Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for October 2008

Rainstorm bravery

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It hadn’t really occurred to me before today, but it hasn’t rained in any significant way since the chimpanzees arrived at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Today it poured.

When J.B. and I heard the playroom erupt in alarm barks, we realized the chimps may have never seen a rainstorm before! We went into the human area and saw the chimpanzees intently staring out the windows upstairs. When the rain started to slow down, some brave chimpanzees began to approach the doorway to the outdoor area.

Missy seemed most curious…

Missy standing in doorway

Annie followed Missy’s lead…

Annie sitting in doorway

It was Jamie who finally ventured outside…

Jamie right before going outside after rain

She immediately came back in to dry her hands…

Jamie drying her hands

And the rest of her…

Jamie putting cloth over head

What a great new experience for everyone!! Missy also took a couple of steps outside. Jamie went back out, wearing the cloth over her head, and Annie remained content sitting in the doorway. The other chimpanzees looked out the windows – maybe next time they’ll decide to go out too.

Sanctuary Fashion

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I was going through some photos last night and I started to pull out those that demonstrate the keen fashion sense of Jamie and Missy.

Here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, we do give out clothing as part of the chimpanzees’ enrichment, and Missy and Jamie in particular occasionally choose to wear things that we give them. It is entirely their choice if they do. It saddens me to see “entertainment chimps” stuffed into uncomfortable clothing in order to produce a laugh for a commercial or a television show, so I hope you’ll recognize the difference and appreciate their own ideas of fashion!

Jamie wearing boa
Jamie wearing boa
Missy wearing sock, pulling blankets
Missy wearing sock, pulling blankets
Jamie lounging, wearing tie
Jamie lounging, wearing tie
Missy wearing tie and slinky
Missy wearing tie and slinky
Jamie wearing a bib she made out of a dishtowel
Jamie wearing a bib she made out of a dishtowel
Missy wearing tie
Missy wearing tie
Jamie wearing crossing guard vest
Jamie wearing crossing guard vest
Missy with sock on arm
Missy with sock on arm

Morning play time

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Jamie is a very active chimpanzee, but she’s generally pretty serious. She’s always working hard on a project of some sort, usually on her own. When she interacts with us, she plays tickle or chase, but until yesterday I had never seen her make a playface (the chimpanzee version of a smile, where they show their bottom teeth and cover their top teeth). Yesterday she made a playface, which was pretty cool to see. But today, it got even better. I heard laughing while Keith and I were cleaning, so I went to see who was having such fun. To my surprise, I saw Jamie and Foxie wrestling, playing tug of war with a broom and a robe, and laughing up a storm. Both had huge playfaces! This was new for Foxie too – we’ve never seen her play-wrestle with any of the other chimps. Here’s to happy chimps!

Keith on the radio SUNDAY

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Keith will be on interviewed on Seattle’s 98.9 kwjz today at 4:30. He is appearing with our friend Yoram Bauman of Comedy Underground to talk about their non-profit comedy benefits and Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest’s upcoming comedy night show on October 7th.

If you’re in the Seattle area and haven’t already RSVP’d for this event, please do so by adding your name to the Evite list. The current one-night record for funds raised at non-profit comedy night is $5,100, raised by Puget Sound Community School – I hope CSNW can make a new record for the Cle Elum Seven!

Update: Looks like the show will be taped and will actually air early Sunday morning on the Public Affairs program. I’ll provide more details as we have them.

Even if you can’t make the show, you can listen to Keith’s interview live on the radio or on kwjz’s website.