Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Cle Elum 7

Be here now

by

The most invaluable lesson I think I have learned from working with chimpanzees is this: what matters is this moment, right now. The Cle Elum 7 had already lived so very many different lives before coming here to sanctuary and so much of that history is unthinkable, unconscionable to my mind. Not only have they survived difficult lives but they have also thrived beyond my imagination. Rather than languishing over the dark years of the past they enjoy the gift of freedom of today. I believe this is one of the reasons they, and so many other chimpanzees in captivity, can experience such a transformation under the right care. My hope is that all great apes in captivity will know such care. I consider it an honor to be a part of this moment. Thank you to everyone who makes it possible for us to be here now.

Negra and Jody foraging for breakfast on Young’s Hill this morning:
web_Jody_Negra_walk_through_grass_YH_ek_IMG_4186

Jody on her own on the hill:
web_Jody_stand_in_grass_look_at_camera_YH_ek_IMG_4188

Negra on the hill:
web_Negra_stand_in_grass_look_off_in_distance_YH_ek_IMG_4197

Burrito enjoying his breakfast beside Negra’s cabin:
web_Burrito_sit_in_Negra's_cabin_look_to_left_YH_ek_IMG_4243

Playing with Foxie

by

If you’re playing with Foxie, chances are there’s a doll involved. She often initiates play with a caregiver by passing us one or more of her dolls. We’re then expected to entertain her by acting as silly as possible. Caregivers Diana and Debbie filmed one such play session yesterday.

Chimpanzees are kind of amazing

by

If we’re being honest, we have to admit that chimpanzees are cooler than us in many ways. Some of the chimpanzee attributes I’m most envious of are their superior strength, their amazing feet, and their flexibility, as demonstrated below.

Annie:

web_Annie_nest_self-groom_GH_ek_IMG_4001

web_Annie_nest_self-groom_look_at_camera_GH_ek_IMG_4002

Jody:

web_Jody_sit_on_deck_leg_up_hold_foot_GH_ek_IMG_3954

web_Jody_sit_on_deck_leg_up_hold_groom_foot_GH_ek_MG_3952

Take Action Tuesday: Help save chimpanzees in Cameroon!

by

EOA take action tuesday

A U.S. company called Herakles Farms is planning to begin a palm oil plantation in Cameroon near the border of Nigeria. Chimpanzees and gorillas live in these forests, and in fact the most endangered subspecies of each ape are living in that region. The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee population (a.k.a. Elliot’s chimpanzee) is estimated to be approximately 3,500 individuals remaining. The Cross River gorilla population is estimated to be fewer than 300 individuals.

Endangered chimpanzees, forest elephants, and monkeys all live within the Herakles Farms concession. These already diminishing populations need our help!

Chimpanzee, Nigeria

This form letter has been put together to make it very easy for us to lend our voice in support of the apes, courtesy of Greenpeace. Although it is very convenient to just fill in your name and email and hit “send”—it really helps to make your letter unique. Tell the CEO of Herakles Farms why it is important to you that their plans for a palm oil plantation in Cameroon be canceled immediately.

We know from the plight of orangutans in Southeast Asia that palm oil directly negatively affects their population, sometimes driving orangutans and other forest dwellers to starvation when their homes are slashed and burned to the ground to make room for the plantations. In your day-to-day life, try to be a conscious consumer and avoid palm oil where you can. You can help be an advocate for apes every day by taking this extra effort to check the ingredient list of products you buy!

After sending your letter, take a few minutes to watch the second installment of a video interview with Dr. Debra Durham, where she talks a little bit about her conservation efforts with wild chimpanzees. Her current project is called Compassion in Action Mushroom Project (it’s a really innovative plan to help protect wild chimpanzees—be sure to check it out!)

Boots

by

Jamie isn’t the only chimp that loves boots here at the sanctuary! Every once in awhile, we notice someone else inspecting the boots when Jamie sets them down for a moment.

Jody:
web Jody forage hand in red boot valentines day party PR IMG_3318

web Jody lie on back inspect boot nest playroom PR IMG_6878

Negra:
web_negra_forage_boot_hoedown_party_GH_dm_IMG_2760

Missy: (and Diana)
missy and boot

The Rainy Day

by

The weather has been volatile today as you can see by the clouds menacing the sanctuary with the promise of rain.

web_rain_clouds_over_the_barn_ls_IMG_3995

What better way to spend a rainy, blustery Sunday than curled up in a nest with some of your favorite things? I certainly can’t argue with that!

Annie nesting in the greenhouse:
web_Annie_crop_nest_on_platform_GH_ek_IMG_4000

Missy in a nest on the catwalk in the playroom:
web_Missy sit in pre-made nest PR IMG_3040

Jamie inside with her boots:
web_Jamie lay nest cuddle boots front room 1 IMG_1673

Jody peeking out from a nest on the catwalk:
web_Jody lay down in pre-made nest PR IMG_3044

Negra from underneath the blankets:
web_Negra lay down in nest under blanket front rooms IMG_3009

And while I personally would prefer the nap, I have it on good authority that although rain is threatening, that’s no reason to cancel a perfectly good walk around Young’s Hill!