Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Missy

Carrying stuff

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Since the chimpanzees don’t generally use backpacks or wear clothing with pockets, they can be pretty creative with how they choose to gather and carry items around.

Chimpanzees rely a lot on their mouths…
Negra:

Foxie:
Foxie with troll in mouth

Jamie:

But sometimes their mouths are full and they still need to carry more..
Jody:
Jody carrying cattail

Missy:

Missy carry her stash

And sometimes their mouths are full and their arms are busy climbing, so they might rely on their feet..
Jamie:

Chimpanzee mothers carry their babies on their backs…

Foxie demonstrates with a doll:

Last but not least, a little live action carrying…

Missy the Ghost

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They say there’s a ghost that haunts the playroom at CSNW…

By the way, if you’re wondering about Negra – she is feeling much better today and has regained her appetite and her energy. We’re going to keep her separated from the group for at least one more day to make sure she stays off her foot as much as possible. I’m sure they’re all looking forward to being reunited.

Today is in memory of Thomas Burke

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Today one of the chimpanzees’ new friends, Peggy Burke, is remembering her husband, Thomas, and celebrating their life together by sponsoring a day of sanctuary in his memory. Peggy shared, “January 8th was my husband’s birthday and we used to spend a lot of time in the Cle Elum area. What better way to remember him than by helping the Cle Elum Seven.”

Peggy, thank you so much for contributing to the chimpanzees’ lives and home, providing them the space so heal, grow, transform and to rejoice in what life brings their way each day. Cle Elum is such a beautiful area and it’s wonderful that you have such fond memories of the time you spent here together. We are so touched that you would include the chimpanzees in your life and on such a special day. We’re honored to remember Thomas here today and are sending you all the good thoughts, hoping this day brings you comfort, joy and love as you have helped provide the chimpanzees.

Burrito and Foxie:

It’s often still surprising for people when they learn the chimpanzees are living here. We are so grateful to all our supporters and give special thanks to our local friends and neighbors who have welcomed the chimps with open arms and continue to support and protect them as members of their community. The Cle Elum City Council even awarded the chimps honorary citizens status shortly before their first anniversary here!

Jamie:

Jody, Missy, and Annie:

Annie and Missy:

Foxie and France Dora:

Burrito and Negra:

Missy’s talents

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At Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Missy has merited the nickname “Dr. Missy.” We call her this because she is a particularly diligent groomer, spending hours attending to her group mates. If someone has sustained an injury, she focuses on that member with all her carefully well-honed skills. For the average day, Dr. Missy is always prepared to perform a gentle grooming examination.

Happy New Year

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Happy New Year everyone!!

Many of you avid blog readers know that we like to celebrate the holidays here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and since it’s New Year’s Day, we decided to throw another party! Parties are a great way to celebrate holidays, birthdays, the changing of the seasons, and just-because days.

What gets the chimpanzees so excited about parties you might ask? Well, I’d like to sometimes think it’s all about how we decorate the various enclosures…

…but really, it’s more about the food and drinks. In fact, food and drinks tend to be the central theme to most any party.

Little did I know, until Diana brought it up, that there are traditional foods eaten the night before and on New Year’s Day. Black eyed peas, green foods, grapes and cabbage are a few foods considered to bring abundance, luck and prosperity in the New Year. And circle-shaped foods signify the year coming full circle. So, in keeping with the green foods tradition, we set out green grapes, lettuce and alfalfa cubes and included round nuts for the circle shaped foods…

…and sparkling apple cider for toasting.

To keep with tradition, the dinner for tonight will include black eyed peas with rice, topped with roasted onions and sweet potatoes.

Here are some of the pictures from this morning’s party in the Playroom.

Jamie

Missy

Burrito

Foxie

Annie

Negra

Jody celebrated the New Year upstairs in the loft, so I was unable to get any photos of her.

Wishing you and yours a most happy New Year!!!

Another Christmas Celebration

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With so much love and support (and toys and decorations) from all over the world, we decided to celebrate Christmas again today!

Party setup in the Greenhouse, complete with grapes, LEGOs, and little hats for ornaments on the Christmas tree…

…and more boxes, toys, piñatas, food and presents in the Playroom.

Jamie headed straight for the Christmas tree, just like she did yesterday! This time, she found the hidden grapes.

Jody’s focus seemed to be on the colorful boxes (with primate chow hidden inside).

Negra helped Jamie pick grapes from the tree and munched on primate chow she found in the boxes on the ground.

Annie went straight for the food (leeks, purple cabbage, red onions, mushrooms and primate chow).

Foxie went through the enrichment that Negra left behind, including a snowman piñata and some of the colorful boxes.

Missy also focused on the food we spread throughout the Playroom first before inspecting the decorations.

Burrito spent a lot of time shaking the boxes before opening them (we hid primate chow inside each one.)

We’re so thankful for all of the love and support the Cle Elum Seven have received this past year. Thank you everyone who helped make the festivities continue through today!!

In honor of the Cle Elum 7!

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This Christmas Eve was sponsored for the Cle Elum 7 by friends and advocates of not only the chimps, but all our fellow animals, Kery Shaw and Terran Baylor! Kery and Terran give so much of their time and hearts to advocating for the well-being of animals and creating a compassionate world community. We are thrilled to start off almost a full week of sponsorships and celebration with their generous gift for the chimpanzees.

Kery and Terran, thank you so much for all you do to make the world a kinder, gentler, safer sanctuary for us all, especially for those who are most in need of it. Thank you for always holding the chimpanzees in your hearts:

Annie (bottom) and Missy (top):

Annie and Missy top of Twister

Burrito:

Burrito lookout

Foxie and Dora:

Master Forager, Jody:

Negra picking wild lettuce:

And Jamie, Queen of her world:

Staff and volunteers have been like elves in the chimps’ workshop these last weeks processing all the incredibly generous and compassionate gifts pouring in for the chimpanzees, not only for the holidays, but for an even brighter future. From our hearts, thank you. Thank you. You have all given the gift of sanctuary and we are profoundly grateful to you.

However, you choose or don’t choose to celebrate this time of year, all of us here at CSNW wish you holidays and a season full of joy, hope, comfort, kindness, beauty and gratitude. Be sure to check in for the chimpanzees’ Christmas extravaganza tomorrow and have a magical Christmas Eve!