Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Foxie

Here Comes the Sun

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We had a cold, snowy, gray February here in Cle Elum – not the kind of weather these chimpanzees appreciate. So we’re all thrilled that spring is imminent. The skies are blue again, the sun is out, and the temperatures are mild.

The weather was so beautiful as I was driving to the sanctuary this morning that I decided we’d try to set up a breakfast forage on Young’s Hill for the chimps. But soon a cool wind picked up, so we opted for the sunny and warm greenhouse instead. The chimps thought this was a great idea.

Burrito:

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Annie:

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Missy:

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Foxie:

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Negra:

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Jody:

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Satisfaction

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There is a look I am privileged to see on the faces of the chimpanzees living in sanctuary here and it is a look that gives me chills every time I see it. It is the look of satisfaction, which, to me, is even better than joy. Merriam Webster defines the word as follows:

sat·is·fac·tion \?sa-t?s-?fak-sh?n\

: a happy or pleased feeling because of something that you did or something that happened to you

: the act of providing what is needed or desired; the act of satisfying a need or desire

: a result that deals with a problem or complaint in an acceptable way

I can’t think of a more fitting description of the act of sanctuary. Knowing that we have provided the satisfaction of freedom of choice whether large or small is an incomparable gift. It can be an elusive look to try to capture on film though. Can you see it?

Jamie:
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Negra:
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Burrito:
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Missy:

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Foxie:
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Jody:
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Annie:
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Foxie and Her Trolls: A History

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When Foxie first came to the sanctuary about five and a half years ago, she took her time getting adjusted to her new home. She didn’t fully trust her caregivers right away, and she didn’t want anything to do with the enrichment that was offered to her.

About a month after the chimpanzees’ arrival, Diana came across a troll doll at a secondhand shop and grabbed it, thinking it might make good chimp enrichment. That troll doll was destined to change Foxie’s life. (You can see one of the very first photos taken of Foxie and her new friend in this early blog post.)

Trixie (the doll stuck by Foxie’s side for so long that the staff eventually gave her a name) was well-loved and soon the staff put out a call for more troll dolls. People responded, and here is Foxie’s collection today:

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Foxie’s favorite doll changes frequently; recently, it’s been this tiny fuzzy orange one. Who knows what we’ll see her carrying next week?

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Today is in memory of Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Joan O’Flaherty in memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen.  Although Ned and Noreen were born 2 years apart, they shared the same birthdate of March 1st. Ned and Noreen also shared a great love for animals and their environment, and valued the conservation of both. Joan generously sponsors this day each year in honor of her parents because she feels they would have loved the chimpanzees.

Joan, thank you so much! We are so touched that you include the chimpanzees in such a special memory and it makes us happy to think that your parents still get to be a part of the sanctuary and providing a forever home for the chimpanzees.

Good friends, Burrito (left) and Foxie (right), enjoying each others’ company:

Burrito playfully bite Foxie's hand

It’s Groundhog Day, Again

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Okay, okay, yesterday was actually Groundhog Day but, as it happens, it was also GAME DAY so we may have been a little bit distracted! As it turns out, it appears the Groundhog has predicted 6 more weeks of winter. [And a Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl win! Oh, wait that wasn’t Punxsutawney Phil, that was me. Did I mention I love football?] Seahawks pride aside, the wind and the snow seem to be in agreement with the prognosticating rodent and have conspired to keep the chimpanzees primarily indoors today.

Annie, in the playroom, relaxing on the bridge:
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Burrito, in the playroom, playing with a wooden toy:
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Negra, in the playroom, lying down on the catwalk and watching Burrito from above:
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Foxie, in the playroom, observing the paparazzi:
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Jody, in the front rooms, relaxing on a bench:
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Missy, also in the front rooms, relaxing on the bench:
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You may be wondering about Jamie’s whereabouts. I can assure you she was around and making her usual rounds but was in no mood to have her picture taken today. Since she is the boss, I was only too happy to oblige her request!