Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Party

Burrito’s 34th Birthday Bash

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Burrito is so easy to shop for. All he ever wants for his birthday is food.

The other chimps were more than happy to help him celebrate.

Of course, it’s not a real party until someone gets upset. Even when there’s more than enough to go around, someone (ahem, Jamie) has to take more than their fair share.

Thankfully, Jody was mature enough to extend an olive branch to Jamie and move on. Jody should be awarded some kind of medal for what she puts up with.

Burrito managed to avoid the camera most of the day, but rest assured, he ate enough to last him until next January. Now, it’s time to sleep it off. Happy 34th, big guy.

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!!!

A New Tradition

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Our second sponsor-a-day today comes from Thom and Judy Nash in honor of their adult kids.

Here’s how this came about, in the the words of Judy, “This year for Christmas our family decided to start a new tradition of making a donation to a shelter or other worthy animal cause rather than exchanging gifts. I’d like to sponsor a day at the sanctuary because I can’t think of a better cause.”

They chose today r because it was Judy’s father’s birthday and thought it would also be the perfect way to finish 2016!

Judy and Thom have been donors for a few years, and we are so pleased to learn more about their family and happy that the chimpanzees can benefit from their big hearts.

We’ve picked out a photo from past parties for each set of the “kid” honorees in celebration of ringing in the new year.

 

Annie for Chelsey & Aaron:

 

Burrito for Christin & Paul:

 

Missy for Brook & Dan:

 

and Jody, worn out after a party, for Kayla & Rob:

jody yawning

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!!