It seems Foxie has been the center of our blog posts lately, but that might be because no matter what she is doing she is bright, playful, funny, and can bring a smile to all of our faces. You’ll see what I mean while watching this video:
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Wild and precious lives
On this New Year’s Day, I would like to share a story with you about my friend, Foxie. As a rule, if we are having an off day about anything we work very hard not to bring it to the chimp house. We are here to make the chimpanzees’ days better and it’s not fair for them to have to deal with anything less than our best. At the same time, we’re human. And chimpanzees, being chimpanzees, are incredibly sensitive to what’s going on around them, and with their caregivers, whether we think we are hiding something or not.
So on this occasion, I had been having a rough day and after spending some time outside returned to the chimp house having “re-collected” myself. I had my back to the chimp area and was working on enrichment when I suddenly heard Foxie blowing raspberries and trying to get my attention. This is normal Foxie behavior when she is trying to get our attention to play or let us know she needs something. When I turned to look at her she appeared to be seeking reassurance, though all the other chimpanzees seemed to be resting peacefully. I walked down the hallway to make sure she was OK, thinking maybe she had dropped a troll, or had been hurt. As soon as I reached her she immediately met me at eye level and gazed intensely into my eyes, looking back and forth to each one. Then she reached her hand out to touch the back of my own and just held it there as she continued to gaze at me, seeming concerned. Not seeing a reason for her to be upset, after reassuring her for awhile I returned to work on enrichment. It didn’t dawn on me until later that day that Foxie had seemed to be offering me reassurance. Somehow, she seemed to read something in me that indicated I had been upset and was checking to make sure I was OK. Of course, I have no way of knowing what Foxie was truly thinking, this is merely my perception. But it seemed so evident.
This is why I am so passionate about what I do, and about what the sanctuary and conservation communities do as a whole. As caregivers we are so fortunate to be able to spend our days making theirs better in any way we can. We are so fortunate to share our lives with these seven amazing chimpanzee people. And they are people to me, just a different culture one might say. I recognize that most of you don’t have the opportunity to know a chimpanzee personally, or to experience a relationship with one. So my intent in sharing this story with you is the hope that you will see how very important and appreciated your support is in helping to provide them with the lives they deserve. To give further insight into how truly special they are.
2013 was an unprecedented year for chimpanzees. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) accepted the recommendations made by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in favor of phasing out the use of chimpanzees in invasive research and retiring most of them into the Federal Sanctuary System. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed to expand the protection of chimpanzees in captivity under the Endangered Species Act. We’ve learned so much more about personal choices we can make toward helping to ensure the conservation of free-living apes and protecting their environment. And great progress was made in furthering awareness about the use of apes in media and entertainment (check out Eyes on Apes if you would like to learn more about all of these things!).
I look toward 2014 full of gratitude for each one of you who made last year possible. I am honored to play a role with all of you in keeping that momentum going through 2014 and beyond. And not just for all the amazing beings we share this planet with. But for each of you and whatever calls to you, “announcing your place in the family of things.” There is still so much work to be done. And so I offer another quote from my favorite poet, Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
From all of us at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, we wish you the happiest of new years! And thank you for all you do!!
Cheers!
Happy New Year’s Eve! We want to thank Jody Ubert for sponsoring today for the chimpanzees. Jody, you’ll be happy to know that we had a wonderful little New Year’s Eve party for the chimpanzees today, complete with party streamers and plastic champagne flutes with sparkling apple cider. The chimps loved them!
Today is also the last chance to donate before the end of the year. If you’re on our mailing list, you received this message in your inbox this morning, which includes a link to the Foxie Inspires Us video. Foxie and her friends are in a Holiday Pal competition, too, and I think it’d be really great to see all seven chimps with two full candy canes by the end of 2013. Check the progress here, and support your favorite pal before the ball drops at midnight tonight!
Here is Foxie enjoying some of the cider from today:
Thank you to everyone who has made the last five and half years of sanctuary so wonderful for the Cle Elum Seven. Cheers to you and yours, and have a Happy New Year!
Sounds of Sanctuary
Although it is true that chimpanzees are often much more quiet than one might assume based on experience with them in the media, chimpanzees can also be quite loud when expressing themselves, given the right circumstances. As a matter of fact, the daily routine of sanctuary life is accompanied by sounds that a caregiver comes to rely on.
When I arrive at the chimp house in the morning the chimpanzees are often still sleeping, or enjoying a quiet morning. Not soon after though, Burrito usually makes some noise in the front rooms. Perhaps he’s letting everyone know that the day is about to begin? At any rate, the morning for caregivers consists of breakfast making with the blender whirring in the kitchen and the sounds of a chimpanzee community getting ready for the day. Burrito’s way of greeting the day is certainly unmistakable.
Meal times usually involve food grunts, squeaks and, of course, some chewing. The rest of the day can run the gamut. When the mood takes them the chimpanzees will spend time grooming together, playing, or occasionally engaged in aggressive displays and each of these activities are often attended by distinct chimpanzee vocalizations. To get a feel for what I’m talking about check out today’s video and make sure to have your volume turned up and your listening ears on!
Happy Birthday, Lori!
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Lori Kiers! Today is Lori’s birthday and she shared that she could not think of a better gift for herself than providing this special day for the chimpanzees. Lori, what a lovely and generous thing to say and do! Thank you so much, and from all the chimpanzees and humans here at CSNW, we hope you have a truly wonderful day!!
Welcome, Christmas!
Christmas (and a whole lot of troll dolls) arrived in the chimp house this morning! And thanks so much to volunteer caregiver, Patti, an amazing fireplace, loads of decorations, and an incredible Christmas lunch!:
Foxie checking out one of the stockings:
Patti, made the most incredible Christmas lunch, complete with field roast and cashew gravy, cranberry sauce in pumpkins and sparkling apple cider!:
Negra enjoying her Christmas dinner as the trolls look on:
Missy enjoying some Brussels sprouts:
See if you can spot Annie:
A big hit of the day were these giant cardboard tubes which came courtesy of Santa’s elf (and volunteer caregiver, Seana), which she stuffed with paper and nuts:
Foxie gazing adoringly at one of her many new trolls:
And in true holiday fashion, Burrito was too full to move by the end of dinner, but that didn’t stop him from making room for pumpkin and Brussels sprouts that lay within arms reach:
Annie’s feet as she takes a rest after the celebration:
And for all of our Jody fans, no worries, she enjoyed the Christmas extravaganza as well, she was just avoiding the paparazzi today. Thank you so much to volunteer caregivers, Patti and Seana, for making the chimpanzees’ day so wonderful, amazing supporters Jayne R. and Pam O. for supplying trolls and decorations, Laurel H. for sponsoring today, and to everyone else who contributed to today’s festivities. And from my heart (which in Grinch style grew three sizes the day I met these chimpanzees) thank you to all of our supporters near and far who help us give the chimpanzees the kind of days they deserve. From all of the primates here at CSNW, we wish you the happiest of holidays!!
Happy Birthday, Laurel!
A Christmas day of sanctuary was sponsored by Laurel Hecht! Today is Laurel’s birthday and in the true spirit of giving, she chose to celebrate by giving a special day to the chimpanzees. Laurel, what a kind and generous thing to do! Thank you so much and from all of us here at CSNW, we wish you the happiest of days (enter pant hoots and food squeaks here)!
The chimpanzees are waking up to a bustling chimp house this morning as we prepare for all the holiday festivities so be sure to check back later today to join in the celebration!
