Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for October 2009

Workin workin

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Today we’re under construction! We broke ground on our greenhouse project (enclosing the outdoor area in a removable greenhouse so that the chimps can use that space more in the winter months) and we’re replacing one of our pneumatic doors with a clear glass window. That means that the chimps are closed in the front rooms only today, so we’ve been busy entertaining them. Right now, Burrito is watching a video. Jamie just finished some art projects, after watching Jackie paint the wall in the playroom. Missy is eager to play (as always!) and I just got done playing chase with her. Negra and Jody have been nesting all day and Foxie has been busy playing with her trolls. Earlier Missy lifted Annie off her feet in a game of wrestle! We’ve had raisin boards and seed forages and all kinds of healthy treats.

Here are some photos of the work in progress. First, here’s Matt Poppoff working on the concrete prep for the greenhouse. It’s a yucky rainy day so we’re especially grateful to Matt and Poppoff Inc for helping out today.

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Getting ready to take the door out:

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It’s out!

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The window is installed in this picture, though it’s so clear you can’t even see it:

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And here are some pics of the chimps. Missy working on a raisin board:

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Jamie with her raisin board:

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Fun with yarn

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In many biomedical labs, chimps don’t get any enrichment (i.e. blankets, toys, etc.). It’s hard to imagine spending 30+ years without anything to pass the time, when something as simple as a ball of yarn can keep Burrito and Jamie busy for hours.

Mystery gifts

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Our supporters have been very generous with gifts of material goods, particularly the items listed on our Amazon Wish List. Unfortunately, we occasionally receive these in-kind gifts without any donor information included. This seems to occur more often with purchases from Amazon that go through a 3rd party vendor.

So, if you have sent a gift to CSNW and have not received acknowledgment from us within 4-6 weeks, please email me at [email protected]. We are very grateful and we would love to thank you personally!

Laughter

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The seven chimpanzees living at CSNW are the most playful group I’ve ever met. You would think they were kids the way they play and laugh. As all of you who follow the blog know, Foxie in particular has a kid-like disposition (at least she does now that she’s in sanctuary!) Jamie, on the other hand, can often be very serious. But Foxie is able to bring out the kid in Jamie too, as you’ll see in the video below.

One interesting thing that we’ve observed is that the chimpanzees seem to play wrestle more in the front rooms than any other location within the building. Perhaps it feels like a more private location for wrestling?

Isa Moskowitz, chef for the chimpanzees?

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The Apron Activists benefit dinner on Friday in Portland was fantastic! But you don’t have to take my word for it, the Cle Elum Seven benefited from some of the leftover Butternut Rissoto (complete with cashew creme, roasted brussels sprouts and toasted hazelnuts). The chimps food grunted like crazy and licked the bowls clean – only slightly different than what the humans did at the benefit dinner. Thank you Isa Moskowitz and all of the Apron Activists!