Posts by Diana
Who’s There?
We had a group of students visit today from The Northwest School, and the chimpanzees were very curious about them. It was our first group visit at the observation area this year, and the weather was beautiful! Just like our summer visits, a staff member (J.B. today) gave a presentation first in the barn, providing…
Read MoreAnother sign of Spring
J.B. mentioned last week that the real first day of Spring at the sancutary is Negra emerging from the cozy indoors onto Young’s Hill. Well, Missy has her own way of indicating that it’s Spring. Missy can be a pit preoccupied with having what we call the “barn doors” open – even during the winter…
Read MoreCuriosity
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by nonhuman great apes. For a time it was just an interest that added to my overall identity – like how some people like owls, or koala bears, or unicorns. I admired “Leakey’s Ladies” – Dian Fosey, Jane Goodall, and Birute Gladikas – and daydreamed…
Read MoreMissy now and then
I took this photo of Missy a few nights ago when she had joined Jamie for some “after hours” walking around the hill. I was trying to figure out why I love the photo so much (aside from the obvious cuteness of Missy from behind). Today, while on another walk, I think I figured it…
Read MoreFor Lisa Stuverud
Today’s day of sanctuary is for Lisa Stuverud from her wonderful husband Richard, who shared this message: I’d like to sponsor a day in the name of my wife, Lisa Stuverud. April 4th is her birthday and I know how much she loves the chimps and everyone at CSNW. Coincidentally, Lisa and her sister-in-law Linda…
Read MoreThe Circle of Caring
Our primary objectives as caregivers in a sanctuary is continuously improving the well being of those in our care and working to make the world a better place for all chimpanzees. We strive to provide what our tagline says: hope. love. home… sanctuary. It doesn’t take long to realize that all of this just ends…
Read MoreToday in Memory of Linda Vizzare
Lisa Stuverud has sponsored this day of sanctuary in memory of Linda Vizzare. This is the touching message that Lisa shared: Linda is my sister-in-law and my “birthday buddy” for the last 37 years. She passed away November 20th, so April 4th is going to be my first birthday without her to celebrate with. I…
Read MoreToday is for mom Amy Simpson!
Today is Julia Simpson’s birthday, and she chose to sponsor a day of sanctuary in honor of her mother because Julia is grateful to have Amy for a mom. How incredibly sweet is that? Maybe this sweet? Negra kissing Jamie’s brow Foxie kissing a troll doll Happy birthday, Julia! Thanks for all you do…
Read MoreFoxie gazing at Dora
One thing that has become clear to me during my years of working with chimpanzees: there is often no answer to “why” questions, such as “why is Foxie so enamored with troll and Dora the Explorer dolls?” Or, similarly, “why does Jamie want her caregivers to put on cowboy boots and “join” her on her…
Read MoreIs Happiness the Goal?
Today I was in the human part of the greenhouse after walking around the hill with Jamie, and I noticed that all seven of the chimpanzees were taking advantage of the warm greenhouse on this, dare I say, almost summer-like day. Watching the chimpanzees each doing there own thing made me think about a Freaknomics…
Read MoreJody Harvesting in the Greenhouse
As Katelyn mentioned in her post the other day, Jody is known as Jody the Harvester. Though we have been having a very mild winter, there isn’t much new to harvest on Young’s Hill yet. Today, instead, Jody turned her harvesting attentions to the Christmas tree. We’ve been getting a lot of use out of…
Read MoreToday is for loved ones
Very appropriately for the day before Valentine’s Day, today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by two caring people in honor of loved ones. Doris Wunch is honoring her husband, William Goodman, with this sponsor-a-day message: “This Friday, February 13, is my husbands birthday. As a animal lover, he will be honored to share his…
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