Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Missy

When She Says Jump

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Jamie is truly an amazing person, there is a lot to her. She is always surprising us, for being a more “serious chimp” a lot of the time, I kept catching her doing silly little things throughout today. For example, we had a donor visitor group this afternoon, during which she proceeded to make each visitor try on her favorite boot. (This is not something she normally does. Normally Jamie might give them some attention, look at some shoes, and then get back to foraging.) I never know what to expect from her, which is the best part about her! But, what I can usually expect is a fierce and fearless Jamie.

Jamie wearing her boot and foraging for nuts:

Jamie staring out of the playroom on a barrel that she dragged over herself:

Jamie looking fierce:

Jamie laying on the barrel (taking a quick snooze):

Jamie was practicing her tight rope walking this morning (she picked a spot where it was hard to see her, so she could practice in private):

This is a photo of one of our visitors wearing Jamie’s favorite boots upon her request:

Bonus photos:

Negra walking onto Young’s Hill this morning:

Burrito watching over Jody:

Missy quietly foraging:

Annie sporting her sweatband on her waist and walking bipedally up the Hill:

Burrito, Jo, and Foxie hanging out on the new structure:

Mondayz

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Many might be wondering how we beat a case of the Mondays at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest? Well this is an easy question!

1. We get our exercise in A LOT…

Missy in the lead and Jody not far behind:

Missy waiting for the group to catch up:

Jamie and Foxie:

Jamie kept checking up on Foxie to make sure she was keeping up:

Annie took a little detour but joined the walk a little later:

2. We forage like fiends…

Jody hidden behind the shrub, secretly grabbing some yummy weeds:

3. We lounge…

Negra:

Annie:


4. We take snack breaks…

Fresh strawberries:

5. We strike a pose…

Jody:

Foxie:


6. And we hang out with good friends…

If you follow these simple steps you also may never suffer from a case of the Mondays!

Missy the champion food puzzler

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Last week Jamie decided to keep walking laps around Young’s Hill with Diana, rather than investigate (and hoard) the evening’s enrichment food puzzle. In Jamie’s absence, some of the other chimps saw their opportunity to take on multiple frozen water bottle puzzles, most notably Missy. As you might notice, Missy is secretly an enrichment puzzle super star!

Celebration of 10 Years!

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Can you believe it, these chimps have been at the sanctuary for 10 years. Over the years whether it was by donation, volunteering, or following the blog we have seen tremendous change in their lives and well-being. In the beginning Foxie didn’t want to have anything to do with enrichment and now Foxie has found love in her dolls. Annie was reserved and had very little confidence and now she is more independent, bold, and confident. Negra was afraid of Young’s Hill and now she adventures to forage all by herself. And not to mention how they have been aging in reverse. It has been a privilege to watch the growth in these seven amazing chimpanzees. But really Negra says it best….

In addition, here are some photos to give you a sneak preview of what tomorrows blog might look like!

Burrito taking a breather from partying:

Foxie swinging with her new France Dora:

Negra searching for some mini bananas:

Negra enjoying some forage she found in a coconut:

Jody was the first to venture out to find what was hidden on the Hill:

Jody was very committed to foraging out there:

Jody got to take full advantage while everyone was preoccupied in the Greenhouse:

Foxie also went out on her own, well France Dora accompanied her of course:

This was just the start, there are more photos to come from our BIG celebration!

Happy Birthday, Dan!

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This day of sanctuary for the chimps was sponsored by Cheryl Eklund in celebration of her husband, Dan Eklund, on his birthday with this special message:

“Happy Birthday to my wonderful animal loving husband. All Our Love, Cheri and Judee”

Cheryl thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees today as you all celebrate Dan’s birthday!

Happy Birthday, from all the primates here at the sanctuary, Dan! We hope it’s your best one yet! We so appreciate you making a difference in the chimps’ lives on your special day.

Missy is able to celebrate every single day to the fullest, thanks to people like you. May your heart be just as full.

So much to celebrate!

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Our dear friend, Kathleen Corby, sponsored this extra special day of celebration and shared this beautiful message:

“Two very special reasons for me to sponsor lucky June 13th: 1. I want to celebrate beautiful, remarkable, beloved Negra on her 45th birthday. The very first time I saw Negra she stole my heart. Knowing her past makes me admire and respect her all the more as I watch her courageously take on new adventures each year. Can’t wait for Negra to surprise me this year and many more years to come….Happy Birthday dear girl! 2. I am excited to celebrate with you from afar 10 magnificent years of Hope… Love… Home… Sanctuary at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Little did Missy, Annie, Negra, Jody, Foxie, Jamie, and Burrito know that the long trip from PA to WA ten years ago would change their lives for the better forever! You have given them their dignity and you have restored their wild inner souls. Happy Sanctuary Anniversary Day and much love always!”

Kathleen, we are just so lucky to have you as part of our chimp family. From our hearts, thank you for always sharing yours with the chimps, with us all. You make a lasting difference in their lives and we so appreciate the love and reverence you hold for each of them. Thank you for helping us celebrate such a special day!

If you follow us on Facebook, you may have seen us live this morning as the Birthday Queen started her special day off enjoying a homemade breakfast of sweet potato and berry pancakes served in the sunny greenhouse! If Negra could have ALL the bread and carbs, she would be a happy woman. Wouldn’t we all, Neggie, wouldn’t we all.

Happy Birthday, Negra, we love you!

And to Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra, Happy Anniversary!! Ten years in your sanctuary home bouyed by the love and support of so many near and far. You surprise, delight, teach and humble us every single day and we couldn’t love you more.

Jamie:

Annie and Missy:

Foxie:

Burrito:

Annie, Foxie and Jody:

Happy Birthday, Donna!

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Donna Dinsmore sponsors today for the chimpanzees each year and sent this sweet note:  “This is my birthday and I would love to have the chimps celebrate it with me!”

Donna, first of all, Happy Birthday!! It’s such heart-lifting and inspiring thing when people choose to make a difference in the lives of others as a way to celebrate their own lives. And the fact that you do this each year for the chimps is incredible. We so appreciate you wanting to share your own special day with the chimps and your generosity and compassion make a lasting difference for them. And you are in good company as we look to the week ahead. With hearts full of gratitude and excitement, we will be celebrating Negra’s 45th birthday AND the chimps’ 10th anniversary in their sanctuary home! Thank you for starting things off in such a lovely way, Donna!

We hope you have a beautiful day full of all that you love!

Jamie:

Besties, Annie and Missy:

Annie:

Foxie, Jody, and Burrito:

Queen Negra: