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young's hill

A New Throne

May 15, 2023 by Chad de Bree

Followers who have been reading the blog for a little while may remember the Comfort & Joy Auction from last fall. The items bidders made for the chimpanzees were then highlighted throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas series. Though we covered some, we did not cover all of the items. Mostly because some items took a little longer to get. Well, today were were *finally* able to give the California chimpanzees another one of the items from that auction. Today, Honey B was able to finally get her chair! But before we get to the photos of Honey B using the chair:

Sending a special thank you to

Diane Mattis

Thank you so much for bidding on this item. Honey B wasted no time utilizing it. Every time I went back to their side of the building to get photos her using it, the chimpanzees would stop what they were doing. I was able to get some not so great photos though. It’s the context that counts, right?

Honey B was the first to claim her new seat

When I first found her, she was surrounded by others grooming her on her new throne

As you can see, in one photo, Lucky left when I was trying to get a photo, and Terry left when I tried from a different angle. Hopefully you get the idea though. All three of them (Rayne is also included) were grooming Honey B as she sat atop her throne.

As Honey B was taking in the ambience the new chair brought to Marmot Mountain Playroom, their neighbors were busy enjoying Spring.

One of my favorite things about Spring, and my indication that it is spring, is when the Pacific Bleeding Heart flowers begin to bloom.

This plant lives right outside the door that leads to their front rooms. But there was no time to admire the flowers, or so I was told.

It was time to go around Young’s Hill.

Luckily for me, about half way through our walk/run, Burrito got distracted by some morning Spring grass. Unluckily for me (but actually luckily for me), Missy picked up where he left off.

Missy is a chimp’s chimp. She will choose her family 99.9999999999999% of the time over dealing with the humans. In my case, she usually gives me one or two good acknowledgments a year. But unlike some of my colleagues, my interactions have never been grooming with her or playing tug-o-war. It has always been running around the hill. As you may have guessed, I lose every single time.

When we reached the very top of Young’s Hill, Missy took a break and sat in the shade to lookout upon her home.

When the break was over, it was time for a quick snack of fresh Spring grass.

Not far behind Missy was her best friend, Annie.

And Burrito came around shortly after.

A little later on, they all enjoyed a nice breezy lunch forage. Though she spent some time in her cabin eating the goods she found in it, Negra ultimately decided to grab some last minute picks and take it back to the Greenhouse.

This nice sustained Spring weather has been amazing so far. We hope you are all enjoying the weather wherever you may be as well.

Bonus Photos

Rayne in relaxation mode

Jamie doing her first patrol of the morning

Missy with a lilac bounty she collected from Young’s Hill the other day in honor of Jody

Mave, Dora, and Honey B having a nice lunch together in the outdoor chute during their watermelon bowl forage yesterday

Filed Under: Enrichment, Sanctuary, Young's Hill Tagged With: Annie, Burrito, dora, forage, Honey B, Mave, Missy, morning patrol, Negra, Rayne, run, walk, watermelon bowls, young's hill

New Beginnings

May 10, 2023 by Kelsi

I think it is time to celebrate something. This morning started off like any other. Jamie’s group went out onto Young’s Hill, including Negra! It was the perfect morning to forage for grass and feel the warm sunshine.

Negra:

However, later in the afternoon we closed off Young’s Hill because… Rayne’s group went out on the the Bray for the first time!!!!!! I don’t think any of us expected this group to explore so much the first time, it was amazing to watch.

Rayne walked out onto the Bray, not a hair was pilo, like she had always belonged there. It was really magical to watch her be so confident walking out into the unknown, she was truly at ease.

Terry explored so much!

Willy B surprised us! He never really explored much when he was in the the old courtyard, but today he explored everything, even the top of Esher.

There is so much more we want to share, but it will have to wait until tomorrow! All I want to say is that we are so proud of them, not everyone went out, it will still take some time for them to get comfortable, but today for all of us staff this felt sooo good!

We will be splitting Hill time between the two groups until Rayne’s group becomes more comfort and secure on the Bray, but we have started the process!

Bonus photos of Foxie:

Filed Under: Foxie, Gordo, Negra, Rayne, Sanctuary, Terry, Willy B, Young's Hill Tagged With: Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Foxie, Gordo, Negra, Rayne, Sanctuary, Terry, Willy B, young's hill

Family Time

May 9, 2023 by Grace

After the loss of Jody, words have been hard for me to find. Sometimes, though, I think that we don’t need words- just quality time. Quality time with our friends, family, and loved ones to get us through the tough times.

Since last week, I’ve had the chance to film some videos of little moments between the chimps on both sides of the building. I hope you enjoy these moments as much as I have and I hope they warm your heart like they have mine.

P.S: Don’t forget that we have our virtual visit with Cy’s group coming up on Sunday, May 21st at 1:00pm PST! Register now to save your spot and submit your questions for us to answer during the live-stream.

BONUS PHOTOS: Jody’s group on Young’s Hill for a lunch forage.

Annie, bipedal, looking for lunch goodies:

Foxie, with her doll in her back foot and a cherry tomato:

Jamie really scored with one of her favorites, mini sweet peppers:

Missy took her lunch back into the greenhouse:

Negra and Burrito on the move:

Filed Under: Chimpanzee, Forage, Latest Videos, Most Viewed Videos, Sanctuary, Young's Hill Tagged With: chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Cle Elum 7, Honey B, Sanctuary, young's hill

Grass Frenzy

April 28, 2023 by Anna

The time of year has come when the grass seems to be at peak deliciousness. This morning Annie and Negra set about devouring  fistfuls of green bounty. I watched Annie slowly sink onto her stomach so she could eat in a more comfortable position.  All hail springtime!

Filed Under: Annie, Negra, Sanctuary, Young's Hill Tagged With: eating grass, grass, springtime, young's hill

A Day to Forage

April 27, 2023 by Grace

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that no two days here at CSNW are the same. Especially in spring time, when there are an abundance of projects to be done, you never really know what your day will hold.

Today is an absolutely perfect spring (early summer?! maybe?!) day here in Cle Elum, WA. The sky is that precious blue bird blue with only a few clouds floating by, the temperature is warm with a nice breeze that keeps you comfy, and the sunshine is bright. Most of the chimp house doors and windows are open, so it’s hard not to feel that happy feeling that comes with having a soft breeze and fresh air throughout the chimp house after winter.

In season appropriate fashion, this week has been dubbed spring cleaning week and today our team is tackling the kitchen. It’s quite the task, believe me. One of the items on the list was to de-frost the freezer, which meant an exciting forage of “All-The-Frozen-Things” this morning! We put out a daily morning forage when we are done with the first round of cleaning on each side of the building. It’s different every day, but the frozen treats were pretty unique and it had everyone excited!

Negra and Jody were both particularly excited when they saw the icy treats. 🙂

While we enjoy spring cleaning with the windows open, the chimps are leaning into the season with all their might! Cy’s group has access to their outdoor chute and this morning I arrived to find most of them out enjoying the early sunshine. Can you count (and identify) the chimps in this photo?!

To continue the excitement, we did a lunch forage for Jamie’s group on Young’s Hill. J.B. recently wrote about how construction has resumed on The Bray for Cy’s group, which meant that Jamie’s group had to be off the hill for a few days too since some of the tasks involved both sides of the hill. Today we were able to give them access just in time for a lunch forage and a more perfect day could not be had!

Foxie took her doll with her to forage, of course.

On a lovely day like today it’s hard not to think about how grateful I am for our supporters who have made sanctuary life possible for our 16 chimp and 4 bovine friends. As someone who got involved at CSNW as an intern in grad school, left for a few years, and then had the opportunity to return full time – it’s amazing how many things have changed in just a few years. Taking a bigger step back and looking at the then-and-now between fifteen years ago and the present day, it’s truly inspiring. That’s what all of you, every person reading this blog, have helped to create- years full of hope and love in a forever home for individuals who deserve it so much.

As we reflect back we also have to look forward, which means reaching out a hand to you. Right now, early giving is open for GiveBIG. Every donation matters – no matter how big or small – and, right now, donations are being matched by our amazing supporter, Donna T! Please consider helping us reach our goal– every donation will go to support our incredible residents.

Like beautiful and amazingly cool, Jamie.

We’re also super excited to announce our next Virtual Visit! We will be hosting a virtual Lunch with Cy’s Group on Sunday, May 21st from 1:00 – 2:00pm PT! If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to serve a meal to the nine chimps in Cy’s group, then this is the event for you. Be sure to register today to save your seat and submit any questions you have so we can answer them during the virtual visit!

Cy can’t wait!

BONUS PHOTOS:

A drama, in three photos, caught by Caregiver Chad’s photography skills.

Gordo and Dora enjoying the chute:

Sweet Foxie in a peaceful moment.

Filed Under: Chimpanzee, Cy, Dora, Forage, Foxie, Fundraising, Jamie, Jody, Negra, Sanctuary, Young's Hill Tagged With: chimp sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Jamie, Negra, Sanctuary, young's hill

First Looks

April 6, 2023 by Anna

One of my favorite parts of the morning routine is when we first open the door that leads to Young’s Hill. Some chimps like Burrito will run out into the enclosure with gusto, while others will take a moment to scan the horizon before setting out on an adventure.

Here Foxie, Annie and Jody take it all in.

Annie:

Foxie (and friends):

Serious Jody in Black and White:

Filed Under: Annie, Foxie, Jody, Sanctuary, Young's Hill Tagged With: door Y, first look, raceway, young's hill

New Spring

April 4, 2023 by Chad de Bree

Spring is known as a time for new beginnings. Though there aren’t any new beginnings, per se, there are some new things that have been seen around the Chimp House. Be sure to watch the video!

Also, here are some photos from today!

Gordo in the Riverview Greenhouse

Missy during a forage on Young’s Hill

Jamie and Burrito on Young’s Hill

Annie eating her bounty from the forage (note the pin headband in her pelvic pocket)

Annie and Missy watching as a raven collects the scraps left on Young’s Hill

Filed Under: Latest Videos, Sanctuary, Young's Hill Tagged With: Burrito, dinner, dora, Mave, new things, Terry, Willy B, young's hill

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Cle Elum, WA 98922
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509-699-0728
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EIN: 68-0552915

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