Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for October 2008

Play, play, play

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I don’t know what it was – the weather, the shed being built, or new-found stardom for the Cle Elum Seven, but the chimpanzees were SO playful today. Jamie was sporting a shirt and her tutu for most of the day, and I saw each of the chimpanzees playing at some point. I was able to catch a few photos. The one of Jamie hanging is so precious to me – she reminds me of a little girl. Of course, she’s not a little girl – she’s ony a few years younger than me, but perhaps today, for whatever reason, she felt young again. (For a bit of background on the chimpanzees wearing clothing, please see this blog post).

Missy and Annie with big playfaces Missy and Annie with big playfaces
Jamie playing by herself
Jamie and Foxie playing - in style and with trollJamie and Foxie playing – in style and with troll

Behold the shed

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Convenient storage (for blankets, enrichment, etc) is at a serious premium at the sanctuary. So, we are really, really excited about the donated shed being built today! Jim (who donated all of the materials and carpentry skills) and Brian are spending the day working on constructing it right outside the kitchen of the sanctuary building. They couldn’t have picked a nicer day to work outside.

I doubt the chimpanzees were excited about the shed, but they sure were in good moods today – I’ll post some photos of them playing after I serve dinner 🙂

Jim and Brian constructing new shed
Jim and Brian constructing new shed

Jody changing

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Welcome to new blog readers! We are so excited about the ABC coverage that brought you here! To get you up to speed, I hope that you have perused the blog and learned about the wonderful Cle Elum Seven and their growing human family of supporters.

We have periodically been posting some “then” and “now” photos of the chimpanzees to show how quickly they are changing, and I thought it would be appropriate to post another one of these today as so many new folks view the blog. I think that Jody’s physical improvements have been the most dramatic. What do you think?

Jody on day one at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, after decades in research.
Jody on day one at the sanctuary, after decades in research.
Jody a few days ago outside.
Jody, taken a few days ago outside, after four months of sanctuary life at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

See your chimpanzee family on ABC World News tonight!!!

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I know regular blog readers have been waiting for this announcement with great anticipation. And here it is!

Here’s what we know: the segment will air on ABC World News with Charles Gibson, which begins at 6:30EST and 5:30 PST. Please check your local stations.

We’re so excited to see the Cle Elum Seven on national television!

UPDATE: you can watch the segment online here: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6043780

Tool Use

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Decades ago, some scientists thought that the ability to make and use tools was what set humans apart from our fellow animals. When Jane Goodall reported to her mentor, Dr. Louis Leakey, that she had seen a chimpanzee named David Greybeard make and use a termite fishing tool at Gombe, he responded with the very famous telegram: “Now we must redefine tool, redefine Man, or accept chimpanzees as humans.” I wonder what he’d say if he could see this this video of Jamie. Can you imagine anyone thinking it’s okay to use these relatives of ours in invasive biomedical research?

Jody

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I’ve been trying for a while now to do a post on Jody. She is pretty camera shy! Today I snapped a picture of her outside enjoying the sun. Even though we don’t write about her as often as the others, she is a very special chimpanzee. For example:

1. She lets us know when she does not like our door opening/closing techniques, often by spitting a mouthful of water on us.

2. She “mothers” stuffed animals. Not as much as Foxie and her troll babies, but she is often seen snuggling up to a baby monkey or Elmo.

3. She has no time for silly things like playing chase or tug of war. She is much more interested in relaxing. And she deserves it after so many years of “service!”

4. She spends a lot of time grooming with the other chimpanzees. Today she and Foxie were out on the deck grooming away.

5. She often guides the other chimpanzees in for meals. Tonight Foxie was a little hesitant to come inside, perhaps in part because everyone was very excited (and noisy and rowdy and rambunctious) for dinner. Jody waited with Foxie until Foxie seemed ready to come in, and then followed right behind her. She does this for Negra and Annie too.

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