Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Foxie

Today is for the chimpanzees and Monica Best!

by

Today we are so fortunate to have two people sponsor this day of sanctuary, Monica Best and Linda Miller! Six years ago the chimps’ good friend, Monica Best, officially declared April 23rd “Love a Chimpanzee Day” and she sponsors the day each year for the chimps. Monica has a huge heart full of love and respect for all the special animal beings we share the earth with and she does so much to make a difference in their lives. She shared this message about today: “Love a Chimpanzee Day!  In honor of my seven favorite chimps and all the dedicated staff and volunteers who care for them!!!”

Today also happens to be Monica’s birthday! Her mom, Linda Miller, chose to add even more love to the day and celebrate Monica by sponsoring today in her daughter’s honor and she wishes Monica “a very Happy Birthday.”

Monica and Linda, thank you so much for making this day so special for the chimpanzees! We wish you the happiest of days, Monica, and hope you know that because of you, their lives are better. Happy Birthday and Happy Love a Chimpanzee Day!!

Annie:

web_Annie_lie_down_rest_platform_troll_doll_GH_kh_IMG_0489

Burrito:

web_Burrito_play_blanket_fling_raceway_GH_YH_ek_IMG_8880

Foxie:

web_foxie_playface_laugh_troll_gh_dm_IMG_4038

Jamie:

web_Jamie_lie_down_boot_look_at_camera_PR_kh_IMG_0572

Jody:

web_jody_close-up_gh_kh_IMG_3660

Missy:

Missy's birthday portrait

Negra:

web_Negra_closeup_face_GH_kh_IMG_0423

Community

by

I could not help but feel incredibly moved this morning, as myself and volunteers Erin and Tanya were cleaning the Greenhouse portion of the chimpanzee’s living quarters. There is a brightly colored painting with supporter names on the one main wall that caught my attention and I stopped to really look at it. There are so many names on the wall. As I continued to look around at all of the items in the Greenhouse, all I could think about was how every component of the sanctuary is the result of a community of loving, thoughtful and caring people.

There are so many components that make up the sanctuary, including various paintings on the walls that really help to brighten the chimpanzee areas. Various structures, tires and dangling fire hoses provide space for the chimps to climb, play, and rest. Countless blankets and enrichment items contribute to the chimpanzees’ comfort and well-being. Even the tools we use to clean, including the scrub brushes, squeegees, buckets, soap, right down to the very gloves we wear, help staff and volunteers keep the enclosures clean. Fresh fruits and vegetables make up each of the meals, while bamboo planted around Young’s Hill and in the Greenhouse give the chimps extra nesting and foraging material. And then there are the enclosures and storage spaces themselves that have been made possible by those who have donated their time, energy, expertise and the actual materials needed to construct them.

All of CSNW, every square inch, every little detail, has been made possible by countless volunteers and generous supporters. These chimpanzees are loved world wide and I can’t think of a better gift to give them than a community that is dedicated to their well-being. I know it can never make up for the countless ways in which they have been wronged in the past, but it’s the best we all can do to provide them a now and a future that is full of hope, love and sanctuary.

Looking around and seeing all the parts that make up the whole got me to thinking, why do we do it? Why do we dedicate our lives to the well-being of these chimpanzees? Is it a sense of responsibility, a way to show our compassion for all living beings, or is it when we look into their eyes, we see ourselves? Perhaps there are no words to describe why. What is your reason for being a part of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest?

Annie
web_Annie_sit_structure_leg_up_YH_kh_IMG_0755

Burrito
web_Burrito_mouthful_chow_forage_sit_GH_kh_IMG_9576

Foxie
web_Foxie_closeup_face_FR4_kh_IMG_5756

Jamie
web_Jamie_walk_look_at_camera_YH_kd_IMG_1393

Jody
web_Jody_forage_grass_in_mouth_YH_kd_IMG_1397

Missy
web_Missy_forage_native_plant_in_mouth_YH_kd_IMG_1388

Negra
web_Negra_eat_lettuce_forage_look_at_camera_PR_kh_IMG_8755

Which ever way you choose to support the sanctuary, know that you have and will continue to make a huge impact on the lives of these chimpanzees. And thank you!!! Thank you those who have and those who continue to volunteer at the sanctuary; those who have donated their time, energy and services to help our various fundraising efforts including the HOOT! Gala event; those who help spread the word about the plight of chimpanzees in captivity and in the wild through our Eyes on Apes advocacy program; those who have donated items through our Wishlist, and those who choose to Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one or directly sponsor a chimpanzee through our Chimpanzee Pal program. Thank you for being a part of the CSNW community.

Foxie the Brave

by

In the three and a half years since we opened Young’s Hill, the chimpanzees’ two-acre outdoor habitat, the chimps have become more and more comfortable with the wide open space it provides. It didn’t happen immediately for many of them. After living for thirty years in climate-controlled buildings, touching nothing but steel and concrete, it takes time to adjust to the feeling of wind through your hair, or hot sun on your back, or rain. Not to mention how vulnerable and exposed they must have felt in such a huge space – it wouldn’t have been surprising if one or more of the chimps decided not to venture out at all.

But they did go outside, and they have continued to go outside on most days since we first opened the hill. They have gradually become more at ease with things that they wouldn’t tolerate in the early days, like wind and rain and cold temperatures. Almost four years later, they’re still making strides.

In the last couple of weeks, Foxie has been pushing the boundaries of her own personal comfort zone and spending more time alone on Young’s Hill. Until recently, she has stayed near the bottom of the hill, closer to the familiar chimp house, during her excursions outside. The other day, though, I was on a perimeter walk with Jamie and we found Foxie all alone at the very top of the hill, calmly and methodically exploring. I thought she might be relieved to see us, and join us on our walk back down to the chimp house, but she remained up there by herself, walking around in the grass. There are certain moments when one of the chimps surprises you in the best way, and that was one of them.

Today really feels like spring in Cle Elum – warm temperatures and a pleasant breeze – so we set up a lunch forage on Young’s Hill. Foxie was one of the last ones to remain outside after the others had gone back into the greenhouse with their food.

web_Foxie_forage_Dora_troll_doll_enrichment_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_1148

web_Foxie_forage_bipedal_Dora_doll_enrichment_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_1147

web_Foxie_forage_Dora_troll_doll_enrichment_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_1149

web_Foxie_forage_Dora_doll_enrichment_in_mouth_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_1152

web_Foxie_forage_Dora_doll_enrichment_in_mouth_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_1151

web_Foxie_stand_Dora_doll_enrichment_in_mouth_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_1155

web_Foxie_lunch_forage_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_1158

web_Foxie_forage_hold_Dora_troll_doll_enrichment_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_1144

Changing perspectives

by

It’s hard to imagine the chimpanzees once being so different from who we know them to be today. I think this on most days, and yet every day they each show us another dimension of themselves. These seven individuals, so full of life, personality, courage and intelligence spent decades forced to live on the periphery of their lives. But with each passing season they become more fully themselves.

A year or so ago, and for some of the chimpanzees even less, we would not have had to “squint” to see who was out on Young’s Hill, so far away they appear a mere speck among the greenery. This season in particular, the chimpanzees seem to be embodying a spring of their own, literally changing and growing by the day.

Annie:

web_annie_step_onto_bridge_yh_kd_IMG_0830

web_annie_sit_platform_yh_kd_IMG_0828

Burrito:

web_burrito_sit_beam_yh_kd_IMG_0844

web_burrito_sit_beam_look_camera_yh_kd_IMG_0846

All the chimpanzees (with the exception of Negra for whom the outdoor temperatures are still not quite warm enough) enjoyed wandering far and wide on Young’s Hill after breakfast this morning. They often head out as a troop at this time, but where they used to stick together, they much more frequently spread out to take in their own adventure while just keeping an eye on one another. But that said, once someone starts to head back to the greenhouse the others often follow.

Missy (L) and Jamie (R):

web_jamie_missy_behind_bamboo_yh_kd_IMG_0831

From left to right: Annie, Missy, and Jamie

web_jamie_missy_annie_bamboo_yh_kd_IMG_0833

Jamie:

web_jamie_walk_log_yh_look_down_kd_IMG_0851

web_jamie_closeup_look_down_yh_kd_IMG_0855

web_jamie_profile_closeup_yh_kd_IMG_0852

When they all headed back inside this morning I greeted each of them as they passed by and quickly realized Foxie was missing from the group. I stood up, my eyes scanning the hill for a sign of her, and I finally spotted her at the very top of the furthest climbing structure, perfectly content and enjoying her solitude with Dora and Troll.

web_foxie_dora_sit_platform_yh_profile_kd_IMG_0862

When she saw that I had spotted her, she gave me a head nod and play slapped the platform as she shook Dora in my direction. I nodded back to her in acknowledgement and waited for her to eventually make her way back to the chimp house. In such moments I don’t think I could fully express all that is in my heart in seeing each of their hearts and souls blooming. Knowing what an immense journey it has been, and continues to be for each of them. The chimpanzees help remind me to accept things as they are each day. But to always hold the space, the expectation, and the hope for the ever changing gifts of each passing season.

web_foxie_dora_sit_platform_yh_look_kd_IMG_0867

web_foxie_under_bridge_yh_kd_IMG_0631

web_foxie_walk_troll_dora_yh_kd_IMG_0635

Celebrating Easter Chimp Style

by

How did the chimpanzees celebrate the Easter holiday this year? In pure chimp fashion, of course (meaning, a lot of food, enrichment and a good ol’ fashion Easter egg hunt on Young’s Hill). Some of the party preparations included festive blankets, streamers, boxes in the shape of bunnies, books, toys, Easter baskets, bags and eggs.

web_Easter_enrichment_preparations_ek_IMG_0399

We decided to set out a breakfast forage in the Greenhouse this morning using appropriate dinnerware, including Easter cups, plates, napkins and straws. Breakfast consisted of grapefruit, muskmelon, grapes and oranges. Probably the biggest hit (next to primate chow) was the morning banana, almond milk, coconut flake smoothie topped with violet flowers.

web_Easter_breakfast_smoothie_straws_ek_IMG_0401

web_Easter_breakfast_forage_preparation_ek_IMG_0403

Setting up the streamers and the forage is a pretty exciting time and the chimps will often watch from the windows of the loft area that overlooks the Greenhouse. There’s usually a lot of food squeaks, head nodding and intense watching from the chimps, as staff and volunteers use their skills to transform an area into a party room.

web_Easter_setup_preparations_GH_kh_IMG_0404

web_Easter_breakfast_forage_food_enrichment_GH_kh_IMG_0406

And what would Easter be without an Easter egg hunt? Young’s Hill is the perfect place for just that. We also “planted” carrots, beets, radishes and kohlrabi on the hill for the chimps to forage for lunch.

And finally, photos of the Cle Elum 7 enjoying their Easter party today.

Negra
web_Easter_Negra_lick_smoothie_cup_closeup_GH_ek_IMG_0438

web_Easter_Negra_forage_kohlrabi_YH_kh_IMG_0763

Jamie
web_Easter_Jamie_drink_breakfast_smoothie__lick_straw_GH_ek_IMG_0450

web_Easter_Jamie_forage_eggs_YH_kh_IMG_0738

Jody
web_Easter_Jody_inspect_basket_GH-ek_IMG_0466

Foxie
web_Easter_Foxie_hold_troll_doll_look_cup_smoothie_GH_ek_IMG_0556

web_Easter_Foxie_inspect_cup_smoothie_breakfast_GH_ek_IMG_0497

web_Easter_Foxie_dora_doll_look_for_forage_YH_ek_IMG_0782

Burrito
web_Easter_Burrito_eat_orange_breakfast_forage_GH_ek_IMG_0462

web_Easter_Burrito_hands_full_chow_breakfast_forage_GH_ek_IMG_0538

web_Easter_Burrito_forage_chow_YH_kh_IMG_0743

Missy
web_Easter_Missy_qp_platform_enrichment_GH_ek_IMG_0537

web_Easter_Missy_eat_forage_beets_chow_YH_kh_IMG_0812

Annie
web_Easter_Annie_inspect_bunny_box_enrichment_basket_GH_ek_IMG_0481

web_Easter_Annie_mouthful_handful_chow_breakfast_forage_GH_ek_IMG_0518

web_Easter_Annie_forage_eggs_eat_chow_YH_kh_IMG_0800

Sometimes I wonder who has more fun at these parties; the humans or the chimpanzees. Often times, weeks before a holiday or birthday party, there is talk of what sorts of items (food, enrichment, decorations, etc.) that would be “chimp approved” that can be used to throw the party. Then there’s the time and energy that go into the preparation of the food, enrichment and the actual party setup (and clean up too). Every single bit of it is completely worth it, once we see how much the chimps enjoy the parties.

Parties are a way of breaking up the routine of day-to-day life and we’re more than happy to make this happen for the chimps, but we certainly do not do it alone. We want to be sure to offer a huge thank you to everyone that helps make celebrations like these so special, including Jayne Roepke, Lisa Stuverud, and Patti Sims. Thank you for all of the holiday decorations, enrichment, eggs and food. You helped make this Easter a hit!!

The wild and the weird

by

When given the opportunity, chimpanzees who have spent their entire lives in laboratory cages can learn to be chimps again.

They can learn to climb, run, leap, and swing:

web Missy at top of climbing structure post bamboo YH IMG_4412

They can learn to forage for their own snacks:

web_Jody_wide_eyes_bamboo_YH_jb_IMG_3720

And they can learn to patrol and defend their territory :

web_Jamie_look_into_distance_mountains_YH_jb_IMG_3396

But it takes patience. When you’ve spent your entire life surrounded by concrete and bars, those things can end up providing a certain kind of comfort. It’s what you know. It’s all you’ve ever known.

Little by little, the chimps at CSNW have embraced new opportunities, confronted some of their fears, and found that there was a little more “wild” in them than they may have realized when they were locked up in that laboratory basement.

This year, these changes seem to be happening at an accelerated pace. Burrito has been joining Jamie on her walks around the hill, and even going it alone at times. A couple of weeks ago, Foxie was seen sitting on the shaky bridge – a huge step for someone who has always been afraid of anything not firmly bolted down.

And this morning, we saw almost the entire troop take a walk up the hill together, far away from the building, just for the fun of it.

web_Five_chimps_on_walk_YH_jb_IMG_0631

But along with patience, you also need understanding. Because these new experiences are adding to who they are, not replacing who they were. Foxie may be exploring new play structures, but she’s relying on Dora more than ever:

web_Foxie_walk_dora_in_mouth_YH_jb_IMG_9924

And while Jamie may be walking miles each day around the perimeter of Young’s Hill, she is ever more adamant that we dress in cowboy boots to go along with her. Let me give you an example of how particular she has become: Jamie’s favorite boots for the last few months have been a pair of all black women’s cowboy boots. She insists that her caregivers put them on before heading out on a walk. But some of us, ahem, do not fit easily into women’s boots, no matter how hard we try. That doesn’t concern Jamie. For a while, I tried to fake like I had them on, sticking just my toes in and then pulling my jeans down over them to cover my heels sticking out. No dice. As you put them on, she stares intently to ensure that you are wearing them properly. Heels must be all the way down.

web_JB_small_boots_IMG_6592

There are times when I am reminded how crazy this all is – like when we finish up a walk and I return to the entry gate, only to have to strut my stuff across the driveway in ladies boots as the UPS driver unloads packages at the door. They must really wonder what’s going on here.

It’s crazy, but it’s who they are. You can’t erase their past, or what it’s led them to become. And why would you want to? So while we strive to provide more and more “wild” in their lives, we can never stop embracing the weird.

web_Jamie_walk_YH_jb_IMG_0350

Too Close for Comfort?

by

Chimpanzees spend a lot of time grooming each other. Grooming serves hygienic purposes – removing dead skin, tending to wounds – but maybe more importantly it serves to strengthen bonds between individuals. Chimpanzees don’t seem to have the same hangups about personal space as many of us do; they are not shy about getting right up in each other’s faces (or other body parts). It’s hard to imagine how two individuals wouldn’t be closer after a chimpanzee grooming session.

For the most part, the chimps seem to take these invasions of personal space in stride. This afternoon, though, I found poor Foxie pinned into a corner of the greenhouse by Burrito and Jamie, who were both showering her with (seemingly unwanted) attention. She looked like she wouldn’t mind a little breathing room (that’s Burrito in front of Foxie with his back to the camera, and Jamie on the right).

web_Jamie_Burrito_groom_Foxie_GH_ek_IMG_0507

web_Jamie_Burrito_groom_Foxie_awkward_GH_ek_IMG_0506

web_Jamie_Burrito_groom_Foxie_awkward_GH_ek_IMG_0505

web_Jamie_Burrito_groom_Foxie_awkward_GH_ek_IMG_0504