Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Foxie

Take-out or Dine in?

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Lunch time is usually a pretty peaceful affair for the chimpanzees. The morning cleaning has just finished and the chimps get to enjoy their meal in any part of their enclosure that they wish. Usually, most of the chimpanzees will linger in the area that we serve the meal so they don’t miss any of the lunch action. Some chimpanzees (especially Missy), will take their vegetables and eat them in a different area for privacy or comfort.

Today Missy took her vegetables to her nest upstairs in the playroom. She came back to the lunch service to grab the food she was interested in and chose to take it all “to-go.”
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The last course of lunch is small paper bags filled with primate chow (2 per chimpanzee). The bags signal that lunch is over and are convenient for each chimp to take their portions off to their own space. This way, the last part of lunch can be spent leisurely snacking.

Burrito took his portion up the stairs in the playroom.
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Negra saved a pepper to go with her chow bags today.
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Annie made a wadge in her lips with all of her chow.
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And Foxie savored each piece.
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Happy Birthday, Tracy!

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Today, incredibly, we have three supporters sponsoring this day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees! We begin the day with a sponsorship by Tracy Headley, a dear friend (to chimps and humans alike) and member of our sanctuary family. Tracy probably wouldn’t tell you this, but she lives her life every day bringing light, support, comfort and love to so many beings – both human and non. She is celebrating her birthday today and shared this touching message:

“Again this year I celebrate my friends at CSNW on my birthday. Every day of the year they are a gift in my life.”

Happy Birthday, Tracy! Thank you so much for all that you do for the chimpanzees. You hold them in your heart and make a difference in their lives at every opportunity. We are thrilled to celebrate your special day with you and can’t say how happy we are that you are part of our chimpanzee family. You are a special soul and you make the world a better place by being here. We hope you have a fabulous day full of all good things! With lots of hooting!

Here are your pals to help start your celebration off right:

Ms. Foxie:

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Burrito:

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Jody:

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More winter treats

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Winter is in full swing here at the sanctuary. And by full swing, I mean there is easily over a foot of snow on the ground, icicles are hanging from the roof and the snow continues to fall as I sit here writing this blog post. Luckily, winter brings about treats that these chimps sure do seem to enjoy!

Can you guess what Annie is up to in the next photo?

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How about now? Hint: take a close look in her mouth…
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Did you guess right?
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The next picture is a little blurry, but I think you can see how pilo erect (hair standing on end) that Burrito was when foraging for the snow and icicles.
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Foxie took her cup of snow up to the loft to eat.

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Jamie sat next to her cup of snow and icicles.
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Thank you, Karen!

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We are so thankful to also have Karen Bugni sponsoring today for the chimpanzees! Karen shared that she wanted to sponsor today as “A gift for the chimps!” It’s immensely moving to witness how much care and compassion these seven special souls inspire and we are thrilled to see them surrounded by so much love.

Karen, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees and wanting to give them this special Christmas gift! We are so grateful to you and hope you know that you make a difference in their lives. All of us here at CSNW wish you the happiest of holidays!

Foxie with a snow-snack:

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Every year it seems the love for these seven amazing chimpanzees grows more and more and this year is no different. You all have stocked the chimp house shelves for chimps and humans alike with items we needed from our Wishlist, sent donations, and boxes and boxes of gifts for the chimpanzees to have on Christmas day. You are amazing! We are immensely grateful to each and every one of you for your support of these seven special chimpanzees and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving them lives of love, comfort and celebration. From all of the primates here at CSNW, Merry Everything and a Happy Always! And be sure to tune in later today for the chimpanzees’ holiday festivities!

Today is in memory of Soldier

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Amy Ferreira and her family in memory of their beloved pitbull, Soldier. Amy shared this message about today:

“Sponsored in memory of Soldier, our 14 year old Pitbull Rescue. His personality quirks and loving gentle nature made him so special to us. And we love seeing you honour the Chimps’ personalities, quirks, and their day to day choices! The work you do and your blogs sharing with us are good for the soul!”

Amy, we are so touched that you would sponsor a day for the chimpanzees in honor of Soldier’s memory. It makes us so happy to know of rescue animals, especially sweet pitbulls, finding the loving homes they all deserve. Thank you for all you do to make the lives of so many animals better and for having given Soldier such a special forever family all his own. We are so happy to get to share in his life and honor him here today.

Soldier and his human sibling:

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Amy shared that Soldier’s version of troll dolls were his much adored “quacker” stuffed duck toys which he loved to nest with. I suspect Foxie would understand completely:

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Lunch With the Chimps

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The chimpanzees eat three meals a day, and at most mealtimes they’re asked to shift out of a certain area so we can close off that area to clean. (There’s nothing quite like food to motivate!) Lunch is an exception to this rule. Since we don’t do any cleaning at lunch, the chimps have free run of the entire sanctuary during the meal. The server chooses an area to serve, and the chimps come to that area to get their food, but they can then take their food wherever they choose.

Today volunteer caregiver Becca started serving lunch in the greenhouse, but the chimps quickly let her know it was too cold, so she came inside back inside the building to serve in the front rooms. Most of the chimps tend to stay put throughout the meal, but Missy – always on the move – likes to show up at the beginning of each “course”, grab her serving, and take it off to enjoy in the playroom.

Today’s lunch consisted of tomatoes, bell peppers, celery, and green onions.

Today is for the Taylor Family!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Meg Lunnum in honor of her family, the Taylors! Meg is a wonderful long-time friend of the chimpanzees and humans alike and she shared this beautiful message for her family:

“My little brother, Alan, who chose to be vegan. My sister-in-law, Angie, who is my yoga mentor and an instructor for Mindful Yoga that includes military veterans, and my two nephews, Harrison and Mitchell, who will grow up to be the most amazing persons thanks to their parents! And, hopefully, their Auntie. I love you all!!!!”

Meg, thank you so much for always holding the chimpanzees in your heart and including them in your family! We so appreciate all you do to make their lives, and the lives of so many other animal beings, better.

Alan, Angie, Harrison and Mitchell, you each sound like amazing people, just like Meg! All of us here at CSNW wish you the happiest of holidays! Thank you so much for caring about the chimp. We are so grateful to know how many wonderful friends the chimpanzees have. Even including some from the most unlikely of places…

Foxie and her troll friend:

Troll doll whispering to Foxie

Jamie and her boot friend:

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Negra and her blanket friend:

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