Cle Elum 7

From blue cement floors below, to blue skies above

November 8, 2016 by Anna

Just over eight years ago, the Cle Elum 7 were living in the windowless basement of the Buckshire Corporation in Pennsylvania. Their entire world consisted of four attached 6×6 cages.

Here’s a little perspective on just exactly what that meant for the chimpanzees:

Take a moment and imagine only being able to climb as high as that cage ceiling or walk as far as the beginning of one wall to the end of the other. It’s truly inconceivable.

A huge part of sanctuary means providing a new multidimensional expansive world for the chimpanzees to enjoy.

When Missy climbed to to the tallest structure on Young’s Hill this morning, she was around 20 feet in the air with an unimpeded view of a lush green valley and rolling mountains. The sun could warm her back and the breeze could tickle her skin. She had 2 acres of grassy hill to run and play on, with several comfortable indoor areas to nap and groom in.

What a difference 8 years can make.

Missy deigns to play with a caregiver

November 6, 2016 by Elizabeth

Missy is a chimps’ chimp. She much prefers the company of her chimpanzee family to that of any of her caregivers. Once in awhile she honors us with some attention, but she is hilariously aloof in most of her interactions with humans. On the rare occasion that she plays with a caregiver, she typically has a “I’m a little embarrassed for you right now” look on her face. Which, of course, makes her all the more charming.

More Positive Reinforcement Training Progress

November 3, 2016 by Elizabeth

Our Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) program is coming along nicely. (Learn about PRT and how it helps the chimpanzees in this blog post from last year.)

Here’s a video of Diana and Jamie’s session this afternoon.

Jamie-ween 2016, Told in Twenty-one Spooky Photos and One Terrifying Video

October 31, 2016 by Elizabeth

Jamie, the birthday girl:

Negra:

Missy:

Jody:

Foxie:

Annie:

Burrito:

It Doesn’t Take Much

October 27, 2016 by Elizabeth

We give the chimpanzees all kinds of toys to play with each day, but sometimes something as simple as a cardboard box does the trick.

Making the Most of It

October 24, 2016 by Elizabeth

Occasionally we offer the chimpanzees some sugar-free gum as a treat. Some of them swallow it right away, but Foxie likes to savor hers.

True Altruism

October 23, 2016 by Keri

“True altruism is caring for places you will never visit, people you will never meet and a future you will never see.” – Author unknown –

I was looking at Jane Goodall’s Facebook page the other day and came across the above quote. As I read the words, I couldn’t help thinking of all of the people who have and will continue to advocate for chimpanzees across Africa who have suffered as the result of deforestation, the pet trade and the bush meat trade. Many of these people are fighting for animals in places they will never have the chance to visit.

And then I read the quote again and couldn’t help but think of all of the Cle Elum Seven supporters around the world. Many supporters will never be able to meet these chimps, yet, they continue to love and support them.

Reading the quote one more time, I thought about the countless number of people fighting for a future they were not sure they’d ever see; an end to biomedical research on chimpanzees in the United States. I think Diana did a great job of describing how our society has shifted toward “greater understanding and compassion” It takes a lot of people and a lot of time, but change does happen and a future we dreamed about is happening now.

Thank you to all those who care about and advocate for, the places, the people and the future you may never see.

Jamie