As year 2025 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year had at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
While the sanctuary routine mostly stayed consistent and predictable, a spanner was thrown in the works when we got news of a 21-year-old male chimpanzee, living alone at a roadside zoo in Oregon, and planning to be seized by OSP and OHS.
Rescuing George was undeniably the biggest thing that happened at our sanctuary this year. Whether it be the rescue itself, the quarantine period after, building relationships with George as he adjusted to his new home, watching him explore the outdoors in a way he has never before, or conducting chimpanzee introductions for George to integrate into a social group, it has been a rewarding adventure.
Other highlights of the year include: Willy B getting silly, Honey B started to throw bouncy balls out of the Mezzanine (heads up caregivers!), Missy turned 50 years old in August, the HOOT! fundraiser in October, new Bray structures built, and it really was the year of PRT hand injections for exams (all chimps voluntarily participated in their injections to be anesthetized for their exams – a hard task!).
What was your personal highlight of the year from CSNW? What was your personal highlight outside of CSNW?
Tell us!
Mave:
