I’ve always loved the way chimpanzees sit. They each seem to have their own unique pose when they’re relaxed. They might cross their arms a certain way, or prop an elbow on their knees – some even clasp their toes together.
Sanctuary
PAWSwalk – more fun that a hangar full of dogs
Keith and I manned and womanned the CSNW booth at PAWSwalk yesterday. I had no idea I was going to have so much fun. Keith has been going for years, but this was my first time. We talked to so many wonderful people and I must have patted hundreds of dogs. The Seattle ‘animal community’ is awesome, and PAWS is an organization to admire. Hopefully there are a few new friends on the blog today that stopped by our booth yesterday. I hope to see you at the walk next year too!
Foxie’s daughter
Shelly C. is having trouble posting comments this morning, and wanted us to be sure to send this link of a photo of Angie, Foxie’s daughter. Angie is being cared for by Save the Chimps and will soon be making her journey to their beautiful sanctuary in Florida. Here is a link to her short bio, which includes a photo: http://www.savethechimps.org/bios_angie.asp
We at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest have plans to find other children of the chimpanzees under our care – we just haven’t had the time to do so yet, so thank you Shelly C. for finding Angie! It is so wonderful to learn that Angie is safe at another sanctuary and will soon be moving to Florida where she will live in a large social group and spend her days on an island. I’ll see if I can find out any more information about Angie – just from the brief description, it sounds like she has a lot in common with Foxie.
Washer and Dryer
Thank you all so much for taking it upon yourselves to raise funds for a new industrial washer and dryer set for all of the blankets, sheets, and clothes that we wash for the chimpanzees each day! You asked for it, here is a photo of our current washer and dryer – both were donated before the building was even complete. We’ve been impressed with how they’ve held up thus far. Doing constant loads of laundry could certainly soon take it’s toll any day on this old pair.
Troll Mania
Troll dolls have reached fad status at the chimp house. Jody recently caught on to the trend! Here’s a photo of her with a somewhat bald troll in her hip pocket.
Foxie continues to carry around Princess (or her formerly pink-haired look alike) and allows us to wash the now-bald Trixie each day. When Foxie sees Trixie in the laundry basket drying out, she softly hoots or whimpers, indicating that she wants Trixie back. Then she carries around one big troll (Trixie) and one small troll for most of the day. We’re looking forward to adding to the troll clan – keep them coming!
Two months & a big announcement
A few days ago we reached a milestone – the chimpanzees have been at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest for two months. Decades in research, and now two months in sanctuary. So much has happened in that short time. We’ve learned so much about each of the chimpanzees, and they seem to be changing every day. Jamie has stopped plucking her hair, Foxie now handles enrichment and has displayed rudimentary nesting behavior, Burrito has been working on some really great displays in his expanded space, Jody’s hair is growing back in and she’s developing some muscle, Missy is playing all of the time, Annie is coming into ‘her own’ and standing up for herself, and Negra is enamored with the views out of the windows.
And now the big announcement – the chimpanzees will be in their outdoor area on August 26th!! I can’t wait to share photos and experiences of the chimps touching ground for the first time. Thank you all for you support – you’ve helped make all of this possible!
More party photos
Negra looks on as Foxie opens a birthday gift
Jody and Missy in a mess of wrapping paper. Missy with raisin board.
Annie opening a gift
Missy and Jamie looking out window at horses in field. The chimps are still using a lot of the gifts, like the sturdy yellow table Jamie is sitting on, from the last party donated by blog readers through our Target and Amazon wish list; and the humans are very gratefully using all of the kitchen stuff we received! We’re still adding new items to the Amazon wish list (see link at right) – the latest items received include a Little Tykes wrench and a mirror so we can see the chimpanzees when they are on the second level in the playroom. A huge THANK YOU to all who have donated their time, talent, gifts and money in order for us to care for this very unique group of seven.
Five chimpanzees on catwalk resting in front of the windows after a terrific party.
