Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Jody

Morning grooming fest

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When I arrived to the chimp house this morning I found the whole family (with the exception of Missy who was still asleep in her nest) at the top of the sunny greenhouse together nesting and grooming. Grooming is extremely important in chimp society. While it does serve to care for wounds and keep each other clean, it’s a primary means of building relationships, maintaining bonds, and offering comfort.

The chimps had a doozy of an argument yesterday (as chimps’ often do) and while it was pretty much resolved by the end of the day, it was really nice to see everyone relaxing together this morning, amends made, grievances forgiven. The business of chimp families.

Annie and Negra (background):

Annie self-grooming:

Annie in her nest, Jamie grooming Jody:

Jamie is grooming Negra, but Burrito was actually trying to get Negra to play by ruffling her hair, play-stomping and laughing. Negra was not remotely interested in anything but being groomed.

After making the grooming rounds with her chimp family, Foxie swung down to say hi:

It’s been a peaceful day in the chimp house. And good thing, because the chimps need to rest up for the big celebration tomorrow! Not only is it their 9th anniversary since arriving to their sanctuary home (9 years?!!), but it’s Negra’s 44th honorary birthday! And it’s going to be a party fit for a Queen, naturally.

Happy Birthday, Lorraine!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored in honor of Lorraine Lofton for her birthday by her son and daughter, Max and Coral Nafziger! Lorraine was one of the amazing volunteers who helped make our annual Hoot! Gala such a wonderful success!

Lorraine, happiest of birthdays to you from all of us at CSNW! Thank you so much for all you do to help us ensure a bright and secure future for these seven amazing chimpanzees, as well as any future family members. The gift of your time and compassion is so greatly appreciated.

Max and Coral, thank you for celebrating your mom on her special day with a gift for the chimpanzees! We are grateful to your family for helping us care for this chimp family!

Have a beautiful day, Lorraine!

Missy:

Jody:

jody smelling rose

Annie:

Happy Birthday, Donna!

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There has been a lot of thought around the chimpanzees and sanctuary this week as so many generous supporters have been including the chimps in their lives by sponsoring a day of sanctuary! It makes us so happy to see the chimps included in so many of your memories and celebrations and we’re grateful beyond belief for the difference you make in their lives.

Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by a long-time supporter and friend of the chimps, Donna Dinsmore! Donna shared, “This is my birthday and I would love to have the chimps celebrate it with me!”

Donna, Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for your kind and generous heart. We’re all so happy to be able to celebrate with you and are wishing you a beautiful day filled with adventure, contentment, and all your favorite things:

Jody:

Today is in honor of Robert Ruggeri

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It is a beautiful and peaceful day morning here at the sanctuary.  The chimps started their day, as they do most days this time of year, basking in the early morning sun coming into the greenhouse, and our neighborhood elk, Ellie, was still dozing in the shaded green grass when I arrived. Such a day couldn’t be more fitting as we celebrate a day of sanctuary sponsored in honor of Robert Ruggeri by his daughter, Rachel Ruggeri. Rachel shared this beautiful and touching message about her father:

“This day is in honor of my father, Robert Ruggeri, who would have celebrated his 81st birthday on June 6th. Though he passed away four years ago this July, his vital spirit continues to remain present in our minds and in our hearts. His love of animals was part of the fabric of his being – always with a dog by his side and happy to see all creatures enjoying their natural habit and the freedom that ensued. He would love nothing more than to see the chimps enjoying a sense of well-deserved peace and harmony among the acres of Eastern Washington, the place he himself fondly called home.”

Rachel, thank you so very much for your generous gift for the chimpanzees in memory of your father. We are honored to celebrate Robert and our hearts are with you and your family, hoping that the incredible memories you must have of him fill you with love and comfort. He sounds like such an amazing being and we’ll be holding thoughts of his special spirit here with us all.

Burrito, in all his courage, on top of the Twister:

Jamie and Foxie:

Annie (below) and Missy (top):

Annie and Missy top of Twister

Master Forager, Jody:

Jody with forage haul

Negra:

Sunset over the sanctuary:

All day forage

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The chimps have had an exciting day of forages! Breakfast in the sunlit greenhouse, lunch on the stunningly lush Young’s Hill, and dinner in the playroom.

In the wild chimpanzees spend the majority of their days traveling and looking for food. Here at CSNW we serve most of the chimps’ meals by hand to make sure that everyone gets their fair amount and it also gives us the opportunity to check out any wounds and see how everyone is doing. That said, we take every opportunity to present the chimps with choices and activities that encourage their natural behavior. Forages are a great way to get them active and engaged and I imagine they often appreciate the opportunity to do as they please and not wait around for the humans to serve them their portions.

A beautiful lunch forage with Foxie and Dora:

Missy in the treat rock:

Burrito in the hammock! (Annie to the right):

Annie standing, Burrito to the right:

Annie checking out the tire swing for sweet potatoes, Burrito foraging in the grass:

Sweet Annie:

Missy had to stop several times to keep putting food back in her mouth and picking up pieces she’d dropped. She was not going to leave one piece behind!

Whew! She made it back to the greenhouse with her corn stash!

Jamie:

Beautiful Jody:

After lunch Jamie asked me to put on her boots and sit with her near the open panels of the greenhouse that face Young’s Hill so she could groom the boots. She eventually made a nest and decided to lie down next to me and enjoy the cool breeze. So I decided I should also have a nest and got a blanket to lie on next to her, a safe distance from chimps and caging. Before I knew it Burrito came over and sprawled out in the corner next to us, and Annie and Foxie curled up on the top platform facing the hill and we all just enjoyed a few moments of rest together on a peaceful spring day. Some of us (chimps) got to rest longer than others (me), but it was lovely while it lasted. 🙂 Sanctuary for us all.

The Den Mother

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For as long as we’ve known Jody, she’s been incredibly confident and independent. Her happy place is lying alone in a big nest of soft blankets. But somewhere along the way, she has become very invested in taking care of her chimp family. She works hard to make sure the group stays together. This spring, as Negra has ventured farther out onto Young’s Hill than ever before, Jody has periodically gone to the top of the hill to “collect” Negra when she decides it’s time. If Negra isn’t ready to come inside yet, Jody nervously stays with her, hair standing on end. For a group of chimps who never got to know their mothers, they’re lucky to have a mom in Jody.