Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Sanctuary

A Playful, Thankful Tuesday

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As Giving Day for Apes continues to be underway, we just wanted to say thank you to those who have donated thus far on this day of days fundraiser! And what better way than a video full of play!

You donations will help enrich their lives!

Cy and Rayne perusing through magazines!
Jody and Annie flipping through some pages as well!

Your donations will help ensure the chimpanzees will never go hungry!

Jamie watching breakfast being served to the others while eating her orange in a nest.

Your donations will help us complete the expansion of Young’s Hill and the completion of The Bray!

Terry watching the construction being conducted in what will be The Bray!

But overall, your donations will help them live the best lives that they can!

Burrito giving his “We’re going to play!” face before lunch!
Cy looking as handsome as ever!
Jamie playing a game of “Floor is lava” by building a bridge from the stairs to her favorite window in the Playroom.
Lucky and Willy B playing before breakfast!
Negra getting ready to settle in her nest!
Cy and Willy B grooming in the Riverview Greenhouse!

Thank you all for helping us provide this to them! There is still time to donate during this campaign. Giving Day for Apes ends at 11:59PM EST (8:59PM PST)! You can donate through our page by clicking here!

Nesting Shenanigans

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When people ask us what our job involves here in the chimp house, of course we talk about the relationships we have with the chimps, cleaning, and meal / enrichment prep. What often doesn’t make the list, or at least not my list, is laundry. Our laundry machines are full time employees here at CSNW, working about 8 hours every day. You might ask- why do you have so much laundry? Good question. The answer, short and sweet, is blankets.

We provide both groups of chimps with enough for everyone to have at least ten blankets. Some people use these blankets for play (ahem, Burrito), but most often they are used for nesting. Chimpanzees, both in captivity and the wild, build nests for sleeping. In wild populations, chimpanzees will build nests from branches (sometimes from more than one tree) by weaving them together. They will also use leaves in their nests. Captive chimpanzees are provided blankets to support this species typical behavior and everyone has their own unique preferences!

While some individuals don’t spend a lot of time nesting, they are given the choice to do what they want and some choose to sleep in extravagant nests (Negra), on top of a few simple blankets (Burrito), or without blankets around at all (Foxie). Some also include other items in their nests, which always makes it interesting for caregivers the next day during cleaning! 🙂

Check out today’s video for more!

In other news, tomorrow is a big day- it’s Giving Day for Apes! If you receive our e-newsletter, then you already saw Diana’s email about it (if you’re not subscribed and you would like to be, click here). Diana said it best-

“Tomorrow is Giving Day for Apes, a big day for sanctuaries and rescue centers across the world caring for apes. We are already behind in this competition, and we could use your help!

Make a donation now AND during the 3-4pm PT / 6-7pm ET Power Hour tomorrow.

During that hour, thanks to a generous and loyal donor, all donations up to $15,000 will be matched, plus you’ll put us in the running for additional prizes given to the organization with the most unique donations during that hour (your donation will count as unique even if you gave previously).”

Big things have been happening here at CSNW over the last few years, and it’s all thanks to our generous donors and supporters. Now we’re asking you to help us give both groups of chimps new outdoor areas- which is particularly special, as this will be the first time the Lucky Six (who arrived last year from Wildlife Waystation) will be outside in an open-air enclosure. Thank you in advance for your support!

Annie: in a greenhouse nest that used to be Negra’s, then was Burrito’s at breakfast, and now it is hers!

Burrito:

Dora:

Honey B:

Lucky:

Terry:

A Soothing Sunday

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It’s been a busy, busy day in the chimp house! While the caregivers have been busy with cleaning, the chimps have been busy with play, grooming, and relaxation. A perfect way to kick off the week!

Here are some photos from the day:

Terry mid-climb:

Honey B:

Cy catching up on facts about Mr. Bill Nye [the science guy]:

Jamie:

Lucky:

We hope you had a good weekend!

Foxie Doesn’t Care

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As caregiver Sofia and I were cleaning the Playroom I heard a knock on the share window by the Green House. When I looked over, it was Foxie with two dolls! I ran over to say hi through the window before going upstairs to squeegee, but then she knocked on the window one more time and erupted into a game of chase. I ran out telling Sofia I would be right back! Foxie did not care that we were cleaning, it was time to play. We chased for several minutes before she decided it was time to have her dolls back. However, before I could go back to help clean Jamie and Missy needed tomatoes from the garden, obviously!

On the other side of the building, Willy B has recovered very well! We have been starting the process of reintroducing Willy B back into his group. Because they are a relatively new group we need to slowly add Willy B back to ensure overall success and well-being. We have been doing play dates, but today we took the step of adding him into a small group overnight to make sure it goes okay. If all goes well he will be back with his group tomorrow!

Everyone has been so excited to see Willy B, his day has been full of grooming and playing chase :)!

It’s October, which means Jamieween is right around the corner! Make sure to keep checking on our Amazon Wish List for Jamie’s party!

Play Day Tuesday

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As caregiver Grace and I were cleaning Burrito’s playroom, I saw him and Missy engage in a fun play session. They were having such a fun time, the play session lasted a very long time. Every time I tried to pull away from recording to help Grace clean, they would engage in a different game that I had to record.

Here are some bonus photos as well!

Annie eating her breakfast chow biscuits while watching the construction crew work on Young’s Hill.

Gordo also watching the construction while sitting inside a Prima-Rocker in the Oakwood Greenhouse.

Then sitting in one of his favorite spots, the window ledge.

Mave waiting for lunch service to begin.

Negra still cozy in her nest as I said good morning to her when I got in.

Lucky being beautiful as always!

And this guy! I can only imagine what is going through his head.

Oh right! Playing! That’s what’s on his mind!

And don’t forget, Giving Day for Apes is right around the corner! Tuesday, October 11th to be exact! You can help us by donating on our page or by creating a fundraiser page of your own! Be sure to check out when the Power Hours are and other prizes on the 11th to try to make your contribution more impactful!

Lunchtime With the Cle Elum Seven

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Meals are always an exciting time of the day around here! The chimps get fresh fruits and vegetables for all three meals of the day, along with forages and food puzzles throughout the day and evening. Everyone has their favorites, of course, and today Caregiver Katelyn prepared tomatoes, mini sweet peppers, and avocados for lunch!

Join us for lunchtime with the Cle Elum Seven on this beautiful October day. 🙂

Terry, inspecting his own hand:

Terry, noticing me taking photos:

Negra during a meal last week:

Missy, watching Foxie play with Caregiver Katelyn:

Lucky hanging out with me earlier this morning:

A thread of Burrito photos, because he’s handsome and I couldn’t pick just one:

In Memory of Dr. B

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The world lost an incredible human being recently. Jocelyn Bezner, VMD, was a friend and a mentor to the staff of CSNW and played a vital role in the chimps’ care over the years. She regularly consulted with Dr. Erin on diagnoses and courses of treatment, even joining in on surgeries over FaceTime. She was a wealth of knowledge and always had time to help chimpanzees, regardless of where they lived.

I asked Dr. Erin if I could share a portion of the email she sent to the rest of the staff when she broke the news. She summed up what Dr. B meant to us and the world better than I could have:

Jocelyn was one of the kindest, most supportive and selfless people I’ve ever known.  She was truly an amazing chimp vet and human being and it’s hard to believe that she is gone.  I wouldn’t know half of what I do about chimp medicine and behavior if it were not for her mentorship and support.  She was SO encouraging and supportive but also very authentic and didn’t take life too seriously. She was the easiest person to talk to and I will miss her very much. 

[…] I am just now understanding how many people’s lives she touched and enriched, both human and non human.  Such a loss for the veterinary community, the chimpanzee sanctuary world and for all who loved her.  She was smart, funny, fiercely dedicated to chimpanzees and a lot of fun to hang out with.   She was one extremely loved human and in many ways was my hero. 

I strive to embrace life and worry less in honor of the one and only Bez.  

Thanks for everything, Dr. B.

📸: Save the Chimps