and that shows in the support that she has given to the sanctuary over the years.

Thank you, Tracy, for being such a great friend to all of the chimpanzees and the humans at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest!

Curling up with a good book

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Humans aren’t the only ones that like to curl up with a good book on a rainy morning.

The chimps spent the early part of the day on Young’s Hill, but before long the rain had them retreating back inside to the cozy greenhouse and playroom. Jamie returned to find a new book, one of many sent in recently by a generous supporter, and she immediately gathered all of her favorite things so that she could flip through her book from the comfort of a good nest.

The only problem – the nest was too comfortable.

Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier until she couldn’t fight it anymore, and she drifted off to sleep.

Her new book would have to wait.

HOOT! Sponsors Pam Lehnert & Marc Warner

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This is the first in a series of blog posts highlighting sponsors of the HOOT! 2017 Spring Fling gala.

We thought it would be fun for everyone to get to know the people behind the generosity and learn how they became involved in helping Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

Pam Lehnert and Marc Warner are Happy Hour Sponsors (learn more about sponsorship levels and details for individuals here).

Here is Pam’s description of how and why she and Marc became involved in the sanctuary:

In June, 2008, there was an article in the local Cle Elum/Roslyn paper announcing an open house for a soon-to-open chimpanzee sanctuary. Marc and I immediately made plans to attend, as we thought this was likely the only opportunity we would have to see this private facility. Little did we know that this would be the first of many trips to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest as we became involved as volunteers – and that the names Negra, Jamie, Missy, Annie, Jody, Foxie and Burrito would become part of our extended “family tree”!

Having a home in the area, we were fortunate to be able to get to know not only “The Cle Elum Seven”, but the wonderful humans involved with this organization as well. One fateful night, J.B. and Diana were at our cabin having dinner when the subject of doing a fundraising event in Seattle came up. After taking a deep breath, I admitted to Diana that I had some experience with auction events – and as they say – the rest is history and we have been involved with CSNW events ever since.

I always say that the chimps brought us to the sanctuary, but it is in large part the staff and volunteers who have kept us involved. Their willingness to share their knowledge and selfless dedication never ceases to amaze us. Marc and I feel lucky to have been a part of this special group from the beginning and look forward to supporting Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest during this exciting time of growth… and further expanding our family tree.

Pam glossed over the countless hours that she has spent making CSNW events what they are. From planning to decorating to editing to organizing, Pam has been an integral part of events, and she and Marc have also helped the sanctuary in many other ways too, including some back-breaking physical work, creative building, food preparation for humans and chimpanzees alike, and many, many other endeavors.

They also have a very friendly rescued pup named Toby:

Big thanks to Pam and Marc for choosing to sponsor the HOOT! 2017 Spring Fling and helping to make this event a success before it even happens.

See all current sponsors on the HOOT! 2017 event page and find out how you too can be a sponsor!

 

Happy Birthday, Lisa!

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We have a lovely accompanying sponsorship for today’s day of sanctuary! This special gift is for Lisa Stuverud herself (sponsor of today’s earlier gift in memory of Linda Vizzare) from her husband, Rich, with this touching message:

“In honor of my wife on her birthday because I think this Chimpanzee Sanctuary has saved her heart and soul and that’s an amazing birthday gift for us all.”

Rich, what a sweet gift. We’re so happy to be celebrating with you all today and can’t thank you enough for including the chimpanzees in this day of family that means so much to you both.

Happy Birthday, Lisa! All of us here are wishing you a joyful day of celebrating life, family and loved ones. Thank you so much for all you do to make sure the chimpanzees are able to celebrate the same things. And here are some birthday hoots and smiles from your pals. Have a beautiful day, Lisa! We’re so grateful you both are part of our chimp family.

Burrito:

Foxie:

Jamie:

Missy (well, she’s smiling inside 😉 ):

In memory of Linda Vizzare

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by the chimps’ long-time friend, Lisa Stuverud, in memory of her sister-in-law, Linda Vizzare. Lisa and her husband, Rich, have been a big part of creating a life of sanctuary for the chimps and helping them celebrate each day. Lisa shared this beautiful message about Linda:

“Today, I’m honoring my late sister-in-law Linda who I miss very much (she loved Burrito)…this was always our day to celebrate…and I’m choosing to share it with the sanctuary because everyday since becoming aware of the Cle Elum 7 and everyone involved with CSNW…I have witnessed the ability to overcome and rise above, to appreciate every warm sunbeam and ripe tomato, to have a selfless passion to help others and I feel that I am a better person and my dear sister-in-law would be very proud.”

Lisa, thank you for including the chimps in your family and for doing something so beautiful as to ease your heart by sharing your love with them and adding to their lives. We hope all the joy that comes to them today brings you peace, comfort and joy as you remember Linda and celebrate all she meant to you. Our thoughts are with you and your family today.

For Linda,

Today’s happenings

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Hands down, today is the loveliest day we’ve seen in quite some time. The air is fresh and the with only a slight breeze. The chimps have been enjoying themselves with a variety of choices today, from roaming Young’s Hill throughout the day to nesting and grooming in the toasty sun-warmed greenhouse, to crazy games in the playroom.

Foxie began her day by tossing her new France Dora doll on her back (this is how chimp mamas carry their young) and heading up Young’s Hill for a morning stroll:

Missy has been asking for weeks to have the barn doors at the end of the playroom open so she can see if the garden popped up overnight yet. We usually give her a quick peek, but it’s still too cold to leave them open for more than a few minutes. But today was the first time it was actually warm enough to leave them open for about an hour so the chimps enjoyed sitting in the sun and watching Keri begin garden preparation!

Missy took a break from garden duty to head over for a game of ghost tug o’ war with me. You know that game, right? Put a blanket over your head and play tug o’ war? And then stand on your head, of course (Missy, not me!).

Of course, Jamie made sure to supervise Keri with all those tools (someone had to):

Jody enjoyed snoozing in a sun puddle:

And I think dear, sweet Annie summed up the day best for all of us as she closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sun:

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