Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Sponsor-a-day

So many reasons to party!

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Spring is in full swing at the sanctuary! Old friends returned from the long winter and we’ve seen the first butterflies, bees, and even our friend, Ellie, the neighborhood elk is back from her roaming. The air is literally humming with bird flight and birdsong and buds and flowers are finally unfurling under a bluebird sky and warming sun. We’re suddenly supposed to see temperatures in the upper 70’s, near 80 by week’s end. Also springing up over the weekend was the chimpanzees’ brand new play structure on Young’s Hill!

The new structure was funded by donations from HOOT! 2017 from Pat Cattolico, Meg Lunnum, and Richard and Lisa Stuverud, who donated during the event at the Care Corner towards a “new small structure” – J.B. maybe has a different idea of “small” than most people!

With plans and materials in hand, we had an incredible group of volunteers spend their weekend to help J.B. execute his plans. After a great crew on Saturday to include Andy, Drew, John and Ray, we were fortunate to have another amazing bunch to finish things up on Sunday, which included chimp house student volunteers, Caroline, Ruth and Blanca, and members of our local community, Natalie, Greg and the Habitat for Humanity crew! If you saw the Sponsor-a-Day post earlier today you had a glimpse of the building in progress, but here’s a few more perspectives of the process:

Even pine trees and raspberries were planted on the hill (we’ll see if they survive Jody’s adventurous eating habits!).

So with today being our ninth annual honorary “Love a Chimpanzee Day” (thanks to long-time friend of the chimps’, Monica Best), naturally, the only thing left to do was throw a big party! We had a breakfast forage on the structure and the chimps’ had an amazing mix of fresh jackfruit (!), oranges, tomatoes, watermelon, banana, grapes, primate chow, and the cherry on top? One whole fresh coconut placed at the very top of the structure.

When I opened the door to the hill the entire family headed out together with Negra leading the way out of the raceway! While everyone else headed straight for the structure, Negra made a stop at her cabin first to check for treats:

Missy was first up!

Everyone quickly made their way to the top. Here’s Jamie:

Missy with a beloved WHOLE tomato!

Foxie:

Missy:

Either no one immediately noticed the coconut at the top, or everyone was just played it cool until they saw an opportunity to grab it without attracting the attention of the others. Jody walking right on by (for now):

Foxie and Dora:

Missy and Jamie:

Missy:

Even Negra made it up the first couple of levels:

Jody and Foxie:

Annie!

And it was Jody who veeery carefully snatched that coconut! Somehow she kept it together all during the forage, acting nonchalant while keeping an eye on boss lady, Jamie (who being the boss, per chimp society, has the right to claim that coconut from anyone). Once Jody made it back to the greenhouse she could no longer contain her excitement and stopped to give us all a bouncy greeting and then sit with her spoils while making her classic “dinosaur” noises (low moans, Jody style). But she ended up leaving the coconut behind to head back out for more of the forage and who do you think was sooo happy to find that coconut unguarded??…

Burrito!! In the end, Jamie did wind up with it, but by day’s end everyone got to share in a second coconut.

To be honest, we have SO many photos of the construction of the structure, the chimps’ first moments checking it out last night and today, that these are the tip of the iceberg. There will be many more photos in the days to come.

To be able to continually improve the chimpanzees’ home with new and exciting forms of enrichment, to make each year of their lives better than the last, to see so many individuals come together to support the chimps in so many different ways, it’s nothing short of a privilege and honor to witness and be part of. From our hearts, we thank all of you who made this possible for the chimps.

And oh! I almost forgot! What are we going to name this new climbing structure?! We are spinning some ideas around, but we welcome your suggestions for possible names!

It’s Love a Chimpanzee Day!

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It’s that time of year again! The official-unofficial holiday, “Love a Chimpanzee Day”! Long-time supporter and friend of the sanctuary, Monica Best, crowned April 23rd as Love a Chimpanzee Day nine years ago and she continues to sponsor this wonderful day each year in honor of: “My seven favorite chimps and all the wonderful staff, volunteers and donors who help care for them so they can have: Hope. Love. Home….SANCTUARY.” Monica shared this note about the celebration:

“LOVE A CHIMPANZEE DAY. A day to honor all chimpanzees, in sanctuaries, zoos, the wild and especially those waiting in labs to come home to find sanctuary. We will never forget you and we will never leave you behind. We won’t quit till every chimp; from research labs, the entertainment industry, backyard zoos and anywhere else they are mistreated and forbidden to live a life free of fear and pain, have found SANCTUARY.”

Monica, thank you for living life from your generous and compassionate heart. You play a big role in helping to ensure these chimps, and so many of our fellow animals, have the kind of lives they deserve and we’re so grateful for you being in the world. And thank you for making up this wonderful holiday! We can never have too much to celebrate when it comes to these seven amazing individuals!

In perfect timing, we get to share what’s been happening on the hill with you all today! The AMAZING new structure for the chimps built by staff and incredible volunteers was finished yesterday afternoon! We can’t wait to show you more and today’s celebration for a breakfast forage on the new structure is underway!

The finishing touches:

The first inspection!

In memory of Bill aka Twister

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Nicki Walters sponsored today for the chimpanzees in memory her late beloved husband, Bill, and his beautiful legacy. She shared this touching message about today:

“This is my anniversary present to the late but incredibly great Bill Walters. Of whom will always be memorialized as Twister. I was so very touched by a recent post of Foxie finally making it to the top. I could literally hear him cheering her on as I read. He was the ultimate supporter of the underdog, or in this case, underape, or in my case underhuman. My life will forever be better for having him in it and it fills my heart knowing the chimps lives are better as well by way of his Twister.”

Nicki, in life and after, both you and Bill bring so much to the chimpanzees and their home. Your love for them and commitment to enriching their lives make a lasting difference on a daily basis. We’re so touched that you were moved by Foxie’s recent brave adventure – it was a heart-singing moment to witness. And one made possible for her, and all the chimps, because of Bill’s life. From our hearts to yours, thank you, to you and your family and friends. We hope today finds you surrounded in the love, inspiration, comfort and adventure that you’ve helped weave through the chimps’ lives.

Revisiting Foxie’s recent adventurous moment atop the Twister. It took her two years of attempts before she felt comfortable working her way up to the top, but every curious, cautious, careful step was one we will always celebrate.

Today is for Janet Holmes, chickens and their humans!

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Janet Holmes sponsored this day of sanctuary and shared this message about her gift!

“For my birthday, and to honor rescued chickens and their people. “I have always loved animals, but for many years I was afraid to get involved with animal rescue because I couldn’t imagine how I would deal with the heartbreak. A few years ago, I decided that animals needed me more than I needed to be comfortable, and I began volunteering for animal rescue groups as a photographer and caregiver. Through this volunteer work I have met many extraordinary individuals (human and non-human) who have taught me about resilience, forgiveness, hard work and love. In particular, in the past year I’ve been working on a special project that involves making portraits of vegan women who rescue and care for chickens. I love those moments when I’m able to make a portrait that allows the extraordinary personalities of these birds and their humans to shine through. You can see some of these portraits here: http://www.blurb.com/b/8541787-why-would-anyone-rescue-a-chicken For the same reasons, I love to (virtually) visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest to see the photographs, videos and stories about the chimpanzees and the people who help them enjoy a safe, loving and enriched environment. And so for my birthday this year, I decided to bring these two communities together through a donation that supports the Sanctuary and honors rescued chickens and the people who care for them. You can read more about this project here: https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/chicken-photo-book-janet-holmes. Thank you to everyone who helps Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest provide the best life possible for the chimpanzees!”

Thank you so much, Janet, for choosing to celebrate your own special day in such a compassionate way. Thanks for all your efforts to make the world a place where everyone is honored for their place in it. Happiest of birthdays to you!

Here’s to everyone having a place to roost and call home, surrounded by love for exactly who you are:

In memory of Doris Sims

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Our second special Sponsor a Day of the day comes from long-time volunteer, Patti Sims, in memory of her mother, Doris. Patti shared this message about today:

“I’d like to sponsor April 18th in honor of my mom, Doris Sims, who would have been 89 years old today! She took great interest in my volunteering with the chimps, and always asked how they were doing every time we spoke on the phone. She may not have completely understood my attraction to these seven hairy individuals, but she supported my involvement wholeheartedly. When I’d go back to Iowa to see her, I’d pull up the blog and we’d watch videos of their day. I think, like me, she shared a kindred spirit with Negra. I wish they could have met.”

Patti, thank you so much for always holding the chimps, and all animals, in your heart and for your passion and commitment to making their days better in every way possible. We’re happy to celebrate your mom’s memory with you today. Our hearts are with you and hope it’s a time filled with comfort, love, and reveling in the Neggie spirit.

Happy day to Sharon and Matt!

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We have two special sponsorships for this day of sanctuary which begins with Sharon Langone, who sponsored today with so much to celebrate! Sharon shared this message:

“I’d like to sponsor this day to celebrate both my husband Matt’s birthday and our ten year wedding anniversary! We love to read the blog and see what is going on at the sanctuary each day! We’re also looking forward to visiting the sanctuary in the summer and seeing more of the great work you all do!”

Sharon, how wonderful of you to include the chimpanzees in your day of celebration, love and family! Congratulations to you and Matt on your anniversary! And Matt, we hope this is the best birthday yet! Many thanks to you both for bringing that celebration and love to the chimps’ family and we’re looking forward to your visit this summer!

Love comes in many forms here at the sanctuary. Thank you for helping to ensure there’s a never ending stream coming into the chimps’ lives. All of us here wish you the happiest of days!

An oldie, but goodie of Foxie:

Jamie:

Missy: