Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee

A Christmas Miracle

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It was almost a year without Christmas.

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OK, that’s not true – but Christmas was nearly delayed by a few days. The Cascade Mountains here in Washington received more snow in the last week than in all of last winter. Interstate 90, the only direct route between the sanctuary and Seattle, was closed for days due to avalanches in the mountain pass, and many of our volunteers were stuck on the other side. Thankfully, the highway was reopened last night and volunteer Patti was able to make it over this morning with the chimps’ Christmas dinner.

I don’t know if that qualifies as a Christmas miracle, but the support we’ve been receiving over the last month has certainly been miraculous. Packages have been arriving for weeks from generous donors, some long time supporters of the Cle Elum Seven and some who just discovered the sanctuary through stories about Foxie and her dolls in the UK, Germany, and Australia. You can guess what our newest supporters sent for Foxie! And our dedicated volunteers have been braving some treacherous conditions on the pass to reach the sanctuary. We are so grateful to everyone that helped make this a special holiday season for the chimps.

This Christmas was filled with great food, lots of boots and dolls, and a few surprises as well. Check out the video to see for yourself!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

Thank you, Karen!

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We are so thankful to also have Karen Bugni sponsoring today for the chimpanzees! Karen shared that she wanted to sponsor today as “A gift for the chimps!” It’s immensely moving to witness how much care and compassion these seven special souls inspire and we are thrilled to see them surrounded by so much love.

Karen, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees and wanting to give them this special Christmas gift! We are so grateful to you and hope you know that you make a difference in their lives. All of us here at CSNW wish you the happiest of holidays!

Foxie with a snow-snack:

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Every year it seems the love for these seven amazing chimpanzees grows more and more and this year is no different. You all have stocked the chimp house shelves for chimps and humans alike with items we needed from our Wishlist, sent donations, and boxes and boxes of gifts for the chimpanzees to have on Christmas day. You are amazing! We are immensely grateful to each and every one of you for your support of these seven special chimpanzees and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving them lives of love, comfort and celebration. From all of the primates here at CSNW, Merry Everything and a Happy Always! And be sure to tune in later today for the chimpanzees’ holiday festivities!

Happy Birthday, Laurel!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Laurel Hecht! Laurel is celebrating her 60th birthday today and generously wanted to share her special day with the chimpanzees! We are always touched when people choose to make a difference in the chimps’ lives and when you add in it being a birthday and Christmas, it’s all the more inspiring.

Laurel, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees today and sharing your celebration with them! All of us here at the sanctuary wish you the happiest of birthdays and a beautiful holiday season!

I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if visions of food are dancing in Burrito’s head today…

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We have another generous Sponsor-a-Day coming up later this morning and of course, the chimp house is all a flurry in preparation for the chimps’ Christmas celebration today so be sure to check back later!

Lunch With the Chimps

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The chimpanzees eat three meals a day, and at most mealtimes they’re asked to shift out of a certain area so we can close off that area to clean. (There’s nothing quite like food to motivate!) Lunch is an exception to this rule. Since we don’t do any cleaning at lunch, the chimps have free run of the entire sanctuary during the meal. The server chooses an area to serve, and the chimps come to that area to get their food, but they can then take their food wherever they choose.

Today volunteer caregiver Becca started serving lunch in the greenhouse, but the chimps quickly let her know it was too cold, so she came inside back inside the building to serve in the front rooms. Most of the chimps tend to stay put throughout the meal, but Missy – always on the move – likes to show up at the beginning of each “course”, grab her serving, and take it off to enjoy in the playroom.

Today’s lunch consisted of tomatoes, bell peppers, celery, and green onions.

Winter Beauty

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We’ve had our first real snowstorm this week. Here are some scenery shots:

The bench outside of the greenhouse, used for observing the chimpanzees during summer months when the greenhouse panels are removed:

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Negra’s cabin (the triangular structure) and the bamboo and climbing structures in the background:

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The lexan-enclosed human area of the greenhouse:

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The snow falls off the roof of the greenhouse and creates snow banks that require frequent shoveling:

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This is what I saw Missy doing most of the day:

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For a quick video of Jamie’s snow-eating technique, take a look at our instagram account (@ChimpSanctuary)

 

Today is for the Taylor Family!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Meg Lunnum in honor of her family, the Taylors! Meg is a wonderful long-time friend of the chimpanzees and humans alike and she shared this beautiful message for her family:

“My little brother, Alan, who chose to be vegan. My sister-in-law, Angie, who is my yoga mentor and an instructor for Mindful Yoga that includes military veterans, and my two nephews, Harrison and Mitchell, who will grow up to be the most amazing persons thanks to their parents! And, hopefully, their Auntie. I love you all!!!!”

Meg, thank you so much for always holding the chimpanzees in your heart and including them in your family! We so appreciate all you do to make their lives, and the lives of so many other animal beings, better.

Alan, Angie, Harrison and Mitchell, you each sound like amazing people, just like Meg! All of us here at CSNW wish you the happiest of holidays! Thank you so much for caring about the chimp. We are so grateful to know how many wonderful friends the chimpanzees have. Even including some from the most unlikely of places…

Foxie and her troll friend:

Troll doll whispering to Foxie

Jamie and her boot friend:

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Negra and her blanket friend:

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The right ones

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After the playroom is cleaned each morning, we put out a basket full of enrichment. We try to ensure that the chimps are given an assortment of their favorite things. Trolls and Doras have to be included to keep Foxie happy, and for Jamie there must be cowboy boots.

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But we can’t always predict which pair she’ll want. Her obsessions can be fleeting. One day the whole universe revolves around a particular pair; the next day they’re old news. It’s hard to keep up. Sometimes it seems that she’s not even sure which pair sits at the top of her list.

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But you can tell when she’s found the right ones. She lets out a low moan of approval, similar to the groans and sighs we humans emit when we settle into the couch with a drink in hand or climb into a warm bed at the end of a long day. It’s a sign of contentedness, an expression of comfortable familiarity.

Whatever else might happen, at least at that moment everything is right with the world.

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