While no match for equatorial Africa, living in rural Cle Elum does afford the chimpanzees some interesting experiences. The other day a garter snake made its way into the chimp house, and the chimps let their feelings on the matter be known.
Archives for September 2010
Jody and her sunflower
Diana got some close-up footage the other day of Jody eating a sunflower from our garden. Notice how quickly Jody is able to shell the seeds with her prehensile lips.
Jamie in repose
Our enrichment theme for today is “Jody Day.” Why should Jody have to wait for her birthday to get all of her favorite things? So we put out lots of blankets and straw for nests, cattails, fresh produce from the garden, sunflowers, and buckets of soapy water. All the chimps seemed to enjoy their Jody day. Here’s a picture I snapped of Jamie reclining amidst the straw and cattails. I love how she’s holding up her right elbow with her left foot!
Great way to start the day
One of the things that we stress to our staff and volunteers is that our attitudes have a significant effect on the chimps. We all know from personal experience with friends, family, and coworkers that moods can be contagious, so we try to shake off whatever is bothering us before we go into the chimp house. The last thing the chimps need is for us to bring them down!
It works the other way as well – the chimps can really influence how we feel about our “day at the office”. Some chimps are particularly influential. If Jamie is in a bad mood, we’re in for a rough day, to say the least. But if she’s happy, we’re happy.
For me, there is one individual in particular that has the ability to brighten my morning no matter what side of the bed I wake up on. This morning, as I opened the door to greet the chimps, Foxie was waiting, troll in hand, to launch into a full-on game of “pass the troll” with some flips and spins thrown in. Not a bad way to start the day.
Felicity Day 6
This month’s Felicity Day (the 6th in a series) is from Lue Clifford, Felicity grandmother.
As you know if you’ve been following the blog for a while, for her birthday this year, Felicity Wood asked her loved ones to donate to the sanctuary in honor of her birthday. And they did -we’ve been happily celebrating Felicity day’s since May and donations raised went to our Anniversary Fundraising. Thank you Lue and thank you Felicity for helping to support the care of the Cle Elum Seven!
Happy Felicity Day Six from Jamie, Negra, Jody, Missy, Annie, Foxie and Burrito.
Here’s handsome Burrito to say thanks:
People you love would love to give to your chimpanzee friends in your honor. Just send people this link to the donation form: http://sponsoradayforchimps.kintera.org/ and this link to take a peak at the Sponsor-a-Day calendar: http://chimpsnw.org/you_can_help/donate/#SponsorADay
The Party Police
We sometimes (lovingly) refer to Jamie as “the party police”. It’s as if Jamie doesn’t want anyone to have too much fun, especially not without her. Usually her aggression is directed at the humans, like when we’re playing “pass the troll” with Foxie, but occasionally it’s directed at the other chimps.
Lazy Play
Chimpanzee play isn’t always rambunctious. Here’s a video of Foxie and Jody having a lazy morning play session.
