Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
Sometimes a chimp will savor something that’s so delicious, that another chimp will feel the need to come over and watch them intently (sometimes awkwardly close) as they eat. We call this behavior food peering. Today Burrito had a wadge (a lip full) of chewed up primate chow. After he added a couple chewable vitamins to the wadge, Foxie came over and peered jealously at his hoard.
Last week Jamie was caught carefully brushing a new doll’s long blond hair.
Here’s a reminder, in case you missed it:
Well, I thought I’d share what that perfectly coiffed doll looked like later that same day (after Foxie got a hold of her):
Being a well-loved toy has its price.
Today one of the chimpanzees’ new friends, Peggy Burke, is remembering her husband, Thomas, and celebrating their life together by sponsoring a day of sanctuary in his memory. Peggy shared, “January 8th was my husband’s birthday and we used to spend a lot of time in the Cle Elum area. What better way to remember him than by helping the Cle Elum Seven.”
Peggy, thank you so much for contributing to the chimpanzees’ lives and home, providing them the space so heal, grow, transform and to rejoice in what life brings their way each day. Cle Elum is such a beautiful area and it’s wonderful that you have such fond memories of the time you spent here together. We are so touched that you would include the chimpanzees in your life and on such a special day. We’re honored to remember Thomas here today and are sending you all the good thoughts, hoping this day brings you comfort, joy and love as you have helped provide the chimpanzees.
Burrito and Foxie:
It’s often still surprising for people when they learn the chimpanzees are living here. We are so grateful to all our supporters and give special thanks to our local friends and neighbors who have welcomed the chimps with open arms and continue to support and protect them as members of their community. The Cle Elum City Council even awarded the chimps honorary citizens status shortly before their first anniversary here!
Jamie:
Jody, Missy, and Annie:
Annie and Missy:
Foxie and France Dora:
Burrito and Negra:
It never ceases to amaze us, the love and care that abounds for the chimpanzees from wonderful people the world over. Today Manuela Santacreu is gifting the chimpanzees with a day of sanctuary in celebration of her 50th birthday! Manuela has been celebrating her birthdays with the chimpanzees for the past few years and it means so much to us and especially the chimps. She shared this message about her gift:
“Pour mes 50 ans, le plus beau des cadeau ce sera le bien être sur le visage de Foxie et ses compagnons ! Merci pour tout ce que vous faites pour eux, et pour le plaisir que me procure la lecture de leurs aventures sur FB!” (Translated with relative accuracy we hope 🙂 ) “For my 50 years, the most beautiful gift will be the well being on the face of Foxie and her companions! Thank you for everything you do for them, and for the pleasure of reading their adventures on FB!”
Manuela, thank you so much for your generous gift! We hope you’re having a beautiful day of celebration on your very special day. We are at the beginning of another arctic blast here at the sanctuary with temperatures near and below zero at night and only reaching low teens during the day so the chimps will be celebrating along with you from the warmth of their toasty chimp house.
Foxie and her beloved France Dora, enjoying warmer days:
Though Foxie adores Dora dolls (particularly France Dora, her favorite Dora of all the Dora’s!) she has become quite smitten with Dora’s friends, Kate, Alana, Emma and Naiya and she seems particularly taken with whipping around their long, lustrous (at least for the first hour or so) locks.
Happy New Year everyone!!
Many of you avid blog readers know that we like to celebrate the holidays here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and since it’s New Year’s Day, we decided to throw another party! Parties are a great way to celebrate holidays, birthdays, the changing of the seasons, and just-because days.
What gets the chimpanzees so excited about parties you might ask? Well, I’d like to sometimes think it’s all about how we decorate the various enclosures…
…but really, it’s more about the food and drinks. In fact, food and drinks tend to be the central theme to most any party.
Little did I know, until Diana brought it up, that there are traditional foods eaten the night before and on New Year’s Day. Black eyed peas, green foods, grapes and cabbage are a few foods considered to bring abundance, luck and prosperity in the New Year. And circle-shaped foods signify the year coming full circle. So, in keeping with the green foods tradition, we set out green grapes, lettuce and alfalfa cubes and included round nuts for the circle shaped foods…
…and sparkling apple cider for toasting.
To keep with tradition, the dinner for tonight will include black eyed peas with rice, topped with roasted onions and sweet potatoes.
Here are some of the pictures from this morning’s party in the Playroom.
Jamie
Missy
Burrito
Foxie
Annie
Negra
Jody celebrated the New Year upstairs in the loft, so I was unable to get any photos of her.
Wishing you and yours a most happy New Year!!!
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by the chimpanzees’ dear friend, Tracy Headley! Tracy is celebrating her CSNW family on her birthday and we couldn’t be happier to celebrate HER today! Tracy is one of the kindest, most compassionate souls and seems to bring light and love to all those fortunate enough to know her. The chimps and humans here are thrilled to have her as part of our chimpanzee family.
Tracy, thank you for honoring the chimpanzees in celebration of your life today! You and your family do so much to ensure your chimp family will only know lives of joy, celebration, hope. adventure, and love. We are grateful to you for cherishing the chimps for the amazing individuals they are. Happiest of birthdays from all of us! We are so fortunate to have you in the world. And happy birthday hoots and squeaks from your pals:
Burrito:
Foxie:
Jody:
