Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
Below is a video of Negra and Missy playing in front of one of the windows that will soon be replaced with chimp-proof glass thanks to LUSH and the winter blog fundraising.
Update on our 3-more window Anniversary Fundraising soon – some exciting news to share!
Today’s weather seems like an April Fool’s Day joke! See photo:
It’s been snowing all day. It’s the first time the greenhouse has been tested with a snowstorm. The chimps have been out there all day, despite the complete lack of sun. J.B. just came by and reported that it is 66 degrees out there! And Burrito went out and played chase with him.
This morning, volunteer Denice made sure the chimps had plenty of snow to eat. Annie was appreciative.
Negra enjoyed an afternoon nesting / vine chewing session.
while Jamie used a vine to work on some project of her own making (with a boot by her side)
We decided it would be fun to celebrate April Fools’ Day with the chimps today. While we didn’t throw a full-fledged party, we did try to switch things up and do some wacky, unpredictable stuff. To start, we served dinner for breakfast. (Their traditional breakfast of smoothie and fresh fruit will be served for dinner, of course.) Negra, especially, loved the rice with apple puree in flour tortillas, and everyone was beside themselves when we brought out night bags at the end of the meal! Later, we thought we’d take a midmorning nap with the chimps. While Burrito thought playing was a much better idea, Jamie came over right away and enjoyed some quiet time with us.
As I write this, Jackie and volunteer Pam are preparing a dinner (or breakfast?) of banana smoothie, pears, oranges, and peanut butter waffles, and the chimps are keeping an eager eye on the process through the kitchen window. The Cle Elum Seven’s first (celebrated) April Fools’ Day seems to have been a success!
Studies have found that adult chimpanzees (like adult humans) don’t play as frequently as young chimps. Annie and Missy have been too busy playing to read those studies.
Happy Birthday, Chris! Thank you for sponsoring today for your birthday. What a great gift for the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees!
check out the Sponsor-a-Day calendar on our Donate page.
Yesterday, we sent out a letter from Sarah to e-news subscribers about what sanctuary means for Negra and asking people to contribute to our anniversary fundraising. Share the letter by emailing it to friends, sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, etc. You can do all of that from the letter posted on our site here.
Be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter if you aren’t already. If you think you’ve signed up before and are still not receiving newsletters, email me.
The anniversary fundraising is off to a solid start. I’ve heard from a few more people with great fundraising ideas. I’m very excited! Margaret has already set up a Firstgiving page. She’s giving a card featuring a painting she has done of one of the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees for donations of just $30. Keep the ideas and support coming and together let’s give Negra a little more sunshine.
