Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

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Little neighbors

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In preparation for today’s blog, I revisited a few of the past posts about the different types of fauna that the chimpanzees have experience with in the Cle Elum landscape. There are plenty of birds and insects to be seen. As well as some deer and the neighboring horses. Of course there is Ellie the elk. And let’s not forget about how hard life can be for a snake in a chimpanzee enclosure!

During the dry days of summer we often find little tree frogs hiding on the playroom caging we call the Barn Doors. web_frog1_barndoors_awphone

These doors are next to the garden so the chimpanzees can look out and see their plants growing. In this photo, the barn doors are to the right of Missy.
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While the frogs may think they are safe from danger hiding on the dark caging, caregivers know better. Every morning during cleaning, we relocate these little guys to a safer spot, like this squash plant.
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In memory of Carlene

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored in memory of Carlene Olson-Garza by her husband, Tony, and their family who send this special message:

“Today would of have been Carlene’s 58th birthday. She was an advocate for the great work CSNW is doing and an avid follower of the blog. We, her family, mark this day in memory of her by our continued support of the seven.”

As you may recall, as a result of our wonderfully successful Share the Chimp Love fundraiser in February we were able to build the chimpanzees a new climbing structure on Young’s Hill. As part of the campaign two generous families, one of which was the Garza family, won naming rights to the two towers. The tower with the roof was named Carlene’s Tower and the open-air tower was named Jamie’s Lookout by Joan and Pat Borders. And let me tell you the chimps have been loving this structure!!

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We here at the sanctuary, are honored by Carlene’s presence every day. When we walk around Young’s Hill with Jamie, we pass Carlene’s memorial stone along our new Memorial Walkway. Just in the distance of the walkway, is Carlene’s Tower. The chimpanzees sometimes take a detour during walks around the perimeter to climb up one of the towers and often sit quietly to take in the view before crossing over and down the other side to resume the walk. The only person we haven’t seen climb this amazing structure (yet!) is Negra. But she has ventured up to check things out and enjoy the abundance of wild mustard that grows below it in the spring.

To Carlene’s family, our hearts go out to you as you navigate your lives without this special woman whom you all clearly love so much. We are continually touched and inspired by all that you do to ensure her love of the chimpanzees continues. As we all celebrate Carlene’s life today, please know that not only you, but Carlene as well, make a difference in their lives every day. And we are so fortunate to have you all as part of our sanctuary family.

Missy taking in the view from Carlene’s Tower:

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Annie:

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Burrito:

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Boss lady, Jamie:

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Foxie, taking in the view from Jamie’s Lookout on the opposite side:

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Jamie:

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Trolls becoming real

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From the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams: “Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

Here’s a troll doll who is in the process of becoming real, thanks to the love of one Foxie Chimpanzee:

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Foxie walking with troll in mouth

Foxie behind grass with troll doll

Foxie with troll in mouth

 

Happy Birthday, John!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was also sponsored by Juliana Olmstead, along with family and friends, in celebration of her boyfriend, John Barbagallo, on his birthday! Juliana organized a fundraiser for John through Crowd Rise in which all proceeds will be donated to the chimpanzees! Juliana shared this message about today:

“John Barbagallo’s friends and family are sponsoring this day in honor of his 40th birthday. John has been passionate about animal rescue for many years, and his birthday wish was to make a contribution to this amazing sanctuary.”

Juliana, and John’s friends and family, thank you so much! This is such a fantastic idea and we are so touched that you all would come together to do something so special for John and the chimpanzees.

John, thank you so much for your compassion and dedication to the amazing animal beings we share the earth with. We so appreciate you sharing your own special day with the chimpanzees and all of you making a difference in their lives. All of the primates here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest wish you a happy birthday full of pant-hoots and food grunts. Just channel your inner Burrito if you need help with the latter:

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Happy Birthday, Dorothy!

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We are so fortunate to have two sponsors for this day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees! Laura Gargano is starting the day off in celebration of her mother, Dorothy Gargano, for her birthday! Laura shared this special message about today:

“My mother has always had a love for gorillas and chimps and this helps highlight the plight of so many chimps who still live in labs around the world.” 

Laura, this is such an inspired and compassionate way to honor your mother. Thank you so much for making a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives while bringing awareness to all those who are still awaiting their own day of sanctuary.

Dorothy, thank you for sharing your own special day, as well as your passion for great apes, with all of us.  We hope you have the most beautiful of birthdays!

A Jody-style celebration involves comfort, joy, and occasionally kicking up your heels:

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Happy Birthday, Keri!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Pat and Dave Heniff in honor of their daughter, Keri, on her birthday! Yep, this is “our” Keri, caregiver and enrichment coordinator extraordinaire here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest! Keri’s parents shared this message about today:

“It makes us happy to know Keri is working doing something she loves. We are happy to be able to sponsor a day for the chimps honoring her on this special day. Happy Birthday Keri.”

Pat and Dave, thank you so much for including the chimpanzees as you celebrate your amazing daughter on her special day. It’s so lovely of you to honor her passion while making a difference in the lives of the chimps she holds dear. The humans and the chimpanzees couldn’t ask for a better friend and colleague.

Keri, your compassion, dedication and kindest of hearts are clear in all that you do and I think you must be a blessing to everyone you meet. We are so grateful to have you as part of our family, too. Happy, happiest of days and celebrations to you!

Keri and Jamie:

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Our boss, Jamie, sends birthday pant hoots to you and expects you to wear cowgirl boots all the live long day. What kind of celebration would it be otherwise?:

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First Impressions: Foxie

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This post concludes the series on my first impressions of the Cle Elum 7. Last but surely not least, I get to write about Foxie chimpanzee. Jamie did not make this an easy photography session for me today. The boss kept insisting I model a selection of new cowboy boots that she just received. I walked at least 3 laps around Young’s Hill wearing her boots before I could sneak into the Playroom to see what Foxie was up to. What Foxie did next made my afternoon exceedingly better. She came down from her perch on the playroom catwalk and began to somersault, spin and do some “break-dance” like moves all around her enclosure. Intermittently, she would get large gulps of water from the spigot. These mouthfuls would serve as both hydration and playful ammunition that she would aim at my feet. There are so many challenges to taking photos of a chimpanzee that won’t stop running around doing flips. Foxie is a joy to be around!

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