Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Look How Far We’ve Come

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It’s my favorite time of year. When the grass is green and so tall you can barely see the chimps! As I went to take pictures of Jamie’s side of the building this morning, I looked over to the Bray and saw all of Honey B’s group outside on the Bray.

It made me reflect on how far their group has come. Nowadays, Mave spends a lot of her time out on the Bray. I remember a time when she was too afraid to go out. I love watching her and Honey B become so comfortable outside it’s now a preference for them. Sometimes even holding out from shifting so that they can keep it longer.

To me, it is a reflection of what sanctuary offers: providing choice and consistency for them. So that one day things like going outside, something that should have always be accessible to them in their prior life, are now always given, with the hope that one day it will not be so scary. But also recognizing that we have to meet the chimps where they are. Some may never go outside because of the fear, but the choice will always be there for them.

Today, when I looked out to the Bray to see Honey B, Willy B, and Mave all outside at the same time, I just felt really proud of them, for how far they have come.

Mave:

Honey B:

Willy B:

Morning Stroll

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This morning after breakfast, Jamie very enthusiastically gestured for Dusty and I to go on a walk. It had been a while since I had gone on a walk, so I looked at Dusty and say “Well, let’s go then!”, and a walk we did! We went for a nice and slow perimeter walk where Jamie looked for snakes and Missy collected as many yellow goatsbeard weeds in her mouth as she could! It was a really nice way to start the day. I hope this walk made your day the way it did for Dusty and I!

Bonus Terry:

A Wild Forage

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There are few things better than watching the chimps forage on wild plants. They’re abundant, enriching, healthy (the ones they choose to eat, anyway), and in some cases, even medicinal.  I’ve always wondered about the way the chimps sometimes consume individual blades on grass. In Gombe, chimps have been seen swallowing the rough, hairy leaves of the Aspilia plant. Researchers believe the leaves contains antibiotic and anti-parasitic compounds and that the hairs on the leaves may work to mechanically remove parasites as they pass through the intestines. Whatever the CSNW chimps are doing, it’s different from the way they eat fruits and vegetables, and even different from the way they eat grass at other times (Burrito often eats spring grass by the handful). Do they know something we don’t? Or are they acting upon an instinct that’s been divorced from its evolved application, like the way they weave secure nests out of blankets even though the don’t sleep up in the trees? Maybe grass just tastes better one blade at a time.

The Different Faces of Jamie

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If I am honest the chimps were off doing chimp things today, leaving me empty handed for a blog! However, as I was pondering about what to write this blog about, I kept thinking about my favorite photos of the chimps. I thought I might share some of my favorites! Here is the thing though, I got really caught up looking at photos of Jamie and couldn’t pick one. So this actually just became a photo blog of Jamie. Jamie is such a complex individual. She is rigid and domineering at times, but can also be gentle and silly. It is fascinating to see how other caregivers are able to capture who Jamie is through their lens. These photos only scratch the surface of who Jamie is, but I hope you enjoy!

One of my favorite pictures of Jamie was taken by Chad. Jamie looking up to the sky.

Jamie by Jenna

Jamie by JB

Jamie by Katelyn

Jamie by Kelsi

 

New Tower on the Bray

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In what’s become an annual tradition, CSNW Founder, Keith, brought a crew of friends out to build a new structure for the chimps. In just two days, the team was able to construct a new tower at the bottom of the Bray—close enough to the building for those chimps who don’t always like venturing farm from home, but high enough on the hill to get a great view of the valley. It was a fun weekend, and the chimps are already enjoying their new tower.

Many thanks to Keith and his crew and to all of our volunteers for enriching the chimps’ lives!

For Jenna

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Something I value very highly working here at CSNW is working as a team, especially in this field. As chimpanzee caregivers we need to work very closely together. This job is obviously very fun, but it can also be dangerous work, which is why safety is so important, but also why we need to be able to trust and depend on one another. Each person on our team brings something different to the table. We need to trust each other, keep each other accountable, rely on one another, and be comfortable asking for help when we need it. That is why our team is so special because this job is so unique, sometimes our coworkers are they only ones who understand what we are going through and so this kind of work makes you really close to one another. Which is why, saying goodbye to someone, like our dear friend Jenna, is so hard.

We wanted to take a moment to give Jenna some appreciation of the the years she has spent with us! Will we will miss her greatly, as you will read, we are very happy for Jenna. Luckily, she will not be far away and we get to keep her as a volunteer!

When I first met Jenna, she was a intern. Jenna’s first shift at CSNW, she asked to start ID tests, which she hadn’t been around the chimps much and I didn’t think she would pass.  However, she passed with flying colors, it left such an impact on me and I hoped one day she would find her way back here, and lucky for us she did! Jenna has so much compassion, you won’t find another person who cares more for the chimps than her – She is always thinking about their needs. She is the first to spot a wound or behavior we need to monitor, always finding creative ways to enrich their day, and constantly looking for the best way to care for our residents. For me, Jenna brings levity to our team, her sense of humor and commentary will be greatly missed. She is always finding a way to make cleaning fun with a game of would you rather, listening to 2000s music, or coming up with a game, like pretend your a firefighter as pull the hose out as fast as possible and the spray the playroom down to see how fast we could clean – we in fact went slower, because we used all our energy pulling the hose out too fast. I will miss lunch breaks with Jenna telling us stories and her power point presentations at lunch about Gypsy Rose. However, with all these fun moments, Jenna also made a very big imprint here. I always tell Jenna she is a jack of all trades. You could put her in any role and she would flourish. She has done amazing with the health and behavior program, helping create and support the PRT program, helping give volunteers recognition, and helping me build and do outreach presentations! As you can tell, Jenna will be greatly missed and we are so lucky to have her not too far way!   -Kelsi

Jenna is a delight to work with. She is funny and always good to gossip about the latest reality TV we both consume. I like to joke that she is meant to be an influencer because she is always telling me about the latest and greatest thing I should try, from skin care to drinks.  At work she has been very supportive with helping me come up with unique ways to appreciate the volunteers and is always looking out for the health and behavior of her chimpanzee friends. I’ll miss seeing Jenna every day but I’m very excited that she’ll still be back as a volunteer!   -Anna

Professionally, I’ve appreciated and admired Jenna’s hard work both as a caregiver and as the Health and Behavior Coordinator. Her thoughtful contributions towards the care of the chimpanzees and cattle and her diligent compiling of other’s perspectives improved their lives. In my mind, there’s no higher accomplishment or legacy. On a personal note, Jenna’s wry sense of humor will be greatly missed!  -Diana

When I started at CSNW and was tasked with revamping the PRT program, Jenna was my lifeline for figuring out what we were already doing and what direction we wanted to go in. She has written so many of our shaping plans for the chimpanzee training program – including the Jamie stationing plan, nail clipping plan and others – to help the chimps with their day to day as well as long term care. Beyond that, Jenna is always there with  amazing stories to make you laugh  or coming up with games to make cleaning the enclosures go by faster. I will genuinely miss having her energy around the chimps house every day.    -Sabrina

The chimp house will be a lot less fun without Jenna’s regular presence. Even on my days off, I can hear the laughter from across the property. At least I will always know when she’s back to volunteer. The chimps have been fortunate to have such a caring, motivated, diligent, hard working, and yes, funny, person working on their behalf these past years, and we’ve been lucky to have her as a teammate. I know Cy will be keeping his eyes on the driveway, just waiting for her to arrive for her next volunteer shift. – J.B.

Jenna and I met in 2019 when she was an intern and I was a volunteer. We had just begun getting to know each other when Covid smacked us in the face and we and everyone else had to go our separate ways. Luckily, we both ended up back at the sanctuary within a few years. To say that I’ve enjoyed working with Jenna would be an understatement. Jenna is a great friend to both the humans and chimps alike! Jenna can make any situation fun, with impromptu challenges like racing Ellen in the parking lot, or timed math tests during break. I’ll especially miss the “would you rather” questions posed to us weekly and her next level story telling. Jenna will be greatly missed and I know for certain that wherever she lands next will be gaining an incredible team member and friend. I love you, Jenna! Don’t forget about us <3.   -Krissy

Dearest Jenna, I will miss your delightful, often quirky sense of humor (thankfully I have the Stepbrothers 2025 calendar to keep me giggling in your absence), stellar chimp caregiver skills, and keen sense of observation. I hope your next workplace knows how lucky they are to be gaining you as a team member! Do you know you are the only person I have written a poem about sourdough starter for?! The sanctuary vibe won’t be the same without you. I will give Lucky some extra love in the coming weeks as I am sure she is going to miss her favorite human. I hope to catch you on your sanctuary visits/volunteer shifts but be warned, I will probably stalk you at your new place of work!   -Erin

Though I’m so happy for Jenna and her next chapter ahead, selfishly, I’m so sad for us humans. But particularly so for the chimpanzees. Caregiving is a dream job, but it’s also one of the hardest. Jenna is a uniquely calm, but present caregiver, so tuned into their well-being and always meeting them where they’re at. Her care, experience, creativity, and humor will be greatly missed. Thankfully we will all still get to see her occasionally and meanwhile, all the new people coming into her life are getting a real gem. Wishing you all the good things, Jenna!  -Katelyn

Jenna was one of the first people I met at the sanctuary, and then and every day since, she’s made work (and life) more fun, silly, and brought each of us closer together. She’s been a unifying force on our team, showing up with kindness and fun – from coaching us through the latest tiktok dance (to later perform for the chimps) to entertaining us with a new story (if you know Jenna, you know she has THE BEST stories!!). As a caregiver, she is observant, thoughtful, creative, and positive. She makes life better (and more fun!) for the chimps too, and I know we will all be thrilled to see her each time she comes back to visit (Lucky especially!). I will miss Jenna greatly, but know that wherever she goes next will be better for having her, just as we are. Thank you for everything, Jenna!  -Ellen

Thank you Jenna for your time and dedication. We can’t wait to see Jenna flourish in her next adventures!

Jenna and Lucky:

Jenna, Grace, and I presenting in Cle Elum:

Jenna and Jamie:

Jenna and I made a calendar for the Christmas party:

Jenna and The Rock, plus Poppy:

Jenna going to cattle:

Jenna and Erin:

Jenna and Negra: