Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Missy

Spring has Sprung

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Spring has sprung and there is nothing but happy chimps here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest! We had chimps (Negra and friends) baking at the top of the platform in the Greenhouse, Missy asking for the barn doors to be open, Foxie playing wild games of chase, Jamie walking on the Hill & enjoying lots of grooming sessions with her boots, Burrito and Jody hanging out & grooming all day, and Missy and Annie chasing all over the place. Foxie was nice enough to let me get another photo shoot in and Jamie also let me get a few snaps before we started a game of chase this morning!

Foxie:

Jamie:

Jody staring out the Raceway towards the Hill:

Social Primates

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While volunteers Chelsea, Erin, and Kailie were finishing up the big clean of the playroom today, I went in search of some chimpanzees.

I found all seven of them on the “top bunk” of the structure in the greenhouse. I was able to watch them for twenty minutes or so as they rested and groomed. There were frequent switches of grooming partners, with everyone receiving and giving attention at various times and then sitting quietly grooming themselves or dozing off.

It’s incredibly heartening to witness this rag-tag bunch interacting like a true chimpanzee family group. They definitely don’t always get along (no primates do, if we’re being honest), but these times of togetherness are a big part of who they have become. Even when they were focusing on themselves, they were just inches away from one other.

 

Here are a few photos of Missy and Jamie:

 

Today is for Janice Clayton!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Carole Galuska in honor of her friend, Janice Clayton! Carole shared this really lovely message about her dear friend:

“I wanted to sponsor this 1st day Spring, in honor of my very good friend, Janice Clayton. I can’t say enough about what a good person Janice is. She volunteers and sponsors all sorts of organizations and has a never ending love for animals. She is truly one the most generous people I know, always thinking about what she can do for others. Last year Janice made my childhood dreams come true by bringing me to the chimpanzee sanctuary, I was absolutely thrilled. My love for chimps had started as a small child, some children beg for a pony but I drove my parents crazy with my desire to have a chimpanzee! For a Christmas gift this year Janice is bringing me back to the sanctuary for another visit this summer! She really has no idea how special this gift is to me. So I decided what better way to thank her again but to sponsor a day in her honor. Thank you JC for all that you have done for Steph and I over the years. You are such a special person with an amazing soul and we both adore you! We will see you soon Jody, Burrito, Annie, Foxie, Missy, Negra & Jamie!!”

Carole, this is such a wonderful way to celebrate Janice and we so appreciate you thinking of the chimpanzees and being part of their special home here.

Janice, thank you so much for all the good you bring to the lives of so many and for sharing your love of the chimps! It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate someone who brings so much  hope and inspiration to others.

Happy spring hoots from the chimps to you both (and everyone the chimps are so fortunate to call their family and friends)!

In honor of your friendship I couldn’t help but think of dear friends, Annie and Missy:

Rest Day

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Well today is turned out to be a pretty mellow day! After a rowdy breakfast some of the chimps decided to go out on the Hill for a walk. As Jamie and I strolled along, we stopped for a second to let Missy catch up. She came bounding towards us, but opted to run around the Hill instead. Jamie and I were at the tail end of our walk when we saw Foxie walking behind Miss. Foxie had one of her dolls on her back, and little Missy was stomping around trying to get Foxie to chase. Missy ran up to Foxie and gave her a kiss and some breathy pants, then ran off. Foxie finished the walk with Jamie and I. The chimps spent the rest of their day in the nice warm Greenhouse grooming and napping! Because the chimps were being lumps I do not have many photos. Fortunately, Foxie let me do a photo shoot this morning!

Foxie is one photogenic lady:

Sun’s Out Chimps Out

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The chimps were on the move today! Jody was running around the Hill with her gals, Missy was ripping up and down all the structures, Jamie was walking and exploring with everyone, and Foxie was pushing herself to the limits. While Jamie and I were out on a walk Missy, Annie, Jody, and Foxie we not far behind. Annie and Missy made it to the Twister and climbed all the way to the top. Jody got to the top and decided to come down; however, Foxie was cautious and went up part way only to climb back down, but that did not stop her from trying again! Once all the other girls left Foxie even climbed up the Twister on her own and got most of the way up, that girl is brave! After, Foxie met Missy up on the suspension bridge structure, Missy was feeling silly and sneakily and took Foxie’s doll and ran away (trying to instigate chase). Foxie slowly followed after her (don’t worry eventually Miss did give the doll back). All in all it was a fun and silly day at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest!

Missy and Annie on top of the Twister:

Foxie (with doll), Missy (middle), Annie (front) walking towards the next structure to explore:

Foxie climbing the Twister alone and was getting pretty high, maybe the highest she has ever gone:

Foxie carefully climbing down after a big accomplishment:

Foxie and Missy hanging out/playing on one of the climbing structures (about when Missy steals that little doll):

After a slow fun game of chase, Missy gives the doll back to Foxie (Foxie behind the tree):

Jamie exploring:

Jamie and the squad (Annie and Missy):

Handsome Burrito (he didn’t stay long outside):

After climbing all morning Annie laid down to relax and make some bird noises:

Jamie using a tool to get the big nuts out of the Playroom windows:

Missy also used a tool to get some big nuts:

Missy:

Negra enjoying some sun: