Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Cle Elum 7

The Watchdog

by

As the alpha, Jamie has a lot of responsibility. It’s her job to make sure all the chimps and humans at the sanctuary are following her rules. Anyone who’s ever worked in management knows that this isn’t always the most enviable position. But Jamie is diligent and dedicated to the task. She is a great overseer. One of her self-assigned job duties is to know everything that’s going on at the sanctuary at any given time. She keeps track of when people arrive and when they leave. She knows who’s authorized to be on site and who isn’t.

She spends a lot of time spying on the driveway from various vantage points within the chimp house or outside on Young’s Hill. The other day I caught her in one of the front rooms keeping an eye on a UPS delivery.

web_Jamie_portrait_studio_FR4_ek_IMG_4526

web_Jamie_portrait_studio_look_out_window_FR4_ek_IMG_4532

web_Jamie_portrait_studio_FR4_ek_IMG_4528

web_Jamie_portrait_studio_FR4_ek_IMG_4529

A New Friend for Burrito

by

This morning, new staff caregiver Anna showed up at the chimp house with a giant stuffed gorilla for the chimpanzees. Stuffed animals have a sad history at the sanctuary; the chimps tend to either ignore them or tear them limb from limb. Stuffed animals that resemble apes or monkeys, in particular, don’t often live long after the chimps get their hands on them.

So we were surprised and delighted by what transpired this morning…

Lazy Days

by

After lunch is the laziest time of the day here at the sanctuary. The chimpanzees have a few hours between lunch and dinner, and they usually spend it in quiet pursuits like grooming, nesting, and napping. This afternoon we set up a lunch forage on Young’s Hill, and after all that activity and excitement, Jody was ready for a little solitary grooming.

web_Jody_groom_self_GH_ek_IMG_2788

web_Jody_groom_self_GH_ek_IMG_2804

web_Jody_groom_self_tongue_GH_ek_IMG_2808

web_Jody_groom_self_GH_ek_IMG_2807

After awhile, even grooming took too much energy and she settled in for a nap.

web_Jody_close_up_yawn_GH_ek_IMG_2813

web_Jody_close_up_yawn_GH_ek_IMG_2814

web_Jody_close_up_yawn_GH_ek_IMG_2815

web_Jody_close_up_lie_down_sleepy_GH_ek_IMG_2816

web_Jody_lie_on_back_sleep_GH_ek_IMG_2812

In memory of Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty

by

Today was sponsored by Joan O’Flaherty in memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty, and their wedding anniversary. Ned and Noreen were great advocates for animals and conservation and we are honored to have them remembered here at the sanctuary.

Joan, we are so touched that you choose to honor your parents’ memory by helping to ensure the chimpanzees lives are all that they deserve. In remembering Ned and Noreen today we hope that the knowledge of the difference you, as well as they, have made to the chimpanzees brings you the comfort and joy that it does the chimps. We are very thankful and will hold you all in our thoughts today.

Burrito and Negra:

Burrito Negra look at camera

Jamie at Rest

by

It is nearly impossible to satisfy Jamie. She has a mind that never sleeps; it needs constant stimulation. She demands a lot of her caregivers. When she’s bored – and captive chimpanzees are always in danger of boredom – she turns to us to entertain her. Most of the time, we are able to figure out what she wants, or to come up with an enrichment idea that keeps her busy for awhile. But sometimes we just don’t seem to be able to please her no matter what we do.

So it’s always a relief and a pleasure when we catch Jamie in a peaceful moment – relaxed, satisfied, and in need of nothing.

web_Jamie_lie_down_hold_feet_troll_scarf_enrichment_look_at_camera_PR_ek_IMG_5185

web_Jamie_snuggle_stuffed_I_love_you_monkey_hammer_toy_enrichment_PR_ek_IMG_5198

web_Jamie_look_at_camera_snuggle_stuffed_i_love_you_monkey_enrichment_PR_kh_IMG_5200

web_Jamie_sleep_snuggle_stuffed_I_love_you_monkey_enrichment_PR_kh_IMG_5201

Today is for Jeani, Sara, and their family!

by

Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Jeani Goodrich and her family! Jeani is a long time volunteer and friend of the primates here. She is such a kind and compassionate soul and is always looking for ways to make the lives of others better, be they human or non. Jeani’s family gave her the wonderful gift of choosing a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and this is her special message about today:

“In honor of: Deb, John and Adam Mayes, Sean and Sara Curry, and Sean Peter and Brenna Curry.  Deb is my sister, Sara and Adam are my niece and nephew, and Sean Peter and Brenna are my grand-nephew and grand-niece. John and Sean are their wonderful spouses. They are honoring the chimps because they know how much the chimps mean to me. I chose the day, July 5th, because it is my niece Sara’s birthday and we are going to have a “Christmas in July” party for the chimps.”

Happy Birthday, Sara! We hope you have the best one yet! Thank you all, so much, for giving a gift that not only encompasses so many, but surrounds them all, including the chimpanzees, with love. And thank you for giving the chimpanzees another summer party to enjoy!

Jeani’s pal, Foxie:

web_foxie_lips_kd_