rescue

At the center of everything

February 20, 2015 by J.B.

If you were to diagram the relationships between the chimps at CSNW, Foxie would be the one point at the center that connects everyone together.

She is by far the best friend that Jody has. The two like to take morning walks around Young’s Hill together and play gentle tickling and wrestling games while lying on their backs. When Jody is upset, Foxie is there to comfort her.

She is one of Missy’s favorite play partners, and one of the few that can keep up with Missy’s breakneck pace.

And while she got off to a rocky start with Annie, the two have come to understand each other better in the last couple of years and these days it’s not uncommon for them to play together or spend time with each other surveying the valley below Young’s Hill.

Foxie is one of the only chimps that can get Jamie to let down her guard and play. If it weren’t for Foxie, Jamie would never get a break from being bossy. And that, frankly, wouldn’t be good for anyone.

To be Negra’s friend, you have to learn to go at her speed. Foxie can groom quietly with Negra, but she also gets Negra to let loose once and a while. She does this by inviting her to play with big, exaggerated play gestures, knowing that she has to be clear with Negra and ensure that Negra still wants to play along at every step of the way. This gentle and understanding approach has really helped Negra come out of her shell.

And I don’t know where Burrito would be without his 90-lb bodyguard. Whenever Burrito gets himself into trouble, she is there, trolls in hand, and ready to place herself in harm’s way to defend him.

Primatologists often refer to a primate’s political skills as “Machiavellian intelligence.” Chimps with a high level of Machiavellian intelligence are able to work social relationships to their advantage. They form alliances and exchange favors in an effort to climb the social ladder. If I didn’t know her better, I might think that Foxie is a Machiavellian genius, the way that she has won everyone over. But I don’t think she has a cynical or manipulative bone in her body. She just likes everyone and wants everybody to get along. And they, in turn, like her. How could you not?

Nature documentaries tend to focus on the alpha males, and in many human societies, we deify the powerful. But behind all the brash, dominant types hogging the spotlight, there’s usually someone like Foxie holding everything together.

If anyone deserves our admiration, it’s her.

When Jamie says it’s time to walk

February 13, 2015 by J.B.

Jamie is a walking machine. All day long, she asks – OK, demands – for her caregivers to put on some cowboy boots and join her on patrol of her two-acre enclosure. How does a chimpanzee who doesn’t know sign language make such a complex demand? Part of it is that we just know Jamie well – over the years, we’ve figured out what she likes through a lot of trial and error and we’ve settled into a routine. But as you can see in this video, she also makes herself understood through a lot of pointing, gesturing, and stomping. And if you’ve ever visited another country and were forced to communicate through gesture (and maybe some stomping as frustration set in), you know that you can actually communicate a lot of information that way.

Jamie doesn’t care if we’re in the middle of something else, like cleaning enclosures or washing toys, when she asks. When she wants to walk, we’re expected to drop everything and comply. But hey, you can’t say no to the boss…

Today is for loved ones

February 13, 2015 by Diana

Very appropriately for the day before Valentine’s Day, today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by two caring people in honor of loved ones.

Doris Wunch is honoring her husband, William Goodman, with this sponsor-a-day message: “This Friday, February 13, is my husbands birthday. As a animal lover, he will be honored to share his day with these fun loving chimpanzees as they enjoy their freedom in the beautiful northwest.”

Virginia Ray sponsored the day in honor of her mother with this message, “In memory of my Mom who raised me to have a great love of all creatures.”

It’s very touching for the humans at the sanctuary to learn more about donors and their loved ones through the Sponsor-a-Day program and to be able to share wonderful people and touching messages with our supporters. And these messages of love are also helping to provide for the care of the chimpanzees.

On our social media sites this week leading up to Valentine’s Day, we’ve been sharing “Love is…” images. With these loving messages for today’s day of sanctuary from Doris and Virginia, it only seemed fitting to share them in this post

William, we wish you the happiest of birthdays filled with the things you love, and Virginia, we hope you will have many memories of your mother today remembering what made her the happiest in life. Thank you for being a part of the chimpanzees’ happiness.

We will post Negra’s message on our social media sites tomorrow – you can view our public Facebook page even if you’re not signed up with your own Facebook account.

The Meaning of Sanctuary

February 8, 2015 by Keri

Like many of you who read Diana’s blog yesterday, I was moved to tears thinking about all of the captive chimpanzees who have spent most or all of their lives in biomedical research and who have never known a life of sanctuary. Instead, their only perspective of life thus far is from behind metal bars, with no autonomy, no hope. And her post got me to thinking about what it means to provide sanctuary for Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra and what it possibly means to each one of them.

Webster’s dictionary defines sanctuary as “a place where someone or something is protected or given shelter” and “the protection that is provided by a safe place.” To me, that definition just doesn’t seem to convey the whole meaning of what I think the word sanctuary means.

I certainly agree that sanctuary means a “safe” place where someone is protected. But, I also think sanctuary means so much more than just that. To provide sanctuary also means to provide a place where each and every chimpanzee can feel the sun on their face and grass beneath their feet. It means providing opportunity for each of them to make choices on behalf of themselves, like whether or not to go outdoors or stay inside and nap or to play a game of chase or pass the troll with human caregivers. It also means providing a space in which there are no expectations of any of them other than for them to be themselves; essentially providing a place where they call the shots. And sanctuary means providing a home where they can feel hope, love and a place they consider their true home. This is what providing sanctuary means to me.

For Annie, sanctuary means being able to share the same space with her best friend Missy and fresh green grass.

Sanctuary for Burrito probably means access to fresh food!

Sanctuary for Foxie means she can finally care for her “babies”

For Jamie, sanctuary probably has a lot to do with walks around Young’s Hill and boots.

Sanctuary for Jody probably has something to do with foraging for plants on Young’s Hill.

For Missy, sanctuary means having the space to run, jump, swing, tight-rope walk and use every form of locomotion possible.

Peanuts, blankets and naps are what Negra seems to enjoy the most about sanctuary.

And finally, for me, sanctuary means that we humans are here for these chimpanzees, they are not here for us. I look forward to the day when all chimpanzees currently in captivity are retired to a true sanctuary.

Annie

February 6, 2015 by J.B.

Annie and Missy have been best friends for years.

In fact, their friendship was evident during our very first visit to meet them in the laboratory. But the relationship wasn’t always equal. Missy has very clearly always loved Annie, but for Annie, it was more than love. For a time, she was completely dependent on Missy. She would become visibly anxious if Missy even started to play with another chimp. And when Young’s Hill was built, it made it possible for Missy to go off on her own and not even be within Annie’s sight. When that happened, Annie would sit at the bottom of the hill, rocking, and waiting for her friend to return safely.

Thankfully, Annie has grown more confident since then. These days, she seems totally content to sit on the hill by herself while Missy is off patrolling with Jamie.

It seems that Annie has learned to navigate the world on her own, even if it’s only for ten minutes at a time.

Bill and Nicki Walters – more celebration!

February 6, 2015 by Diana

Mari and Adam Osuna are continuing the three day streak of honoring Bill Walters for his birthday, and they are also honoring Bill’s wife Nicki, who was the first to sponsor-a-day in honor of Bill’s birthday.

As Mari and Adam suggest: “let’s keep the party going for Bill’s Birthday!”

We at the sanctuary are more than happy to do just that.

If you missed the first blog and you’re curious who this couple is who obviously have some very caring and generous friends, you can read about Bill and Nicki on their business page.

Many thanks to Nicki, Kenneth, and now Mari and Adam for sponsoring the last three days in honor of Bill.

Parties are an important part of sanctuary life, too. Celebrating and having fun with friends is good for everyone. Burrito is often the most enthusiastic party-goer amongst the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees, and here are a few photos demonstrating his enthusiasm:

with his friend Foxie:

A beautiful day

January 30, 2015 by J.B.

There’s just something about a warm, sunny day in the middle of winter that makes you appreciate the great outdoors a little bit more. Last Monday, as people all over the Pacific Northwest were putting on shorts and flip flops and laying out in the sun, the chimps were enjoying the day in their own way.

Jamie, Foxie, and Dora the Explorer: