Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Jody

Donnie’s Day

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Today we’re remembering and celebrating a special person on what would have been his 62nd birthday: Donnie Pfeiffer. Donnie was the brother of one of Foxie’s most dedicated supporters, Karen Young. Since Donnie was an archaeologist, we created a special “dig site” for the chimps to celebrate his birthday. We put fresh straw in the outdoor enclosure and scattered treats so that the chimps would have to hunt for them. For more fine-tuned digging, we also put out raisin boards and big blocks of ice with cranberries, raisins, and apples frozen inside. Jamie and Missy have been working on excavating the cranberries all day. Donnie also founded the Vermont Wooden Game Company, so we gave the chimps lots of wooden toys today too. Among other things Donnie was a world adventurer, a free spirit, an animal lover, a decorated veteran, and a very dedicated brother, son, and father (to his three pups!). Happy Birthday Donnie!

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More fun than a blanketful of trolls

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In an effort to encourage Foxie to explore more types of enrichment, Diana had the idea to tie several trolls into a blanket. Foxie carried this “troll blanket” around with her today for quite awhile, sometimes walking tripedally while cradling the blanket in her free arm. The troll blanket also inspired some great play between Foxie and Jody:

Animal Legal Defense Fund Blog

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Recently, the chimps received a visit from Joyce Tischler, founder and general counsel of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), and Bruce Wagman, ALDF’s chief outside litigation counsel (and also a CSNW board member). Bruce and Joyce have written wonderful accounts of their first trip to meet the Cle Elum Seven, which you can read on their blog. You’ll also find never before seen videos of Jody and Foxie! We encourage everyone to check it out and support the great work that ALDF does every day to protect animals.

Jody and the toy chimpanzee

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Jody didn’t quite know what to make of the plastic chimp toy we put out for enrichment the other day. She decided to take things into her own hands and threw a “car” at the toy.

She got out of the way in case the toy retaliated.

Lessons from chimpanzees

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When I am feeling down, I think about the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees at CSNW and everything they have been through in their lives.

I am amazed and humbled that Jody, after decades of living in a small cage in a medical laboratory, after having seven babies taken from her, can still enjoy relaxing in the February sun, holding her feet:

Jody outside in the sun, holding her feet

and Foxie, who endured research protocols, five babies being taken from her, and periods of social isolation, can greet each day with the desire to play with her caregivers and her chimpanzee friends

Foxie with playface, tickling Jamie

and Missy and Annie, who spent years without each other, can decide to sleep in together, napping in the side-by-side nests they created in the playroom

Side-by-side nests made by Annie and Missy

When I think about my chimpanzee friends and their lives, I realize I have little to complain about. And, if I can remember to live for today as they do, each day should include relaxation, happiness, play and companionship.