Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Cle Elum 7

In gratitude

by

As the Office Manager and a Caregiver for CSNW, I have the wonderful opportunity to not only work with all of you, our amazing supporters, but to see the direct results of all of your contributions toward caring for the chimpanzees. Each and every one of you play a part in this. Whether it is through donations, volunteering your time, sending troll dolls, cowgirl boots, and a myriad of other enrichment items, following the blog, “liking” us on Facebook, participating in our events and campaigns, sharing your love for the chimpanzees and helping to educate others, or just sending us good thoughts, it all counts, it all makes a difference. You add to the collective consciousness of how special the chimpanzees are and what issues both captive and free-living chimps are facing. You are helping to create hope for their future. And you renew my faith in the human spirit every day.

Because of each of you, the chimps are able to have good friends…

web Burrito hug Foxie 2 IMG_3258

good food…

web Burrito watermelon food eat forage outdoor area IMG_4707

and choices.

web_Jamie_wear_troll_scarf_recorder_in_mouth_enrichment_PR_ek_IMG_0664

Thank you for enabling us to do the work that we do and most importantly for providing the chimpanzees with a home full of the joys, comforts, and love they so deserve. We couldn’t do it without all of you. On behalf of all of the primates here at CSNW, thank you and please know how much each of you are appreciated!

 

 

 

Play Bows

by

Play bows are one of my favorite behaviors in a chimpanzee’s repertoire. They’re used to initiate play, and they’re almost always effective. This short video was taken a few years ago. You’ll see Foxie use a play bow to get Negra to play with her.

These photos were taken this afternoon in the greenhouse when Burrito was trying to get me to put the camera down and play with him. We see Burrito’s play bow frequently, and it’s almost always directed at his human friends. He presses his belly to the ground and drums his hands repeatedly. As soon as we respond, he springs up and runs off so we can chase him.

web_Burrito_play_bow_toy_enrichment_in_mouth_GH_ek_IMG_0684

web_Burrito_play_bow_GH_ek_IMG_0691

web_Burrito_play_bow_toy_enrichment_in_mouth_GH_ek_IMG_0692

web_Burrito_play_bow_toy_enrichment_in_mouth_look_at_camera_GH_ek_IMG_0693

Jamie’s not-so-serious pants

by

There are some people who are simply intense, even their resting face is intimidating to the uninitiated! Their approach to life and every experience in it can seem so serious that it’s hard to imagine them ever being a kid. If you asked my husband, that’s a fairly accurate description of me. If you asked me I’d say it’s a fairly accurate description of both Jamie chimpanzee and me. I do love Jamie’s serious face. Isn’t it intense?

web facebook Jamie close-up bright-eyed outside oa_MG_7112

But I also know that, just like me, Jamie doesn’t always wear her serious pants. We’ve often posted about Foxie’s ability to draw out Jamie’s silly side but, really, she can be silly all on her own when she chooses. Today, during cleaning, Jamie initiated an exuberant game of chase, roll, repeat with me and I was happy to oblige. Taking Jamie on her own terms allows her to express her complex character completely and I’m so thankful to provide her that opportunity, especially when it involves laughter!

Here’s photo evidence of Jamie with a not-so-serious face. You may notice that the only photo evidence I could find of Jamie with a playface was in the company of Foxie!

web jamie foxie laugh play box play face playroom IMG_0132

In memory of Simone

by

Today, tomorrow, and the next day (!!!) are sponsored by Tracy Dunham. Tracy shared this wonderful story about Simone:

“In memory of Simone who came to me because one person saw something in a dog that had a ‘1000 mile stare’ and was so afraid that she crawled instead of walked. She spent her last days walking the beach on the Oregon coast, greeting every human with kindness and listening to the ocean with her head in my lap. Thank you to all the wonderful people who have given the chimpanzees a chance to enjoy life. I would like to sponsor 3 days for the last three days Simone and I spent on the coast.”

Tracy, we are so touched that you chose to not only sponsor 3 days for the chimpanzees, but also to include them in such a special memory of Simone. Thank you so much!

web Negra close up GH IMG_1874

Summer Sun

by

It’s a warm, quiet afternoon in sanctuary and the chimpanzees are spending time each according to her(or his) nature. Jamie and I took some new footwear for a walk around Young’s Hill after lunch. Missy accompanied us for part of the way and then we all returned to the greenhouse to escape the heat. The greenhouse appears to be the place to hang out on a hot summer afternoon!

Providing options for individual choice is one of the many perks of working at the sanctuary and it makes me proud to be able to share quality time with each chimpanzee in the manner that most appeals to them.

Here is Jamie, ready to groom the now traveled boot.
web_Jamie_grass_tool_in_mouth_groom_GH_ek_IMG_2703

Missy, enjoying the relative cool of the greenhouse after the eastern Washington summer sun.
web_Missy_close_up_contemplative_look_GH_ek_IMG_2704

Annie stayed put in the greenhouse. Here she is gazing in the direction of the helicopter overhead.
web_Annie_close_up_gazing_at_the_sky_GH_ek_IMG_2714

Burrito, playful as ever!
web_Burrito play bite fire hose wooden block in mouth greenhouse GH IMG_3216

Thank you so much, Paige!

by

Today was sponsored by Paige Powell in honor of the staff and volunteers here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest! Paige, this is such a kind and generous thing to do.  I am pretty sure I speak for all of us when I say the honor is all ours.  And we couldn’t give the chimpanzees all that they so deserve if it were not for the care and support of so many amazing people such as yourself.  Thank you so much, Paige, from the humans and chimpanzees alike!

And here is the beautiful cover girl herself, Jody, who was featured in an article on the front page of yesterday’s New York Times! Learn more here!

web Jody best new blankets nest playroom IMG_2376