We put the GoPro camera out on Wednesday to film some of the forage. I shouldn’t be surprised by anything the chimps do anymore, but I’m still amazed at how quickly they notice that the camera has been placed in its housing. You can’t get anything past them.
young's hill
Another beautiful day
Today was yet another unseasonably warm day, and the chimps enjoyed another lunch forage on the hill.
Once they had found all the food, Missy and Jody went on a mission to find ice in the tire swings. Despite the warm weather, temperatures have been dropping to just below freezing overnight, leaving icy treats all over the hill in the morning.
Jody was the big winner.
Missy didn’t seem to mind too much – she had better things to do.
Later, part of the group spent time at the top of Young’s Hill, soaking in the sun and enjoying the view of the neighbor’s farm, the train tracks, and the river.
Happy Birthday, Don Young!
Today we’re celebrating Don Young’s 75th birthday. Don and Karen Young have been endlessly generous in their support of the sanctuary and the Cle Elum Seven. Among many other things, Don and Karen provided the contribution that allowed us to break ground on what is now known as Young’s Hill. Each time the chimpanzees step outside onto their two-acre open air habitat, we feel so thankful to the Youngs for making it happen. See Diana’s blog post from this morning for more on Don and Karen.
Karen sponsored today for the chimps in honor of Don’s birthday, so we threw a lavish party to celebrate. The weather was unseasonably nice today, so first thing this morning we set up parties in the greenhouse and on Young’s Hill. The chimps foraged for coconuts, pineapple, kiwi, beets, Brussels sprouts, sweet potato, and fruit smoothie in Dixie cups.
Although the weather was beautiful for January in Cle Elum, it was still a little cool for Negra, so she chose to stay in the greenhouse:
But everyone else went outside and foraged for breakfast on Young’s Hill:
Burrito gathered some Brussels sprouts:
And Jamie collected some beets:
The real prizes of the morning were the two whole coconuts. Missy quickly found one of them:
and looked for a safe place to enjoy it:
She was soon joined by Jody:
Jody was very happy to find the second coconut a little later:
There was plenty of coconut to go around, and everyone eventually got a chance to enjoy some.
Foxie:
Annie:
We can’t possibly count the ways in which we’re grateful for Karen and Don’s generosity. The Cle Elum Seven wouldn’t enjoy the life they do without them. Happy birthday, Don!
Today is for Don Young
A giant Happy Birthday to Don Young today! Don’s wife Karen is sponsoring today in honor of Don’s 75th birthday and shared these sentiments: “Happy 75th to my wonderful husband, Don, who has so generously supported my chimp passion so that it is now his passion as well! Here is to you and a chimp party in your honor! Love, Karen.”
The chimpanzees celebrate Don and Karen every day when they step onto Young’s Hill – the two acre habitat that the Youngs helped to fund. They also funded the greenhouse project, the termite mound on Young’s Hill, and contributed generously towards the medical clinic.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest simply wouldn’t be what it is without their help, and we can’t thank them enough.
We’ll be throwing a BIG party for Don today – check back on the blog later for photos, or get the blog posts in your inbox by subscribing – just scroll down on this page below all of the announcements, etc., put your email address in the box below the words, “Subscribe to Blog via Email,” and then click “subscribe.”
In the meantime, watch the video below of the chimpanzees first day on Young’s Hill:
Happy Birthday, Don!
What’s in There?
On Young’s Hill
The chimpanzees’ relationship with Young’s Hill has certainly developed over the time they have had access to it. Sanctuary has provided them with the room to run physically as well as the room to expand psychologically. Not only have they grown as individuals as a result of the space provided but their relationships and sense of self appear to have evolved as well. Today, in honor of the gift that space provides, here is a visual exposition of the chimpanzees experiencing the splendor of Young’s Hill.
Jamie walking through the grass:
Foxie sitting up on one of the wooden climbing structures:
Forest
I love seeing the chimps on Young’s Hill with the forest as a backdrop. Though we can never return them to the wild, we can give them the next best thing. After living decades in the lab, I imagine it must feel pretty great to have open air, sunshine, and blue sky overhead. And the view isn’t too bad either.