Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Missy

Today is in memory of David Bischoff

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Ingrid Bischoff in memory of her father, David Bischoff. Ingrid is a wonderful new friend of the chimpanzees’ and we are truly touched that she would think of them in honoring her father. Ingrid shared this beautiful message about today:

“My father, David Bischoff, from Yarmouth, Maine USA recently passed away and he is the man who taught his entire family the love of nature and animals, to respect the earth, pick up trash and ALWAYS take care of any and all animals in need and to always feed the birds, every day! He was a generous man and supported nature conservatories, donkeys, dogs, elephants, harbor seals and now chimpanzees!!!! He would love this day in his honor and thank you so much for doing all the hard work, giving is easy.”

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Ingrid, thank you so much for sponsoring today for the chimpanzees as you honor your father, David, and celebrate his life. What a special legacy he shared with you and your family, and now, all of us. We are honored to celebrate David here today and welcome you both as members of our chimp family. Our thoughts and hearts are with you today and we wish you the comfort, peace and love of family and friends that you help to ensure the chimpanzees are surrounded with for all their days forward.

Foxie, Annie and Burrito:

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Burrito, Jody, and Foxie:

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Beloved friends, Missy and Annie:

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Negra and Jody:

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Jamie enjoying the sun setting over Young’s Hill:

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True Altruism

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“True altruism is caring for places you will never visit, people you will never meet and a future you will never see.” – Author unknown –

I was looking at Jane Goodall’s Facebook page the other day and came across the above quote. As I read the words, I couldn’t help thinking of all of the people who have and will continue to advocate for chimpanzees across Africa who have suffered as the result of deforestation, the pet trade and the bush meat trade. Many of these people are fighting for animals in places they will never have the chance to visit.

And then I read the quote again and couldn’t help but think of all of the Cle Elum Seven supporters around the world. Many supporters will never be able to meet these chimps, yet, they continue to love and support them.

Reading the quote one more time, I thought about the countless number of people fighting for a future they were not sure they’d ever see; an end to biomedical research on chimpanzees in the United States. I think Diana did a great job of describing how our society has shifted toward “greater understanding and compassion” It takes a lot of people and a lot of time, but change does happen and a future we dreamed about is happening now.

Thank you to all those who care about and advocate for, the places, the people and the future you may never see.

Jamie
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Jody
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Burrito
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Negra
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Foxie (look close to see Annie’s head poking out in the background)

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Missy (Foxie is in the background holding a troll doll.)
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Annie
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Sunbathing

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Luxuriate in the sun, play, repeat. Temperatures were at freezing this morning and the chimps spent a lot of time lined up along the catwalk of the chimp house luxuriating in the sunny windows and grooming and/or playing with one another. At one point, everyone was bunched together enjoying the warmth of the sun and one another.

Annie was particularly enjoying herself, stretched out in the bright light half asleep. But that didn’t stop her from a lazy game of toe grabbing (and nibbling) with her best friend, Missy:

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(Notice Annie gently play-biting Missy’s toes) 🙂

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Eventually, Missy gave in and decided to groom Annie, arm poised mid-air, basking in the warmth of the sun and friendship:

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The Chimps and Young’s Hill

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When I think of the chimp that spends the most time in the chimps’ 2 acre outdoor enclosure, I think of Jamie. On any given day, she’s busy walking, watching, inspecting, patrolling and sometimes even just taking in the views, all from Young’s Hill. And when the weather is right, she stays out late until the last bit of sunlight fades into darkness. So, it seems appropriate that I associate her with Young’s Hill.

Here’s a picture taken of Jamie last week on her solo trip around the hill.
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But, as I walked out to meet Jamie for her first perimeter walk around Young’s Hill this morning (I, safely on the outside of the electric fences and her on the inside) almost all of the other chimps were already on the hill. Annie, Foxie and Burrito were already climbing to the top of Jamie’s Lookout at the uppermost part of the hill. Missy was busy running around and Jody was on the lookout for plants to forage.

When I saw the other chimps already on the hill this morning, it really dawned on me how much each of the chimpanzees at CSNW have changed throughout the past eight years. Each and every one of the chimps is growing more confident and adventurous as they choose to spend more and more time exploring their open air, outdoor enclosure.

And now, when I think about Young’s Hill, I think about Negra staying out late to forage on the wild plants on top of Young’s Hill. I think about Burrito climbing to the top of the highest structures and Annie and Foxie spending more and more time exploring on their own. I think of Missy’s acrobatic moves off of any and everything she can find and Jody’s never-ending search for wild plants to forage upon. Of course, I’ll continue to think about Jamie and her perimeter patrols, but I’m so glad to think of Young’s Hill and every one of the chimps now.

Annie on top of Jamie’s Lookout.
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Foxie joined Annie on top of the tower.
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And so did Burrito.
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After looking around, the chimps started making their way back down the structure and back toward the building.

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Once the girls made their way down the ladder, Burrito quickly followed.
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Missy was a blur most of the time she was on the hill this morning, but I was able to catch her as she sat for a minute (more like a couple of seconds) on top of one of the structures.
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Jody grabbed a bite from the spruce tree that JB planted on the hill (it was used as a Christmas tree a few years ago.)
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The celebration for Vicki continues!

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Today was also generously sponsored by Jim Horton in honor of his mother, Vicki Fagerlee, for her birthday! We are so touched by Vicki’s family who have come together throughout the day to celebrate Vicki and the chimpanzees who mean so much to her!

Jim, thank you so much for honoring your mother in such a thoughtful way! What an amazing gift to be able to make a difference in the lives of these seven special individuals as you all celebrate someone who is so special to you.

Happy Birthday, Vicki, from all of the primates at Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW!! Thank you so much for sharing your heart with the chimpanzees and including them in your special day! We are so grateful to you and your family for ensuring that for all their days forward, the chimps’ lives will be full of love, family and home.

And since you share a birthday month with the boss lady, Jamie, I thought we should recall all the pumpkin joy this month brings. If the chimps could send you a birthday wish, they might say with any luck you have your own head stuck inside a yummy pumpkin right now! 😉 But we humans just hope you have something like a nice cake or anything made of chocolate that brings you equal happiness. 🙂

Jamie:

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Jody testing out Jamie’s past birthday pumpkin:

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Negra and Jody:

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Negra:

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Annie:

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Jody and Missy:

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Foxie:

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Burrito. Of course.

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Running with flair!

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Sometimes the chimpanzees choose to incorporate enrichment into their usual games (for added fun). This morning, Missy raced around Young’s Hill while wearing a white infinity scarf. Speaking of enrichment… have you checked out our Database of Chimpanzee Enrichment? We are still looking for ideas from other chimpanzee care facilities. If your organization has an idea they wish to contribute, check out our submission guidelines!

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