Posts by Elizabeth
Chimpanzees chewing
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of watching the chimpanzees eat. They chew as if no one is watching.
Read MorePlay Bows
Play bows are one of my favorite behaviors in a chimpanzee’s repertoire. They’re used to initiate play, and they’re almost always effective. This short video was taken a few years ago. You’ll see Foxie use a play bow to get Negra to play with her. These photos were taken this afternoon in the greenhouse when…
Read MoreJody: A Dichotomy
When I’m describing Jody’s personality to new chimp house volunteers, I often say that she’s a totally endearing combination of vulnerable and intimidating. If she thinks you have wronged her in some way, she will not hesitate to tell you so with a mouthful of water in your face. If she’s feeling feisty or on…
Read MoreCelebrating Freedom
The Cle Elum Seven are celebrating freedom today! Not long ago, they spent their holidays in lab cages. Today they foraged on Young’s Hill, lounged in the warm greenhouse, and played with friends. We kicked off the day with a party in the greenhouse this morning. Volunteer caregivers Denice and Patti brought food and decorations.…
Read MoreToo hot
Cle Elum is in the middle of a heatwave, and the high temperatures are sapping everyone’s energy (we couldn’t even convince Jamie to walk around Young’s Hill with us, and that’s usually a many-times-a-day activity). I think Burrito speaks for all of us in these photos taken in the greenhouse this afternoon.
Read MoreCelebrating 5 years of sanctuary and a very special birthday
Today has been an incredible day. We’re so moved to see all the love for the Cle Elum Seven as the Give Five donations keep rolling in. As of right now, we’ve raised $10,550 toward our summer goal of $35,000! We’re asking for just $5 as a pledge of support for the chimps and the…
Read MoreNegra’s Journey
One week from today, we will celebrate Negra’s 40th birthday and CSNW’s 5 year anniversary. Due to incomplete lab records, we don’t know Negra’s actual date of birth. To honor her status as the Queen of the Cle Elum Seven, we celebrate her birthday on June 13, the anniversary of the chimpanzees’ arrival to the…
Read MoreIntroducing Lisa
The CSNW human family continues to grow! Lisa Schuster is our newest part-time staff caregiver. Lisa has been in the chimpanzees’ lives for a few years now as a volunteer caregiver, and she is universally adored. Jody is overjoyed about Lisa’s new job (Lisa might by Jody’s favorite human ever), and Jamie always appreciates Lisa’s…
Read MoreHonoring Jody and All Mothers
Mother’s Day at CSNW is always bittersweet (see J.B.’s fantastic blog post on this topic here). In addition to honoring motherhood, we celebrate Jody’s birthday on this holiday in tribute to the nine babies she had during her time in laboratories. Unfortunately, Jody (like most lab chimp moms) wasn’t allowed to raise her babies; they…
Read MoreNesting in the Bamboo
We planted some bamboo in the greenhouse this morning. Since chimpanzees are naturally curious and destructive, the plants might not last long, but for now everyone’s leaving them alone for the most part. Jody, however, thinks they make prime nesting material. Thanks so much to ProVitro Biosciences for the bamboo!
Read MoreCinco de Mayo
Volunteer caregiver Stephanie throws the best parties for the chimpanzees, and today was no different. She showed up for her volunteer shift this morning with her arms full of pinatas (nine of them!), plastic margarita glasses, and lots of fresh produce for a Cinco de Mayo party. We filled the margarita glasses with fruit smoothie…
Read MoreHappy Birthday, Talia!
William Wright sponsored today for Talia Silveri’s birthday. William says: “Talia loves all the chimps at CSNW and wants to share her birthday love with her favorite animal friends!” Happy birthday, Talia! We hope your day is full of surprises.
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