Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Missy

A wonderful Christmas time

by

The chimps (and the humans!) have been having a really great Christmas, thanks to all our amazing supporters! We had five people sponsor the day for the chimps today, so we owe a big thank you again to Laurel H., Kathleen K., Molly W., Michael H., and Janine B.

Also a huge shout out to Lisa S. and Jayne R. for their decorations that we were able to spread across yesterday‘s and today’s parties! Carol M. sent us seven adorable chimpiñatas which we added to the decor, too. More thank-yous are in order for everyone that sent in new toys which became presents for today’s celebration, including Sharon & Larry C., Diana M., Lisa S., Jayne R., and Helen K. Here’s part of the haul in front of Santa’s sleigh:

web_christmas_party_decor_set-up_pr_dm_IMG_1363

web_christmas_party_decor_set-up_pr_dm_IMG_1368

Volunteer Patti and supporter Anne also picked up a lot of yummy fresh produce for the party and Patti made amazing roasted pumpkins with quinoa, wild rice, and veggies.

web_christmas_party_food_prep_pumpkin_veggies_bread_dm_IMG_1360

The day began with a small forage of tomatoes, pistachios, and shaved coconut in the tree. Negra was the first out to see what we had set up under (and in) the tree.

fb_web_christmas_tree_presents_party_set-up_gh_dm_IMG_1306

web_negra_forage_christmas_tree_party_gh_dg_IMG_1321

web_negra_forage_look_up_christmas_tree_party_gh_dg_IMG_1323

Missy snagged most of the tomatoes, and went through the presents, too:

web_missy_forage_presents_christmas_tree_party_gh_dg_IMG_1328

The party then moved into the playroom, where all the food and presents from our friends near and far brought a lot of joy to the chimpanzees!

Annie:

web_annie_eat_forage_christmas_party_pr_dm_IMG_7675

web_annie_eat_food_off_floor_forage_christmas_pr_dg_IMG_1379

web_annie_forage_christmas_party_pr_dg_IMG_1421

Jamie:

web_jamie_forage_presents_christmas_party_pr_dg_IMG_1486

web_jamie_forage_christmas_party_pr_dg_IMG_1453

web_jamie_forage_christmas_party_pr_dg_IMG_1416

Foxie:

web_foxie_eat_forage_christmas_party_pr_dm_IMG_7669

web_foxie_forage_christmas_party_pr_dg_IMG_1384

Missy:

web_missy_drink_christmas_party_pr_dm_IMG_7652

web_missy_forage_behind_sleigh_christmas_party_pr_dm_IMG_7650

Negra:

web_negra_eat_bread_forage_christmas_party_pr_dm_IMG_7647

Jody:

web_jody_forage_christmas_party_pr_dm_IMG_7645

Burrito

web_burrito_model_face_eat_pumpkin_christmas_forage_pr_dg_IMG_1437

web_burrito_model_face_eat_pumpkin_christmas_forage_pr_dg_IMG_1430

web_burrito_eat_pumpkin_profile_christmas_forage_pr_dg_IMG_1433

As if those photos weren’t enough, here’s a video of the festivities of the day. Thank you again to everyone who has helped bring such happiness to the chimpanzees this Christmas and every day!

A Season of gratitude (and parties!)

by

The chimpanzees (and humans!) of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest have the best friends and neighbors! People far and wide love these chimpanzees and do so many amazing things to ensure their well-being and the forever home they deserve. It’s an honor and a gift to witness this every single day and we are immensely grateful.

The sanctuary is located a few miles outside the small, eastern Washington town of Cle Elum. This year our local Umpqua Bank sponsored a Giving Tree for the chimpanzees and ARRF Animal Rescue! The bank staff including Jamie, Patti, Brenda, Danielle, and Seka put so much time and effort into organizing this, from creating ornaments for each of the chimpanzees listing chosen gifts on the back to spreading the word about the sanctuary:

web_umpqua_bank_giving_tree_kd_FullSizeRender(2)

And did our local friends and neighbors ever come through!

web_umpqua_bank_gifts_kd_IMG_1136

So if you know us and the chimpanzees, you know we had to start celebrating the holidays with a Christmas Eve party! All of the chimpanzees were enjoying time in the greenhouse this morning, unaware of the party preparation, except for the ever clever Jamie. She knew something was going on and even skipped her usual mid-morning nap, choosing instead to supervise things while playing upside-down-Jamie-on-a-barrel, which in caregiver lingo translates to “Jamie’s happy!”

web_jamie_upside_down_on_a_barrel_kd_IMG_1153

Caregiver Debbie graciously served as our Christmas Eve elf extraordinaire and made the chimpanzees hot cocoa (with almond milk and unsweetened cocoa powder), put our snow cone machine in overdrive (since we are still waiting on our winter snow here), and prepped the party decor (thanks to Jayne R. and Lisa S.!). Here are volunteer caregiver, Lizz, and our elf, Debbie, setting up (and yes, we have as much, if not more fun, than the chimpanzees!):

web_lizz_dm_set_up_xmas_eve_party_kd_IMG_1173

No holiday party is complete without the holiday trolls:

web_xmas_eve_trolls_kd_IMG_1172

Burrito was the first one into the play room where he decided to enjoy the cocoa with the trolls:

web_burrito_drink_cocoa_xmas_eve_dm_IMG_1180

This giant present held a new pair of boots for Jamie:

web_jamie_open_giant_present_boots_dm_IMG_1214

Annie opening party favors filled with peanuts:

web_annie_xmas_eve_party_favor_dm_IMG_1210

Missy enjoying snow cones in a Santa boot mug:

web_missy_drink_snowcone_santa_boot_dm_IMG_1266

Jody foraging through her stash of holiday treats:

web_jody_forage_xmas_eve_kd_IMG_7623

Jamie, of course, had collected numerous cups of cocoa to enjoy:

web_jamie_hold_cocoa_kd_IMG_7620

(Unfortunately, no photographic evidence exists of this, but Foxie and one of the holiday trolls spent their time slurping up snow cones and Negra took her stash to enjoy in the comfort of her nest).

Cle Elum friends and neighbors, we can’t thank you enough for welcoming the chimpanzees into your neighborhood and for your generosity and compassion, not only on this holiday, but all year long. We are truly thankful for your support! And thanks again to Gary and Jan Scott for sponsoring today in honor of our neighbors, Jack and Sue Dignum!

We’ve received so many genuinely thoughtful gifts and good tidings this holiday season it would be impossible to list them all, but here is just a glimpse of the love, creativity and inspiration we’ve been gifted with:

Adorable, hand-made ornaments for the chimpanzees from Claudia H.:

web_handmade_ornaments_from_Claudia

So many wonderful holiday wishes and kind words from our amazing supporters:

web_holiday_card_table

This amazingly beautiful Advent calendar created by Kathleen C! (It’s taking all my willpower not to walk over and sneak a peek at the 25th right now):

web_Advent_calendar_from_Kathleen

Please know we are incredibly thankful to each and every one of you who have not only graciously made the chimpanzees’ holiday special, but most importantly, have made a difference in their lives. As I type this, the chimpanzees’ just finished a popcorn forage after a dinner of lentils and roasted squash. With bellies full of healthy food, they are safely asleep in their nests, resting in the comfort of their sanctuary home this Christmas Eve. Each of you through your thoughts, donations, in-kind gifts, and sharing what you know of the chimps with others have made this possible for them. I can think of no more meaningful gift and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. From all of the primates here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, we wish you a magical Christmas Eve and holiday season filled with the love, comfort and compassion you so graciously share with us.

And if you haven’t done so already, please check out Holiday Central if you’d like to see how you can celebrate the holidays and help the sanctuary at the same time! Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the chimpanzees’ Christmas celebration! Until then, I leave you with a poem sent by another friend of the chimpanzees, Regina Lagrasta:

web_ornament_transparent_regina_poem_for_blog

 

Possibilities

by

The chimpanzees access Young’s Hill, their two-acre outdoor habitat, through a doorway in the greenhouse. Missy is sitting in front of that door in this photo:

web_Missy_sit_groom_self_look_out_Doory_Y_GH_ek_IMG_0999

During the day, the chimpanzees spend a lot of time in front of this doorway looking out toward the hill. I think as much as they like being outside, they like the possibility of being outside almost as much. Today I caught some of the chimps taking turns sitting in the doorway and considering the possibilities.

Missy:

web_Missy_close_up_stick_in_mouth_look_out_Door_Y_GH_ek_IMG_0988

Jody:

web_Jody_close_up_look_out_Door_Y_GH_ek_IMG_0992

Annie:

web_Annie_close_up_look_out_Door_Y_GH_ek_IMG_0972

web_Annie_close_up_eyes_look_out_Door_Y_GH_ek_IMG_0980

Off-balance or perfect ten?

by

We’ve had some beautiful, sunny, blue sky days this weekend which is unusual for this time of year, and Jamie is certainly taking advantage of it. Diana and Jamie went on at least six walks yesterday! Missy joined a couple of times, but of course opted to run at full speed while Jamie kept to more of a saunter.

web_Missy_run_toward_camera_YH_jb_IMG_7536

web_Missy_run_behind_yh_dg_IMG_7542

Then Missy decided to sprint toward the log bridge as if it were a vault, and she appeared to lose her a balance a little bit. Or maybe she meant to hurdle herself in that way, and it was actually an intentional landing. So, the question is, did Missy lose her balance or did she totally stick that landing? Let us know what you think in the comments.

web_Missy_off_balance_or_totally_stuck_that_landing_yh_dg_IMG_7545

web_Missy_off_balance_or_totally_stuck_that_landing_yh_dg_IMG_7546

Outtakes

by

Today Missy was combing her hair and I grabbed the camera and took a series of photos. They all turned out blurry and dark. Here are a few of the better ones:

web_Missy_outtake_inspect_comb_enrichment_blurry_PR_ek_IMG_7128

web_Missy_outtake_inspect_comb_enrichment_blurry_PR_ek_IMG_7132

web_Missy_outtake_inspect_comb_enrichment_blurry_PR_ek_IMG_7131

web_Missy_sit_comb_hair_PR_ek_IMG_7135

On a typical day, we take dozens of photos of the chimpanzees. The vast majority of these are deleted. Our photos have improved in quality by leaps and bounds over the last six years – partly due to better camera equipment and partly due to practice – but I would say that 90% of the photos we take on a given day are pretty bad. They’re blurry or the lighting is poor or someone’s eyes are closed. The chimps themselves often don’t help matters either. They love to spend their time high off the ground and in other places that we photographers just don’t have easy access to.

Negra’s favorite spot is in front of this window on the playroom catwalk. Because of the light coming in from the window, she is usually backlit. She is also typically covered up in a blanket. Not great photo conditions.

web_Negra_outtake_under_blanket_sleep_catwalk_PR_ek_IMG_7093

This is the only line of sight to Jody’s preferred spot:

web_Jody_outtake_sleep_catwalk_PR_ek_IMG_7094

The playroom loft is another favorite of the chimpanzees. Here’s Annie kicking back, well out of camera range.

web_Annie_outtake_lie_on_back_feet_in_air_loft_PR_ek_IMG_7109

In the greenhouse, the chimps love to hang out on the highest platform. This photo of Jamie is a pretty good depiction of how much we can see of them when they’re up there:

web_Jamie_outtake_lie_on_platform_GH_ek_IMG_7100

And certain folks rarely sit still long enough for us to get a clear photo:

web_Burrito_outtake_close_up_blurry_FRs_ek_IMG_7090

Rain, snow or shine

by

I’m often asked if the chimpanzees go onto Young’s Hill when it is raining or snowing. The answer is yes, they still venture outside, although I think we can all agree, sunshine is probably preferred.

As I’m writing this, Jamie is on her fourth walk around the hill (it’s currently foggy and sprinkling). And she wasn’t the only one to venture outside. Burrito, Missy, Jody and Annie joined her on the hill for a little while after lunch despite the fog and rain.

Sometimes the chimps go out to gather a “snowy treat,” as you will see in the some of the following photos.

It seems that no matter what the weather brings the chimpanzees still choose to go outside.

Annie

web_Annie_eat_mouthful_snow_hand_to_mouth_YH_kh_IMG_6229

Burrito

web_Burrito_eat_snow_mouth_hand_sit_on_log_pathway_YH_KH_IMG_6269

web_Burrito_eat_snow_mouth_hand_sit_on_log_pathway_YH_KH_IMG_6266

web_Burrito_eat_snow_mouth_hand_sit_on_log_pathway_YH_KH_IMG_6270

Jamie

web_Jamie_walk_on_log_first_snow_side_profile_YH_kh_IMG_6238

Missy

web_Missy_quadrupedal_walk_log_pathway_YH_kh_IMG_6218

On the 7th Day of Giving Thanks

by

We are the sum of all of our parts. For the past six days we have been sharing our gratitude for all of the amazing humans and organizations who give their support to the sanctuary in a myriad of ways. Each and every person we’ve mentioned, and I am sure so many more who we may never be aware of, has made the sanctuary and the lives of the chimpanzees what they are today. And for that we could not be more thankful.

On this seventh day of giving thanks, we want to share our gratitude for the heart and soul of the sanctuary and all that we do, the chimpanzees themselves. Words could never fully express the respect, admiration and love we have for Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra. We are thankful for the unique personalities that each of the chimpanzees share with us. The joy and laughter they bring to our lives and for making us smile every single day. We are thankful for the gift and privilege of their friendship and all that they teach us about forgiveness, strength, courage, healing and choosing to live each moment to the fullest. For being themselves, always, and allowing us into their world so that we can share that with others in the hope of helping other chimpanzees and primates. And honestly, I suspect I speak for all the caregivers when I say we are even thankful for the flinging of feces and spitting of saliva. How could that be possible? Because it’s one more moment that they get to express themselves just as they are knowing they will be respected, cared for and loved just the same.

We are profoundly thankful for each of the chimpanzees’ indomitable spirits and their ability to heal, forgive, and allow humans into their lives, in spite of what our species has done to them. Not because this makes us feel better or because it justifies in any way what they have experienced, but because it allows them some sense of peace and comfort and to experience life more on their terms, as it always should have been for them.

We are thankful for beautiful Annie’s sweet, gentle spirit and her new found ability to stand up for herself and her friends when it really matters to her. For her growing independence, courage and comfort in her own skin and the sense of freedom we hope this brings her after so much anxiety and fear. And for “Annie-bird” noises as she whistles into her hands and clapping her feet together which mean she’s relaxed and happy, raspberries and foot stomping when she gives us the gift of her attention, and to bear witness to the amazing friendship she has with her best friend, Missy.

web_Annie_close_up_pretty_GH_ek_IMG_3572

We are thankful for Burrito and the heartwarming charm he so willingly shares with us just by being himself. For his place in a family of chimpanzee women who love him despite his boisterous displays and lack of appropriate chimpanzee etiquette and provide him a safe place in which he can figure out what it means to be the only guy among six ladies. And for the sound of his food squeaks echoing throughout the chimp house at meal time, for play faces, play stomps, play bows, and blanket tosses when he is feeling particularly playful.

web_Burrito_play_bow_playface_deck_GH_ek_IMG_4666

We are thankful for Foxie and the sheer joyful exuberance she greets each day with. For the innate sensitivity she shows toward her fellow primates, human and non, and her ability to make all of us (even Jamie) feel better just by being herself. For the growing courage she finds to explore Young’s Hill in awe and for her ability to trust us when sharing her “babies” with us, knowing she will never have anything she loves taken from her again. And for back flips, pirouettes, kisses given while hanging upside down, the willingness to gaze into our eyes, her toes (!) and the toe tickling that comes with those toes.

web_foxie_look_camera_rm4_kd_IMG_2816

We are thankful for Jamie and her astounding intelligence, willpower, and creativity. For the opportunity she finally has to call the shots and be loved and respected exactly as she is in each minute of the day. For walks around Young’s Hill and for the immense honor it is to accompany her on her perimeter walks and be included as part of her troop. And for “upside-down-Jamie-on-a-barrel” because it means she is happy, do-it-yourself Jamie who takes charge of her home, that she now feels safe enough to take naps and actually close her eyes and rest, and happy groans of pure joy when she receives a new pair of boots.

web_Jamie_wear_troll_scarf_recorder_in_mouth_enrichment_PR_ek_IMG_0664

We are thankful for Jody and what she teaches us about the value of comfort, relaxation and taking care of oneself. For her ability to now spend each minute choosing exactly what feels best for her. For the sheer joy she receives from foraging for every wild plant she can find on Young’s Hill, for the way she “holds the door” and gathers everyone up until she makes sure all the chimpanzees have come in for meals, for her “dinosaur” groans when she is particularly happy about something she’s eating, for “happy baby” poses while lounging in her nest, for sometimes poking us when she’s feeling saucy, and for her earnest gazes and endearing “butt-bounces” when greeting us.

web_Farmer_Jody_bipedal_walk_hold_carrot_food_stash_forage_harvest_Easter_party_GH_ek_IMG_8685

We are thankful for Missy and the fact that she finally has the choice to run to her heart’s content in every direction she can on Young’s Hill, laughing as she passes you by. For the athletic prowess which brings her so much joy after so many years living in a small cage with no room for her spirit to move. For her ability to wake up each day with so much joy that she and her best friend, Annie, play chase, wrestle and laugh like crazy before they are even fully awake. And for the leaping, spinning, swinging, jumping, and climbing. And for the way she gets us to “chase” her to the garden to ask for summertime tomatoes.

Missy balancing on fire hose

And we are thankful for Queen Negra and her ability to find joy and a position of respect in the companionship of her chimpanzee and human friends after years of solitude and depression. For the absolute pleasure she receives from the simple things in life like a nest made of sometimes over 30 blankets, the sun on her face, and days spent nesting peacefully by her window as she watches the valley below. And for hand claps when the servers are too slow, straw thrown in our faces when she really wants to get her point across, head nods of approval when we dance for her, the absolute joy she receives from night bags and for nuts and seeds on her belly as she enjoys those nightbags.

Negra looking at camera with night bag

On this Thanksgiving Day and always, we are ever grateful to all of you who provide hope, love, home and sanctuary to these seven chimpanzee people. We couldn’t possibly hold more love in our hearts for them and to know they are safe, loved, respected, and able to finally make choices in their lives is the best gift we could ask for. Please know that you all, in whatever form your support is given, make a difference in their lives.  From all of us at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

The chimpanzees’ Thanksgiving Day celebration is getting under way now so be sure to tune in tomorrow to check out the fun!!