Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

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Congratulations, Joel!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Lynelle Anderson, in honor of her son, Joel Feller’s, graduation! Lynelle shared this message about today:

“In celebration of Joel graduating from Central Washington University with his Bachelor of Science in Primate Behavior and Ecology and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. We’re grateful for the support he received from everyone at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and the inspiration the chimps bring to his life.”

Joel is our first, and currently one-and-only, male volunteer caregiver. Burrito, who can probably relate, is always thrilled to see Joel and really appreciates their quality “guy-time.” And Burrito isn’t the only one who makes good use of having Joel around. Watch Joel and Missy play chase here.

Lynelle, thank you so much for having the chimpanzees share in your celebration with Joel! The support you and Brian, and your family, have shown Joel and the sanctuary is wonderful and inspiring.

Joel, hoots upon hoots of congratulations to you for all that you’ve accomplished! Thanks so much for all you do for the chimpanzees! We wish you all the best in your next adventures!

Burrito:

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This is, indeed, a day of celebration! Today we also celebrate both Queen Negra’s birthday and the chimpanzees’ 7th year anniversary of coming to their sanctuary home. None of which would be remotely possible without you. Be sure to tune in later today to check out the festivities!

Come on an adventure with Missy!

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The wild greens growing on Young’s Hill are in full bloom, practically covering the chimps’ structures in certain areas. When the chimps decide to go foraging, it’s difficult to even see them in the tall growth.

Jamie and I headed out for a walk around the hill this afternoon, her following the path she’s worn down walking, and me following the path the humans have worn down accompanying her. At the last minute Missy came running out of the greenhouse after us, taking a pit stop in the shade of one of the structures. Missy often likes to wait for us to reach the top of the hill so she can (naturally) run all the way after us.

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Once Jamie and I reached the top of the hill, Missy decided to brave the heat and made a mad dash behind us to forage in the largest wild mustard patch:

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One can imagine the awe she must feel looking at all that’s available to her:

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She was beside herself after collecting her huge feast of wild greens and ran straight to the new climbing structure to enjoy them while taking in the view. I could just make out her food grunts of happiness:

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I didn’t notice until writing this, but you can just see Foxie and Mademoiselle Dora (down in the lower right corner) photo-bombing. (Yes, when I arrived this morning I found them happily reunited.) 🙂

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Mademoiselle Foxie et Mademoiselle Dora

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We never know why Foxie chooses one troll or Dora doll over another. It’s a love only she defines. Of all the Dora dolls she loves, one of her absolute favorites has always been “France Dora.” Her most recent was just gifted to her by very good friends of the chimpanzees (and humans!), Syd and Diane Marcus:

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I am not sure if it’s the jaunty beret, the classic attire, or just a certain “je ne sais quoi,” but to say Foxie loves this particular Dora is an understatement. The second she saw us bring her in, her hair stood on end (pilo-erect) in excitement and she play-thumped the ceiling repeatedly as she ran toward us. Foxie often likes us to play chase with her new dolls for a few minutes before giving them to her, but where Mademoiselle Dora is concerned, she often asks for her straight away. Foxie’s routine (as it is with most new “babies”) is to gaze at them in adoration and awe, kiss/groom them with her lips and then rub them on her belly.

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And she will carry “France Dora” with her for days. We typically cannot get away with throwing Mademoiselle Dora in with the rest of the enrichment to be cleaned each day (because Foxie doesn’t let go of her). We have to wait for her to play toss the Dora with us and then take the opportunity to give her a quick bath, and get her back to Foxie ASAP. And this often involves Foxie blowing raspberries of discontent at us the entire time, letting us know we better be fast about it. Needless to say, Dora quickly loses her “je ne sais quoi,” but hair askew, cute attire gone, and worse for the wear, Foxie’s love will not wane.

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As a side note, who other than Queen Negra also took a fancy to Mademoiselle Dora and arrived at breakfast this morning carrying her! Negra even decided to hold onto Dora for awhile and nest with her, despite Foxie trying every trick in the book to get her back. Mademoiselle Dora is apparently quite popular. We will try to keep you posted as this latest drama unfolds. 🙂

Happy Birthday, Donna!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Donna Dinsmore! Today is Donna’s birthday and each year she chooses to celebrate by gifting the chimpanzees with a special day to celebrate with her!

Donna, thank you so much for holding the chimpanzees in your heart today, and throughout the years. There is much to celebrate in life and we are so touched that you would celebrate your own special life by making a difference in the chimps. We hope you have the happiest birthday yet and that each year is better than possibly imagined. Just like the chimpanzees!

Gorgeous Annie:

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Happy Birthday, Karen!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Julie Olson, in honor of her sister, Karen Olson, for her birthday! Julie shared this wonderful message about Karen:

“I want to honor my sister Karen Olson on her birthday. Having a day sponsored for the chimps on her birthday was number one on her list of birthday presents! My sister is the biggest animal lover I know and she is the one who told me I had to watch the news story about the chimps arrival 7 years ago. Her devotion to animals is incredible!”

Julie and Karen, we are so touched that you have both followed the chimpanzees since the beginning of their lives in sanctuary and continue to hold them in your hearts. Julie, thank you for sponsoring this day in celebration of your sister! Karen, may your day be filled with love, serenity and all the things you find joy in. Happy Birthday from all of the primates here at CSNW!!

Beautiful Jody, always seems to find joy in her life:

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taking care of each other

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Today Annie and Missy spent a good part of the hot afternoon grooming each other in the greenhouse.

Notice in the photo below that Missy is grooming her own arm with a twig while Annie grooms her head. Classic Missy.

Annie grooming Missy's head

 

Missy had a bit of an injury to her left eye (nothing serious), so Annie was very interested in that, but she took her time working her way around to grooming that spot:

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Once she got there, she didn’t hold back:

Annie grooming Missy's eye

 

Annie grooming Missy's eye close-up

 

It turns out that Annie had a bit of an injury on the back of her left year, which I noticed because Missy noticed it. In this photo and in the one above when Annie starts grooming Missy’s eye, both chimpanzees have a relaxed face with slightly parted lips – a sign of concentration.

Missy grooming Annie's ear

 

Though injuries and even old scabs are really interesting, there’s always different areas to check out – here’s Annie removing something that was stuck to the hair on Missy’s arm:

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Who needs a spa when you have such fastidious friends?

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Today is in honor of Hercules and Leo

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Danielle Gorshein in honor of the chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo. Danielle shared the following message about today:

“I am so inspired by the work of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. I have been a supporter for a while and recently read about two chimpanzee’s Hercules and Leo who are being held by SUNY Stony Brook in New York and there is work being done to free them. I feel terrible about this and sponsoring a day in honor of them is the least I can do. I am so happy you have a safe place for these special 7 to live out their days knowing what it means to be loved.”

Danielle, thank you so much for your compassion and desire to follow issues faced by our fellow primates! The case of Hercules and Leo is amazing and it’s thrilling to see such a shift and expansion in thoughts and attitudes occurring. We are so touched that you would think of the “Cle Elum Seven” in honoring Hercules and Leo today. We hold Hercules and Leo, and all those awaiting their life in sanctuary, in our hearts and minds.

You can learn more about the work of the Nonhuman Rights Project and the case of Hercules and Leo here.

May all beings awaiting their sanctuary one day soon have a world view beyond their wildest imagination:

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