Archive for December, 2008

What a year!

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

Thanks so much to everyone for making this a year to remember for the Cle Elum Seven! Here are some top moments of 2008. Be sure to share your lists in the comments!

June 13, 2008: The day the chimps arrived at CSNW. I still remember the flutter I had in my belly when the chimps’ trailer backed up the driveway! Best flutter ever.

August 26, 2008: The chimps’ first day outside. Negra, who probably hadn’t walked on dirt since she was captured from the wild, was the last to join us in the sunshine. Fitting for the queen! And who could forget how excited Burrito was? Missy’s giant playface made us all laugh and cry.

December 13, 2008: First snow. The chimps love it (especially as a snack)!

Jamie’s art: Jamie has such an active imagination. Knowing her now, it’s hard to imagine how her spirit survived being locked up in a tiny cage all those years. We’re so proud to be able to let her express her creativity!

 

Foxie’s trolls: Today, Foxie is a total goof of a sweatheart who is always – ALWAYS – up for play. We credit her adopting of Trixie (her first troll) as having at least a little something to do with her transformation into such a happy girl.

Burrito’s first display: I remember the first time I saw Burrito do a full display here at CSNW. What a joy to see him finally be able to show off like a big man.

Negra’s blankets: I never get tired of the view of Negra sleeping in her nest, head covered, when I first arrive in the morning. Every day it’s a privilege to see!

Annie and Missy’s endless games of chase: These two are inseperable best friends! We love to see them running through the playroom and then out the door to the outdoor area, chasing and laughing as they go. And of course, when they’re wearing socks (on hands or feet) they are even more silly!

Jody’s masterful nest in the tractor tire outside: Jody knows how to relax in comfort and style!

OH! And happy birthday to Margaret! We love you!

Burrito’s Birthday Bash?

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

Shelly Campbell emailed earlier today with a great notion – if everyone who regularly reads the blog gave a few bucks towards Burrito’s birthday, we could throw him one heck of a party. There’s not much time – his birthday is January 6th. Shelly’s already mailed a check for $10. If anyone’s interested in contributing toward the Burrito Birthday fund, you can donate online or by mail (PO Box 952, Cle Elum, WA 98922). If you want, you can respond to this post and let us know you’re sending some celebratory funds this way. We will, of course, share the party with you. Burrito cannot contain his excitement, and we’re sure to get some great footage of the birthday boy in action.

I know Burrito has a big fan club out there – he’s a pretty loveable guy. Even his chimpanzee friends would agree (below is a photo from today of Missy grooming him, with Annie looking on).

and don’t forget you can get note cards with Burrito’s handsome face (see below) in our store

Mirror!

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

Some lovely folks on the forum got together and raised enough money for us to purchase a big acrylic mirror for the chimps. We haven’t mounted it yet, but we’ve been propping it up so the chimps can see themselves – their whole selves! Michelle in Alaska just purchased a second one for us!! I can’t wait to mount them! Below is a photo of Jody from today checking out her mouth.

Jamie in the doorway

Sunday, December 28th, 2008

Jamie doesn’t seem to like being out in the snow, but she does like to hang out in the doorway. Here she is in the doorway yesterday, using a scrub brush to scoop the snow into her cup. After I took this video I went inside to get her a better tool – I called from inside “Jamie come get a spoon!” She came running in to get it from me and then went right back to the doorway with it.

Watching a movie while eating snow

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

Here is Burrito watching his current favorite movie while snacking on some snow. The narrators in the film are talking about what chimpanzees eat. Foxie and Jody are in the background and Negra makes an appearance at the end. If you go directly to our You Tube page, you can choose to watch the video in high quality.

More photos of big day

Friday, December 26th, 2008

This new orange toothbrush and the blocks were some of Burrito’s favorite gifts. He still had the toothbrush this morning.

You all know that chimpanzees are destructive. This is the fate of most non-troll dolls and stuffed animals in Foxie’s hands… she does enjoy the destruction process!

These wreaths, which had nuts and cranberries attached, were a big hit with Jody and everyone else.

Chimp lips are pretty expressive, and Negra has some big lips to be expressive with. This photo just caught her with an “in-between” facial expressions face.

Watching videos

Thursday, December 25th, 2008

Here is a video of (from left to right) Jody, Burrito and Foxie watching the “all about chimpanzees” video yesterday.

Holiday celebration with the Cle Elum Seven

Thursday, December 25th, 2008

Happy Holidays from the Cle Elum Seven. They thank you for all of the gifts, wishes, and support! It was a great day full of gifts, goodies and gratitude. Lots of photographic proof below:

Burrito with gift bag

Burrito using his foot to help open a gift box

Foxie, a blur with her new big pink-haired troll

and with her special Mrs. Claus troll

Jamie investigating a purse full of gifts

Jody deciding that the decorations are as much fun as the toys

plus you can wear them!

Missy surrounded by gifts

Negra in Christmas sun – it was sunny all day!

Annie with handfuls of Field Roast and mashed potatoes

Jody getting full on mashed potatoes, carrots and celery

Missy with a cup full of cranberry sauce and a piece of Field Roast

Negra, from behind, with Field Roast

Burrito loves mashed potatoes!

And watching their new TV!!! We showed them “all about chimpanzees” Burrito was mesmerized. He watched it about seven times.

Jody and Foxie were also really interested. Here’s Jody’s reaction

Happy Holidays to all from the CCCs!

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

(Note: This a message and photos from the enrichment party a few weeks ago!)

It’s been so great this year for all of us to have been drawn together by such a wonderful group of chimp people!

So take a little time this season to indulge your inner chimp -

  • grunt happily for good fod
  • make a mess and enjoy every minute of it
  • hug and kiss god friends
  • spray water on your neigbors
  • adopt a troll (or a dozen)
  • unselfconsciously wear a tutu
  • run thru the house wreaking havoc all the while looking totally innocent
  • try a backflip (!?!) with total abandon out of sheer joy

And thank our ape brothers and sisters for their lessons about resilience and what’s really important in life!

To everyone out there have a -

Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukah
Great New Year
and a swift return of the light!!!

Best photo of 2008

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

A photo of Foxie’s fingers is one of the Yakima Herald Republic’s best photos of 2008! Photographer Kris Holland and reporter Jean Guerrero came out to the sanctuary only a couple of weeks after the  Cle Elum Seven arrived in June. Jean wrote a really great article and Kris took some fantastic photos. Below is the photo of Foxie’s hand that made the year-end cut.

And this is my personal favorite photo of 2008 (Missy eating frozen watermelon), not coincidentally also by Kris Holland – he’s a really good photographer!