Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
After the chimps (even Negra!) spent a busy morning on Young’s Hill foraging for wild greens, exploring, playing, and guarding the perimeter against new intruders (neighbor cows), it’s been a pretty leisurely afternoon at the sanctuary. With warming temperatures, fresh air through open windows and doors, and a sun-drenched greenhouse, these ladies were soaking it all in.
Foxie:
Annie:
Missy:
We love made-up holidays around here (holiday = party for the chimps). For the last 8 years, the chimps’ good friend Monica Best has sponsored April 23rd as Love a Chimpanzee Day. (It also happens to be Monica’s birthday!) Unless you’ve followed our blog for awhile, you probably haven’t heard of Love a Chimpanzee Day; that’s because it didn’t exist until Monica dreamed it up.
To celebrate CSNW’s 8th Annual Love a Chimpanzee Day, we decided to throw a luau party, because there’s never a bad time to throw a luau party for chimps you love. The chimps enjoyed a feast of bananas, oranges, fruit smoothie, and pineapple coconut water for breakfast in the greenhouse.
Missy:
Burrito:
(Burrito was especially happy to see former volunteer caregiver Stephanie, who stopped by for a visit!)
Negra:
Jamie:
Jody:
Annie:
(Annie really had lounging down to an art today…)
Thanks as always to Monica for conceiving of and sponsoring this delightful holiday (and happy birthday)!
This day was sponsored by Debbie Bloom in honor of the chimpanzees and this beautiful Earth we all share. She shares this lovely message about today:
“In honor of Earth Day it seems appropriate to celebrate all of these beautiful creatures. They bring such joy and intrigue into our lives – especially mine. I only wish that I could read their minds.”Â
Debbie, on this day in which we’re given a special opportunity to honor and celebrate this amazing earth, and to protect and preserve all we cherish, we love that you’ve chosen to include the chimps. Thank you so much for honoring the special individuals they are and all they bring to our lives just by being themselves.
There is so much to love on this earth. Especially these seven chimpanzees. Safe, thriving and loved in a beautiful world to call their own, thanks to each of you.
Annie:
Burrito:
Foxie:
Jamie:
Jody:
Missy:
Negra:
This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Kery Shaw and Terran Baylor in honor of their friend, Bryan Pease! They shared this special message about their kind gift:
“Bryan is a good friend who advocates for animals and humans. Although, his birthday was April 8th, today activists around the world are speaking out for animals in laboratories. Today we honor Bryan who has been a huge voice for animals in labs, we honor the animals, especially the seven chimps at CSNW. Bryan is one of the top rated civil rights attorneys in San Diego and has met the stringent selection criteria of the national rating agency SuperLawyers. He is a public interest attorney focusing on government transparency and accountability, freedom of speech and assembly, and environmental, animal and consumer protection. In the June 2016 California primary election, over 23,000 registered Democrats voted for Bryan to be their San Diego County Democratic Central Committee delegate, giving him the most number of votes in the county out of 73 candidates across six state assembly districts. Bryan has fought for many San Diegans who would not be able to afford an attorney if it weren’t for Bryan’s pro bono work. For his entire legal and professional career, Bryan has worked tirelessly defending the public interest. He has successfully fought for environmental and consumer protection, defended against employment and housing discrimination, and enforced the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. In addition to running his own law firm, Bryan has taught as an adjunct law professor, inspiring law students to pursue public interest law. Bryan also regularly provides pro bono legal services to homeless veterans and small nonprofit organizations. Bryan has also served as a board member of Ocean Beach Peoples Co-Op from 2008-2015, OB’s largest employer, and for the past 10 years, he has been the volunteer executive director of a nonprofit thrift store in San Diego that benefits animal and environmental protection causes.” We love you Bryan! Love Kery & Terran.”
Kery and Terran, thank you for adding to the chimpanzees’ lives by celebrating such an inspirational human as Bryan and for always holding the chimpanzees in your hearts. To you both, as well as Bryan, thank you for all you do for our fellow humans and animals and for making the world a better place for us all!
Jamie:
Foxie:
Burrito:
Jamie, Missy, Burrito, Annie and Foxie:
Annie and Missy:
Jody:
Negra:
If you are Jamie, your perfect spot at the sanctuary is out on Young’s Hill performing a perimeter patrol.
If you’re Missy, you are also out on Young’s Hill, just moving at light speed!
If you’re Annie, your favorite spot is on a high platform with the sun on your face (with Missy close by of course).
If you’re Foxie, your perfect spot is anywhere you can take your favorite doll.
If you’re Jody, your favorite spot is right in the middle of a giant nest being groomed by your friends.
If you’re Negra, your favorite spot is the coziest, most sun-filled area you can possibly find.
And if you’re Burrito, your favorite spot isn’t as important as making sure your mouth and hands are both full of food at the exact same time!
The day after the big celebration the chimpanzees have been napping, resting and eating light, recovering from yesterday’s all day party! As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, here are a few photos from the first Young’s Hill forage of the year (aka Easter Party #2):
Annie picking carrots we “buried” for the chimps to harvest:
Jody and Negra (Negra was ALL over the place! It was her day 🙂 ):
Jody finds a quiet spot to enjoy her spoils:
Missy scored on corn:
Foxie and Dora on the hunt for Easter eggs filled with nuts and berries:
Boss lady, Jamie, thrilled with her beloved leeks:
And a bonus video of Easter shenanigans from the breakfast forage:
Missy is good at communicating her top lunch priority with caregivers.
