Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.
The grass is so lush that sometimes it feels like we are playing I Spy. This morning, especially for Jody I could barely keep up. Jody was weaving in and out of the tall grass and bamboo bushes. When she finally emerged Jody had stuffed her face with so much prickly lettuce!
Bubba and Annie spent some quality time outside together:
Jamie and Foxie went on a perimeter walk together:
Foxie and her doll having a moment:
I love this photo of Jamie hidden behind the tall grass:
We had a very busy day at the Sanctuary today! Luckily I was able to snap a few photos this morning. I hope you enjoy these on this wonderful Saturday!
Sweet sweet Annie:
Neggie enjoying the summer morning sun:
Wonderful Jody:
You can barley see Missy in the tall grass:
Jamie enjoyed her morning supervising:
And Foxie let Jamie borrow her new Strawberry Shortcake doll:
I could look at Burrito all day:
I mean look at this dreamboat:
Dylan Most sponsored this beautiful day in celebration of the summer solstice (or winter as the case may be 🙂 )!
Dylan, thank you so much for helping the chimpanzees welcome this lovely time of year at the sanctuary! We love these glorious days of chimpanzees hidden in the wilds of Young’s Hill amid the tall, green grass, afternoons spent lounging in the sun-filled greenhouse and air filled with birdsong and flowers.
Whether your summer or winter, we hope all of you enjoy the particular beauty found in the season just as you make possible for the chimpanzees:
Negra:
Annie:
Mr. and Ms. Bluebird:
Foxie:
Jody:
Burrito:
Missy:
Today we celebrated Negra’s 46th birthday and the 11th anniversary of the chimpanzees’ arrival to their sanctuary. Since it’s Negra’s (honorary) birthday, we geared the day towards the things she truly loves. The morning started with a beautiful brunch featuring buckwheat carrot waffles (with a peanut butter drizzle) made with love by volunteer caregiver Patti, hard boiled eggs from my happy chickens, fresh roses and juicy plums!
I think this video of the waffle feast pretty much sums up how absolutely delighted Negra was.
Then for lunch we set out a giant lettuce forage. It’s really nice that simple things like a whole head of lettuce can still be so exciting to the chimps (even after 11 years!!).
Everyone enjoyed their lunch, but Jamie really wowed us (and not just because she collected a bunch of lettuce). It had more to do with what she decided to do after she filled her hands and mouth:
We were all in awe as she crossed an entire tightrope like this:
Here’s to many more years of waffle and lettuce celebrations!
It’s our favorite time of year when the grass is green and so tall that you can barely see the chimps!
Burrito hidden in the grass:
Jody protecting and foraging:
Annie:
Missy:
However, with tall grass means patrolling for snakes becomes even more important (Missy and Annie looking for snakes in the morning which they did find one in later in the day):
And tiny Foxie:
Rachel Ruggeri sponsored today in memory of her father, Robert Ruggeri, and shared this beautiful note about her gift:
“Today would mark my father’s 83rd birthday. And though he passed away six years ago in July, he is ever present in our thoughts and a part of so many of our conversations. My father loved to laugh and he found so much joy in the everyday antics of animals, most especially primates. He would be comforted knowing that the gang of seven now joined by the bovine bunch had found a future filled with peace and independence at the sanctuary in the quiet hills of Eastern Washington. I like to think that my father has also found that sanctuary somewhere in the ether…high above the clouds, but still within a distance to see all the beauty in the world he left behind. We miss him each and every day, but know that “sanctuary” is where we all ultimately aspire to be…”
Rachel, thank you so much for remembering your father in this way and for the difference you make in the chimpanzees’ lives by doing so. We’re honored to celebrate Robert’s legacy and wish you and your family a day of comfort and joy-filled memories as you hold him in your hearts.
Negra:
Foxie and Missy:
Jamie:
Burrito:
(clockwise) Honey, Betsy, Nutmeg and Meredith (front):
Jody, Foxie and Annie:
The chimpanzees were out and about early this morning, enjoying the cooler air and getting some foraging and exploration done before the day heated up. Negra was waiting at the door and led the group onto Young’s Hill before heading off into a shady spot on her own:
Jody made her way back to the greenhouse with a beautiful pine tree, goat’s beard dandelion bouquet:
Annie braved the tall, potentially snake-filled grass, picking dandelions to snack on along the way. Thankfully for Annie (and any snakes), it was a snake-free day:
Annie and Missy, besties:
It’s been a relaxing Sunday for everyone otherwise. As our weather inches closer to summertime temperatures the chimps have chosen to spend much of their day nesting in the cooler chimp house, grooming each other and generally lolling about trying to stay cool.
The chimps are all in their night nests and just let out nest grunts of goodnight with the exception of Jamie, who is in the greenhouse, anxious for the evening to cool off a bit so she can catch up on her walks for the day. So you know what that means…we’re donning cowboy boots for an evening stroll around the hill with the boss lady.
