The weather in Cle Elum is gorgeous today and the chimps have spent many hours outside in the sun. Missy has been so playful that she has barely stopped to eat.
csnw
Four Days, $1565 – can we do it?
Thanks to really awesome supporter-fundraisers, we have raised $5,435 on our Firstgiving pages towards the goal of $7,000 by the end of June. I have been amazed at the success of the supporters of the Cle Elum Seven, and can’t thank you all enough!!
We’re still $1565 away from reaching our goal, and there are only four days left. So, I’m writing this post while I’m on vacation and way past the time when I should be sleeping because I’m wondering if we’ll be able to do it.
I know we can.
Please donate to Negra’s page today or take a look at the other wonderful pages set up by supporters. Margaret is still offering to paint a portrait of the chimpanzee of your choice in exchange for a donation (her paintings are absolutely amazing), Grace is still offering cards with animal illustrations by artist Colin Redmon (who is uber-talented), and Tamela is still offering to make chimpanzee footprint pendants (I have one and it is really cool!). Plus there are many other people who have pages set up and are offering fabulous things in exchange for a donation (including simply the good feeling you get when you support a friend and a good cause) – check them all out, give, and help me sleep easy knowing we’ve reached our goal.
Some new old photos
It’s been a busy day and I didn’t have time to take any new pictures or video, but I did find some older portraits that haven’t been posted before (I hope!).
Annie:
Burrito:
Foxie:
Jamie:
Jody:
Missy:
Negra:
Today at CSNW
It’s been a good day. Here’s a brief video diary:
Hanging out with Foxie
People sometimes ask how we interact with the chimpanzees through the fencing. While there are plenty of things to do that don’t involve any physical contact at all (chase!), there are safe methods of physical contact that allow us to tickle or groom — or be tickled or groomed by — the chimps. To make sure everyone stays safe, our fingers never penetrate the plane of the fencing. In this video, Jackie, our newest caregiver, uses a decapitated troll head (!!!) and a piece of bark to groom and tickle Foxie.
Do chimpanzees chew gum?
Yes. Yes, they do. See video below
All of the chimpanzees at CSNW enjoy gum as an occasional treat. Foxie is particularly enthusiastic with her gum chewing.
Paula Wade’s tribute
Paula Wade of Colorado, a supporter of CSNW and a friend to the Cle Elum Seven, died on June 10th. Paula began following the CSNW blog early on and made comments on some of the posts. She sent in a photo of herself as a child that is now included in the chimps’ photo album. In October, she gathered photos of the chimpanzees from the blog and put them into a video slide show. I had always intended on sharing this video with everyone.
Although I regret that I am only sharing it now that Paula is gone, I am so glad that she created this and was able to connect with the Cle Elum Seven, even at a distance, before she passed away. This was a tribute to the Cle Elum Seven by Paula, and now I see it as a tribute to Paula. We wish all of Paula’s friends and family the best during their time of grieving.
