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Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

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(Banana for Scale)

February 28, 2021 by Anthony

Today’s blog is dedicated to our favorite fruit: bananas. Humans first domesticated these plants on the island archipelagos of Southeast Asia between 10,000 and 6,500 years ago. Ancient voyagers carried these remarkable berries with them around the globe, cementing their status as a staple crop for people living in tropical Africa, Asia, Oceania, and eventually the Americas.

Cavendish bananas are now the most popular cultivar worldwide despite actually being less than two-hundred years old. Bundles of these green bananas are shipped to regional warehouses where they are ripened in sealed rooms, resulting in the artificial yellow color that appeals to consumers in grocery stores. (Without the intermediate step, most Cavendish bananas will go from green to rotten without ever “ripening.”)

Besides simply cultivating and eating them, we humans have cemented a place for this fruit in pop culture. We refer to historically colonized nations as “Banana Republics,” laugh at people slipping on banana peels, and wear stupid banana costumes to parties. Spectacularly, people even began to include bananas in online images to provide the viewer with a sense of scale. (In fact, bananas may be a better unit of measurement than stoats.)

For a CSNW example, here’s an image of a Troll Doll (banana for scale):

Somehow, we also learned to associate bananas with our nonhuman ape and monkey relatives. (Thanks a lot, Donkey Kong!) As much as sanctuary caregivers may resent this overdone stereotype as we work hard to give the residents a wide variety of species-appropriate foods, even we cannot deny that chimpanzees really do love bananas. In fact, we almost always have them in stock as each chimp eats an average of one or two bananas each day. The reliance on bananas is normal for sanctuaries. At fellow NAPSA member sanctuary Chimp Haven, the enthusiasm with which each of their 300+ residents demands two bananas each morning has inspired a line of merchandise (and I have one of the mugs).

Note: The following meme depicts a young spider monkey, not a chimp, but it holds the same weight:

Fortunately for the sanctuary’s ten chimpanzee residents, we recently received an unexpected donation of bananas from the faith-based FISH Community Food Bank in nearby Ellensburg. Thanks, FISH!!!

The bananas were perfect– canary yellow with coffee-colored spots, firm but not starchy, and pungently sweet- and the generous people at the food bank gave us SEVEN CASES of these things to dole out to the chimps.

As Diana pointed out yesterday, the event was not quite a lagniappe, but it had a similar vibe. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on generosity and thoughtfulness to keep the sanctuary running. Every contribution matters. To make sure that we wouldn’t waste a donation like this, the staff got to work freezing peeled and blended bananas for use in future smoothies, dehydrating bananas to make chips for night bags, and washing bananas for immediate meal service. Processing new produce is one of my favorite weekly tasks, so this past week has been quite the thrill.

The chimps have not been complaining about receiving bananas more frequently. They demand their bananas first (because fruit is always the highest priority) then scarf them down with gusto. Lately, I’ve been trying to get a passable photo of any chimpanzee eating a donated banana to send to the team at the food bank, but the chimpanzees eat them too fast and I miss each narrow window of opportunity.

This pattern continued through today. During breakfast, I stood in front of the indoor enclosures and waited for the chimps to bring their bananas in from the Greenhouse (just as Jody did on Friday). They all inhaled their first course on the spot instead of taking it to go, so I squandered that chance by planning poorly. Then, at dinner, the bananas were almost entirely gone by the time I had carried out my other duties and arrived in the Greenhouse with a camera.

I did manage to salvage a few photos from breakfast, however. In particular, Jamie was overwhelmed by the amazing banana smoothie that the care team had prepared for both groups of chimps. She used her fingers to scrape every last bit of it from the plastic cup.

After breakfast, Jamie finally went into the indoor rooms and sat on a bench. I still had the camera hanging from my neck, so I asked her if I could take some portraits. She mostly ignored me (except for an occasional nod that I interpreted as “affirmative”), and kept looking over my shoulder. Her attention evidently went down the hall toward the kitchen. I turned to follow her gaze. Through that narrow doorway, we could both see straight through to the transparent refrigerator door where hundreds of bananas sat on brightly-lit shelves.

I doubt that Jamie knows the natural history of bananas or that the people at FISH supplied us with the ones she ate for breakfast, but it’s a safe bet that she’ll be expecting one on her breakfast tray tomorrow morning.

She’s in luck.

We have, like, a thousand of them.

P.S. If you’re interested in helping us to get fresh produce to the chimps every day, you should consider being a Produce Patron!

Filed Under: Food, Jamie, Thanks Tagged With: animal sanctuaries, animal sanctuary, chimp sanctuary, chimpanzees, chimps, csnw, donate, fish community food bank, fish ellensburg, food bank, food bank ellensburg, nonprofit, northwest, primate sanctuary, seattle

Giving Days and Days of Gifts

October 11, 2020 by Anthony

Today’s theme: gifts, giving, and gifts given.

Before we get to today’s update, though, I want to remind everyone that Giving Day for Apes is this Tuesday! It’s not too late to set up your own fundraising page via the sanctuary’s Giving Day for Apes page (just click on the big “Fundraise” button to get started). To see pages that others have created, scroll down on our page and look under “Campaigns supporting this organization.” All donations made on any of those campaigns will go directly to the sanctuary and will be eligible for the cash prizes offered!

Of course, the special fundraisers aren’t the only times that our supporters make generous gifts to the sanctuary.

Earlier today, we posted the following message:

Mary Horton sponsored this special day of sanctuary for her mom and long-time friend of the chimpanzees, Vicki Fagerlee… Vicki, you make a lasting difference in the chimpanzees’ and cattle’s lives, helping us ensure their joy, well-being and comfort for all their days forward. We’re so grateful to have you as part of our chimp and bovine family. Happy Birthday, from all of us here at the sanctuary!

It may have been Vicki’s birthday today, but she has been the one buying gifts for the sanctuary lately. Last week, we received notice that someone purchased a new mirrorless digital camera from our Amazon Wish List. Shortly after, the device arrived at our front gate with all the accessories we need to keep taking photos for the blog. The new Canon RP is much newer, lighter, and versatile than the donated Canon Rebels we have been using, and it has many new features that we have yet to master. Today, I spent some time to tinker with the auto-focus settings, low-light capabilities, and preset modes, but it definitely feels like learning to take photographs all over again. This technology has advanced quite far over the last ten years, so we appreciate that Vicki is helping us to stay current. I can’t wait to see what content we can create with this generous gift, and I really can’t wait to share the final products with you all.

Annie
Foxie and Missy
Jody and Foxie
Burrito
Burrito

P.S. Even the newest cameras have a difficult time focusing on Burrito’s face when he plays chase and tickle like an absolute maniac. In this case, I think I focused on his tiny white nose hairs. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Filed Under: Burrito, Events, Thanks, Wishlist Tagged With: amazon, amazon wishlist, animal rescue, animal rights, Animal Welfare, chimp, chimp sanctuary, chimpanzee, chimpanzee rescue, chimpanzee retirement, chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, chimpanzees, csnw, donate, donations, fundraiser, Fundraising, nonprofit, photography, Primates, Sanctuary

Reasons to GiveBIG

April 17, 2020 by J.B.

These are scary times. But the ten chimpanzees and four bovines at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest count on us each and every day to clean, prepare meals, create enrichment, and provide medical care, regardless of what is happening in the world outside. And we in turn count on you to help make that possible.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to continue giving to your favorite charities at this time, please consider participating in GiveBIG, Washington’s annual day of giving, and support the sanctuary by donating or creating your own fundraising page.

We are so fortunate to be able to greet the animals in our care each day and work for something we believe in with all our hearts. On behalf of the staff, the chimpanzees, and the bovines at CSNW, please know that your generosity during this time is more meaningful and more appreciated than ever.

Filed Under: Latest Videos, Thanks Tagged With: charities, chimpanzee, donate, fundraiser, GiveBIG, northwest, rescue, Sanctuary, washington

For Lisa Stuverud

April 5, 2015 by Diana

Today’s day of sanctuary is for Lisa Stuverud from her wonderful husband Richard, who shared this message:

I’d like to sponsor a day in the name of my wife, Lisa Stuverud. April 4th is her birthday and I know how much she loves the chimps and everyone at CSNW. Coincidentally, Lisa and her sister-in-law Linda Vizzare share the same birthday and Lisa had chosen yesterday as a sponsored day in Linda’s name. (Linda recently passed away and was a big Burrito fan especially loving his Happy Dance) I am choosing April 5th, the next best day, to support and share my wife’s love of the chimps and although in the beginning is was Jamie and her Cowboy Boots that that drew her in, it would now be difficult for her to ever pick a favorite if she was asked…I know she loves them all and has sincere admiration for all you do as “their humans”.

Jamie hugging boot 4

web Jamie eyes closed use boot as pillow sleep nest blanket PR IMG_4587

Thank you both for all of your support for the Seven and us humans, Rich and Lisa! Happy Easter and Happy Birthday!

 

Filed Under: Boots, Jamie, Sponsor-a-day Tagged With: birthday, chimp, chimpanzee, csnw, donate, lisa, northwest, rich, Sanctuary, Sponsor-a-day, stuverud, support

what to do with all that money you saved on Black Friday

November 29, 2013 by Diana

Hopefully you all saw the Thanksgiving blog post yesterday with the video full of food squeaking that included Burrito inhaling a piece of Celebration Roast made by our friends at Field Roast.

For most Americans, now that the big feast is behind us, it’s the dreaded or celebrated Black Friday, the day that shoppers everywhere are searching for the best deals, and non-shoppers are tucked away in their homes avoiding the madness (maybe some of them doing some secret shopping online).

Pal Candy CaneLucky for all of you, we have a way for everyone to feel good about today – join our Holiday Pal fundraising contest!

Your donations literally put the food on the table for the chimpanzees (okay, maybe it’s not really a table, but you know what I mean), and we particularly rely on monthly donations to keep the bills paid and keep us inspired to do more, so please consider the Alpha Pal or Best Friends Pal donation levels.

Right now Foxie is ahead in the Pal fundraising, but that could change at any minute. Keep updated by watching the photos fill up the chimps’ candy canes!

You can become a Pal online, send us a check, or even give us a call (509-699-0728). I’ll personally take your donation over the phone today – there’s no way I’m facing any shopping crowds, so I’ll just be sitting here in the office with the phone waiting for you to call.

If you’re still looking for shopping deals, Zazzle is offering 60% off calendars (and a bunch of other sales), so you can pick up your 2014 Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest calendar for a bargain price. You may as well get a few for gifts. Just visit the CSNW Zazzle store, get your shopping fix by selecting lots of items, and enter the promocode: BLKFRIZAZZLE when you check out. Let us know what you think about the calendar this year!

2014 calendars

Hang in there, and don’t forget that you can always come visit the blog to watch videos and see photos of the chimps to remind you of your primate family at a distance and take your mind off of shopping or any other holiday stress. The chimps are here for you because you are there for them.

Filed Under: Fundraising Tagged With: adopt, black friday, chimp, chimpanzee, deal, donate, Field Roast, Fundraising, give, holiday, non-profit, pal, shopping, sponsor-, thanksgiving

The Veterinary Clinic

April 10, 2013 by J.B.

It’s hard to believe, but the 2013 Out of the Box Gala Auction is just around the corner. These auctions have always played such an important role in funding the everyday needs of the sanctuary, but they have also been the starting point for some exciting projects through our Fund-a-Need program. Proceeds from the 2009 Fund-a-Need enabled us to build the greenhouse, which quickly became the chimps’ favorite spot year-round. And in 2010, we raised funds for Young’s Hill, providing the chimps with two acres of grass, sun, and sky.

The 2011 Fund-a-Need was the start of a different but equally important kind of project: an on-site veterinary clinic. Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest has always been fortunate to work with a large team of veterinarians to support to health and well-being of the Cle Elum Seven. Whatever happens, we know that we can rely on the expertise of Dr. Richardson, Dr. Nutter, Dr. Newschwander, and Dr. Zamzow, as well as Dr. Mensching, who is the newest member of our team. We are also grateful for the assistance of Mt. Stuart Animal Hospital, which provides us with diagnostic and pharmacy services. But to provide the chimps with the best care possible, we want to have the ability to perform surgical and diagnostic services on-site, and that is why we have begun building a mobile veterinary clinic – a simple, functional, and timely way to meet the veterinary needs of the Cle Elum Seven.

With the money raised in 2011, we have purchased a 38-foot trailer and have begun turning what was once a garage in the back of the trailer into a surgical and exam room.

Clinic trailer 4-10-13

Clinic 4-10-13

Project V.E.T.S. generously donated a dual surgical lamp, a microscope, and a wide variety of supplies. If you aren’t familiar with Project V.E.T.S., I encourage you to check out their great work through their website or Facebook page.

Now it’s time to finish what we started. With your help, we will install a shelter and hook-ups for the trailer and outfit the clinic with a full range of equipment, from autoclave and anesthesia machines to portable x-ray and ultrasound.

You can contribute to this project by attending the Out of the Box auction on May 4th in Seattle or by donating to the Fund-a-Need portion of the online auction. And if you have equipment that you would like to donate to our project, we’d love to hear from you.

 

Filed Under: Construction, Events, Fundraising, Thanks, Wishlist Tagged With: anesthesia, auction, autoclave, chimpanzee, clinic, donate, events, gala, mobile, northwest, out of the box, Sanctuary, seattle, surgical, trailer, ultrasound, veterinary, xray

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PO Box 952
Cle Elum, WA 98922
[email protected]
509-699-0728
501c3 registered charity
EIN: 68-0552915

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest Nonprofit Overview and Reviews on GreatNonprofits
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