The Chimpanzees

Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy, and Negra--the Cle Elum Seven--are the first residents of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (CSNW). They traveled across the country from a laboratory in Pennsylvania and arrived at CSNW on June 13, 2008. For the majority of their lives, they were used by the biomedical research industry for Hepatitis vaccine trials and to breed more chimpanzees for biomedical research. For the last several years, before coming to sanctuary, the chimpanzees were housed in a windowless basement of a laboratory with no access to the outdoors.

Please also visit our blog for frequently updated stories, photos and video. Consider making a donation today toward the care of the Cle Elum Seven. A donation of $20/month or a single donation of $240 makes you eligible to sponser a chimpanzee through our Chimpanzee Pal program.

Read Foxie's Story

	ANNIE, born 1974, possibly in the wild. In addition to being used for Hepatitis vaccine studies, Annie had five babies during her years in biomedical research, all of them taken from her and put into research themselves. Annie is a curious chimpanzee who allows others in the group to take leadership. At the sanctuary she enjoys eating fresh vegetables, especially green onions, which she will eat by the handful. Her favorite activity seems to be playing with her best friend Missy. Annie also enjoys lying down in the elaborate beds that she and Missy make. They often lie down near each other to nap.
	BURRITO, born 1983 in a laboratory. Burrito is the youngest chimpanzee and the only male of the group of seven at CSNW. Burrito was kept in a human home during his toddler years, was leased to an “animal act” for two years, then returned to a laboratory where he was used in Hepatitis vaccine research. Like most male chimpanzees, Burrito has quite an impressive “display” - he stands up bipedally and makes himself look large, then finds something to bang on as he runs around. The female chimpanzees get out of his way when he is displaying, and seem to be taking him more seriously now that his displays are amplified in the larger space of the sanctuary. Burrito cannot get enough of all of the food at the sanctuary - he is excited about everything that is offered to him.
	FOXIE, born 1976 in captivity. Foxie is very curious and watchful, and is careful and deliberate in her movements. She can take a little while to warm up to new people, but is quite playful once she has decided to trust a person. Of her chimpanzee family, she spends the most time with Burrito. She and Burrito can often be found quietly grooming each other. Prior to her sanctuary life, Foxie was used in Hepatitis vaccine research and as a breeder for the biomedical research industry. Foxie had five babies during her years in biomedical research, including a set of twins. All of her children were taken away from her when they were very young - sometimes just days old. Foxie adopted a doll to care for at the sanctuary - a Troll doll with bright pink hair. Read Foxie's Story
	JAMIE, born 1977 in captivity. Jamie is extremely intelligent. She stays busy by using the toys and other objects that are provided at the sanctuary. She is very interested in what the humans are doing and monitors the window to the kitchen as meals are being prepared for the chimpanzees. It is difficult to imagine how she survived the years of boredom and fear in biomedical research. The exception to her normally calm demeanor is when fruit is being served at meal times. She loves fruit and wants it all for herself, sometimes causing quite a scene if other chimpanzees have taken some. Her chimpanzee family members have learned to manage Jamie’s possessiveness and generally let her have what she wants. She is particularly good friends with Missy, Foxie, Burrito and Jody and frequently plays games of chase with them.
	JODY, born 1975 in captivity. Jody was used primarily for breeding during her years of use by the biomedical research industry, and had a total of seven babies during this time. In between her pregnancies, the industry managed to also use her in Hepatitis vaccine research. Jody enthusiastically greets her sanctuary caregivers in the morning and likes to be gently groomed by them. She is thought to be the second in command next to Negra and the other chimpanzees treat her with deference and respect. Jody likes to make nests out of the blankets, sheets, clothes, and magazines that are provided to her at the sanctuary. In fact, she gathers as many of these as she can find and makes huge nests—sometimes with fifteen or more blankets at a time.
	MISSY, born 1975 in captivity. Missy had four babies during her years as a biomedical research subject. She was also used for Hepatitis vaccine research. Missy has such a playful spirit, it is easy to imagine her playing with her young children. Unfortunately, she never had the chance to do this as they were all taken from her when they were merely infants. At the sanctuary, she is making up for lost time and spends hours each day playing with enrichment objects, humans and other chimpanzees. Missy likes to play games of tug-of-war with her human caregivers and chase with her chimpanzee companions. She and Annie are best friends and are often seen playing and relaxing together at the sanctuary.
	NEGRA, born 1973 in the wild. Negra began her life in the forests of Africa and was captured there as an infant. The majority of her 30+ years have been spent in biomedical research laboratories. She was used in Hepatitis vaccine research and as a “breeder.” She is a strong individual with a unique personality and has been called the queen of the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees. Negra enjoys the sheets and blankets that are provided to her at the sanctuary and she has a nightly ritual of sitting up on a ledge and completely covering herself with a blanket. She stays like this for a few minutes, then peeks her face out so that the blanket is wrapped around her body and head like a hooded poncho.