Ducks, Beavers and chimps...all in one place

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Oregon and Oregon State fans get together to watch football and help animal sanctuary. By Katie Brauns The Bulletin

The usually peaceful Chimps Incorporated sanctuary north of Bend was a zoo on Saturday night.

A collection of Ducks, Beavers, and some humans claiming to be monkeys filled the heated barn on Hooker Creek Ranch. Some 200 college football fans gathered to watch on big-screen TVs the much-anticipated Civil War match - Oregon State Beavers versus Oregon Ducks. (The "monkeys" in attendance were fans wearing said animal hats fashioned to look like monkey heads with bright red tongues. Those monkeys were neutral on the game's outcome.)

"I think its' great," said Bob McClung. of Sunriver, who sat with a group of co-workers. "I mean, if you can sit here and have fun in a good situation and you're supporting the chimps, it's what we should be doing.

We have members over here that are Ducks in our group," added McClung, a Beaver fan. "But we all wear monkey hats so we can stay in between."

Saturday's Civil War showing was a fundraiser for Chimps Incorporated, a refuge for chimpanzees and other mistreated mammals.

While the scene remained under control in the dimly lit barn, boos and cheers could be heard simultaneously from the gathering during some major plays, like when Oregon running back, Jeremiah Johnson, charged 83 yards to score a touchdown late in the second quarter, or when Oregon State's Shane Morales went for his first touchdown of the evening after he grabbed a pass with 9 seconds left in the first half.

There wasn't a still body in the house.

Three large projector screens showing the in-state rivalry game surrounded the audience, members of which - when they were not jumping up and cheering - were seated at the numerous round tables in the center of the barn.

Chatter from the TV commentators rose and fell with each intense play at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. One commentator noted that an Oregon family with four children may be divided between the two schools: two Oregon, two Oregon State. The mixture was present in Saturday's Chimps Inc. crowd. Fans of opposing teams mingled at the same table, dining together and watching the two teams struggle and shine, struggle and shine.

"We have a mixed crowd, but they all get along," noted Chips Inc. founder and proprietor Lesley Day. "I thought because of the economy this year that we would be down in numbers. But as you can see I don't think we are at all."

The big-screen televised event is an annual fundraiser for Chimps Inc., a nonprofit wildlife sanctuary dedicated to furthering chimpanzee conservation through education. it was founded by Day in 1995 in response to help captive chimpanzees in need of homes. The private sanctuary provides a place of refuge for those apes that have come from roadside zoos, the entertainment industry and the private sector. The facility currently hoses eight chimpanzees and two Siberian lynx.

The sanctuary is open to the public twice a year, once in the summer for members of Chimps Inc., and once in late autumn for the televised Civil War football game.

"The big part, too, is that we have the tour of the chimps," explains Paula Muellner, of Bend, Chimps Inc. executive director. "We're not open to the public, so this is maybe once or twice out of the year that people can see the chimpanzees, which are really the only ones in Central Oregon. A lot of people come here to see the chimps ad support the chimps."

As Muellner retreated into the crowd to distribute raffle tickets, her parting words were, "Go Beavers!"

"The rivalry is more important than anything else you are playing for," said Brian Baker, of Sunriver, who said he is a Duck fan...most of the time. "It doesn't matter whether you are going to the Rose Bowl or another bowl, it's for the bragging rights of the state."

"If the Ducks weren't playing the Beavers, I would root for the Beavers," he added. "But for Civil War I have to root for the Ducks."

"We're here for the chimps said Beaver fan Beth Good, of Sisters. "And my son goes to Oregon State."

"I went to Oregon State a hundred years ago," joked Marcia Tripiano, 67, of Sisters. "But I came to support the chimps."

those in attendance paid $55 apiece for admission. More than a dozen vendors donated goods and volunteer hours for the silent and live auctions at Saturday's event. And a raffle for the donated items raised funds as well.

In 2007, the Civil War event at Chimps Inc. raised $37,000. This year the organization raked in an estimated $35,000 or more, which will go toward the upkeep of the elaborate sanctuary. The grounds include two indoor facilities for all the chimpanzees, an open-air outdoor enclosure on one acre and two other outdoor cages with numerous levels to climb.

"It was very successful," said Day. "But we won't know the exact amount of proceeds for another week."

The fundraising even, now in its eighth year, continues to grow, according to day.

"You can stay warm and not have to drive over the hill and sit in the rain," noted Day. "This is the place to be!" Chimps Inc. would like to thank all of it's sponsors for making for another successful fundraiser!



Chimps Inc. truly values the support and friendship of those who participate in this unique celebration of our sanctuary. We hope to see you all next year!