So many things have changed for the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees in the last ten years since they moved from a research lab to the sanctuary.
One of the most striking is their new view.
Missy
A spring celebration, just because
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
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:
Happy Birthday, Alisa!
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
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:
Intensity
What! Are you guys seeing this… Strawberries! These were thoughts going through Missy’s head as staff Katelyn discovered these gems in our garden. First strawberry of the year went to garden enthusiast Missy of course!
Missy uniquely sitting on the tire while she looks for strawberries:
While, Missy observed Katelyn in the garden, Jamie had other business to attend to. After our morning perimeter walk, Jamie and I hung out by the Front Rooms, mostly so she could keep an eye on the interns. Jamie isn’t always in the mood to have a camera taking photos of her; however, I asked Jamie if it was okay and proceeded to take some pictures. I often show her the picture taken so she feels included. She was pretty intrigued today so I continued to snap some photos and show her. I always love the intensity in her eyes. Jamie can be known to be a bit intense, whatever she is doing is with all her effort. As you can tell in our photo shoot today she was giving it all she had.
Jamie staring intensely:
Jamie relaxing in the Front Room:
Jamie smooshing her face (she was being pretty silly):
Jamie laid on a chair so she could get more comfortable, but still be able to watch the interns and self groom:
After a while she let me groom her head with a toothbrush:
Burrito had been quietly napping behind Jamie, once Jamie moved Burrito was ready to play!
In this photo Burrito was playfully shaking his leg and breathy panting quietly:
Then Burrito started shaking his legs and play slapping his head, Burrito later got up and we played a bit before Jamie wanted me to come back and finish grooming her head:
Bonus photos:
Negra enjoying the warm Greenhouse:
Jamie stealing Burrito’s smoothie while she drinks her own (don’t worry Burrito had some smoothie earlier):
Happy Birthday, Celia!
Today was sponsored by Brian and Amy Freyermuth who are honoring their niece, Celia Holden, on her 14th birthday! Brian and Amy shared this wonderful message about Celia:
“A vegetarian since she was 9, Celia is a fantastic companion for everyone around her no matter their age
