Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Jody

A spring celebration, just because

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It’s watermelon season and since the chimpanzees haven’t had a party in days, we thought what better thing to do than have an impromptu watermelon bowl party! Just because! We halved personal size watermelons and filled them with blueberries, strawberries, purple cabbage, cucumber, mini-peppers, avocado, wild roses, and chives. And what chimp party is complete without sparkling cider?

Jody:

Annie:

Negra collecting bowls:

Missy:

This guy:

Jamie lingering over the wild roses, one of her favorite things to eat:

Everybody has their favorite parts and style of eating the bowls. Foxie was all about the bowls themselves, scraping as much off the rind as she could:

The chimps spent most of the afternoon in various locations of the chimp house deep in watermelon bowl-induced naps. I came upon Annie, sound asleep in the greenhouse with the breeze blowing on her hair. But at one point she managed to find a bit of rind leftover to chew on before drifting back to sleep. She didn’t even open her eyes!:

Spring has just been a kaleidoscope of birds swirling through the cacophony of their songs, yellow and purple wildflowers covering neon green fields, warm days and cool breezes, neighboring wildlife going about all their wild lives…I mean, it’s just amazing. An ode to life, and sometimes death, just watching it all. And the fact that the chimps and their home are at the center of all this is a celebration all it’s own. We hope you are all soaking in all the beauty of this season as much as the chimps. It’s because of you that all their days are ones to celebrate.

Follow the Leader

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After the chimps received access to Young’s Hill this morning, almost everyone went out! Missy and Annie were playing a fun game of what looked like, follow the leader. I am sure we are all familiar with this grade school game, where one friend leads and the other friend has to copy what they do. Well, I observed the chimp version of that today! As we all know Missy is very good at running, climbing, balancing, and just basically being a chimp. So in this game, naturally Missy was the leader and Annie followed, however as you will see in the photos Annie will do her own variations and what she finds most comfortable for her.

Missy starts of by climbing up Negra’s Cabin:

Then Annie follows:

Missy then walks the tight rope:

Annie follows, but decides to do it her way:

And gracefully sticks the landing:

While this game was happening, Jamie went for a perimeter walk accompanied by Foxie and Jody:

Burrito kept a close eye on everyone from his view up top:

And Negra, well she was too comfortable to get up (I mean really comfy):

I also have some extra photos I thought should not be left out!

Jamie put a sock on this morning and was running around and playing chase (this is the only photo she would let me take of her and the sock):

Jody:

Burrito following Jody on the Hill:

Comforting Negra

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Looking back at our past snake videos, there is a reason you don’t see Negra involved in any of the action of eradication. She wants nothing to do with it. This morning I think she spotted something in the grass on Young’s Hill that resembled a snake, because she started alarm calling and retreating back towards the greenhouse. Negra is pretty socially savvy, and she knows just who to seek help and reassurance from.

She first headed towards Jody to let her know she was distressed. Here she is fear grimacing (not a happy smile for chimpanzees).

She found shelter on a log where she could keep off the ground and continued to whimper and alarm call.

Luckily she has a friend like Jody to do some snake investigation for her.

And she has Foxie on hand for emotional support:

Excitement over, it was back to the greenhouse where she could watch the activity from the safety of her nest.

Happy Birthday, Alisa!

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Today was sponsored by Ed Brooks in honor of Alisa Lemire Brooks! Ed shared this beautiful and touching message about this gift:

“Today is Alisa’s birthday. Her deep love for animals and especially those who need our help is a cornerstone of her life. The family of chimpanzees at the sanctuary have been a part of our lives for a very long time now. A visit to the sanctuary of few years back is a treasured memory. Giving a donation to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest so that all the beautiful work there continues to receive support is a present directly to Alisa’s soul. These have been hard times, we have lost three elderly dogs, all rescued, all living long happy lives, and filling ours with their presence. Maizey, Ruby and Lil are all part of this gift to the chimps as well. Love”

Ed and Alisa, this is such a beautiful tribute and gift in so many ways and we’re so touched by your compassion. We all send our heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your loved ones, Maizey, Ruby and Lil, and we’re so honored to celebrate them today along with you and the chimpanzees. The chimps are so fortunate to have you as part of their family.

Alisa we hope this day is filled with joy, comfort and love, just as you’ve brought to the lives of so many of our fellow animals. We’re so grateful to have hearts like yours in the world. Happy Birthday, from all of us at CSNW!

Joyous Missy and Burrito:

Comfy Jody and Jamie:

Foxie and Dora love:

Annie and her heart full of love:

And of course at the top, we have Negra, reveling in the peace all these amazing gifts bring.

Sunshine, flowers, and greens

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Today the chimps’ appeared to get a memo that a fresh crop of wildflowers had sprung up on Young’s Hill overnight. Or maybe Missy was the memo. As soon as everyone spotted her running down the hill with a bunch of flowers they suddenly spread out and started foraging for wild greens for themselves. At one point everyone was walking around bipedally through the tall grass picking flowers one by one to carry back to the greenhouse to enjoy.

The wild mustard is starting to grow as well which is a real summertime favorite:

Foxie, Annie and Jody:

Jody and Missy enjoying their dandelions:

Annie was a purist and chose to just eat sweet spring grass, enjoying her solitude in the sun:

Nice Day

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The chimps had a very nice day! Most of the day was spent out on the Hill or in the Green House. Everyone went straight out to Young’s Hill once it was opened, even Neggie ran out right away. Negra also lead the group out for the lunch forage today! However, it must be snake season because before anyone went outside some surveillance had to be done. Annie, who is terrified of snakes, looked out towards the Hill from in the race way, making sure her toes never touched the ground. Foxie, brave little Foxie, lead everyone out giving everyone the okay, but all the chimps made sure to keep their eye out.

Foxie:

Annie:

Negra wadging pineapple:

Miss eating chow:

Jody with a loose lip giving level 3 caregiver Jake some reassurance:

Annie bipedally walking and inspecting for snakes:

Missy, the good friend that she is, giving Annie some back up:

Foxie, Annie, & Missy going out to venture on the secure Hill:

Jody watching over everyone:

And enjoying the tall green grass:

Negra:

Missy (top), Annie (middle), Foxie (below) hanging out on the new structure:

Jamie doing her perimeter check:

Jamie and I also saw Jody and Negra along the way. They were foraging on some of the natural plants that grow on the Hill.

Jody:

Negra:

Foxie enjoying the sunshine:

Later, while cleaning was going on, we caught Jamie using a toothbrush to brush this dolls hair (It was a very sweet moment):

Days like today make my heart feel so full of joy, these chimps are simply amazing. Nothing makes you feel better than seeing happy chimps grooming and playing together all day.

 

It’s a hootin’ good time!

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Tonight’s the night! It’s our annual gala and auction, HOOT! While staff, volunteers and many of our fabulous supporters are in Seattle gearing up for an evening of merriment and celebration, the chimpanzees, meanwhile, have been having a hootin’ good time in Cle Elum.

Our dear friend (and former staff), Keri, arrived with fresh rhubarb, chives and lilacs from her garden which added to the amazing Hoot! party extravaganza. Also on the chimps’ party menu were strawberries, purple cabbage, sweet potatoes, snap peas, leeks, watermelon, sparkling cider, and one pineapple top!

Jody, among the flowers:

Jody, Annie and Foxie enjoying the treats in Jamie’s kitchenette while she was busy gathering ALL the grab bags for herself. Maybe this is something akin to their version of the Dessert Dash we hold at the gala each year?:

Annie enjoying coconut:

The entire beautiful forage was scattered with lilac flowers and Foxie took it upon herself to “hoover”all of them up. Notice her trademark rubbing her toes together as she does this – the ultimate sign of a happy Foxie:

(Toes!)

Conveniently, the flowers happen to be stuck in coconut water, hence the tongue!

My favorite, with the petals on her lip 🙂

To each of you supporting the chimps in all the varied and generous ways you do, be it supporting HOOT!, attending HOOT!, volunteering your time with us and the chimps, following the chimps’ lives on the blog, sharing their stories with others, sending gifts and donations, well, the list of compassion and generosity is endless really, and from our hearts to yours, we’re so grateful to you! It gives us hope for humankind. It not only ensures the chimpanzees continue to thrive in their lives here, and thrive they do, but gives us all hope for the chimpanzees still awaiting their time in sanctuary, something all of you are helping to make possible through celebrating with us tonight, be it near or from afar.

We couldn’t have come this far for the chimps without you. And just imagine what we can accomplish together for so many others. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of our chimp family!