Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Archives for September 2011

Day Two

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I would never have guessed in a million years that Burrito would be this comfortable hanging out on Young’s Hill. He is walking around like he owns the place!

Jamie spent the day today checking things out, while Missy is just kicking back and relaxing on top of the structures and in her hammock.

Despite the fact that everyone went out yesterday, some have shown more caution today. Negra has been out twice, but not very far and not for long. Jody came out briefly but was not ready to let her guard down. And Foxie and Annie have yet to venture back out.

Yesterday was a complete surprise. Today is more like what we expected. This is a huge change in their lives, and they will each become comfortable with it in their own time and on their own terms. I don’t think it will take them very long.

Burrito
Jamie
Missy
Missy

 

Out and About

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I know you all are waiting and want an update with video. We had media crews out today and we are going to wait until they air their story before sharing videos, so we’re not scooping them. I’ll let you know as soon as I do when that might be. It won’t be before late tomorrow at the earliest. I’m sure you will agree it’s worth the wait in order to see the chimps on national television.

All of the chimps ventured out. Foxie walked the entire perimeter of the enclosure, then went inside. Jamie explored all of the climbing structures, Burrito seems quite comfortable out there, Jody went out but is a little hesitant, Missy ran through her tunnel a few times and has been carrying a frozen watermelon in and out, Negra was really happy about the lettuce and just chowed down, Annie went in the hammock and has probably spent the most time of anyone out there.

So, here are a couple of photos. More written updates to come!

 

Negra enjoying her lettuce

Negra on the hill eating lettuce

 

Annie & Missy – friends on Young’s Hill

Missy and Annie on the hill

Today is the day

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I can’t believe today is the day we get to see our chimpanzee friends step on grass for the first time.

Yesterday I looked at the 5′ x 3′ cage we have on the property. They lived in cages that size for decades. It’s impossible to put into words the sadness that small cage evokes. Then I looked at the 2 acre hill.

It might be a little scary for them at first, but the chimps are definitely ready for us to open the doors to the next chapter in their lives and put their pasts further behind them. We plan to set up a large lunch forage for them and open the doors around 11:00 (pacific time).

Its been heartwarming to see all of the posts that people have been sharing about the news on Facebook. It’s a privilege to be part of such a great community of people who care about chimpanzees and are as excited as we are to see the Cle Elum Seven step onto that hill.

A lot of people have been sharing the Young’s Hill video that Jonathan Houser made just a year ago when we were raising funds for the hill at our 2010 auction. I’ve included it below.

Young’s Hill – The Dream from Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest on Vimeo.

 

Thank you all.

Did you hear the NEWS??

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Tomorrow is the big day! We are all freaking out (in a good way). The chimps are ready, we’re ready and we know you are ready to see them out on the hill.

See the announcement about the big day.

Today, the final touches were put on the hill, including the concrete on what we are now calling the Treat Rock, which mimics a termite mound where the chimps can “fish” for treats we place in pipes mounted in the rock.

treat rock in construction

Sunflowers

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It’s that time of year again! It’s been a pretty cloudy, raining day here at the sanctuary, so I gave the chimps a little something from the garden to brighten up the day. The chimps really seem to enjoy picking all the petals off and then munching on the seeds. Burrito and Foxie weren’t too into it, but everyone else was pretty excited. I wasn’t able to get a good picture of Jody because she quickly took hers inside to munch on in her nest- smart woman!

Jamie:

Missy:

Negra under her blanket:

Annie:

A Little Bit of Burrito in Your Life

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I was looking through some photos from last month and came across two of Burrito that I had to share

burrito biting log

 

 

Look closely at the one below – he’s hugging a coconut.

burrito hugging coconut

 

Burrito is featured on this year’s special label wine – only available at the 2011 Out of the Box auction in Seattle! Get your tickets quick!

Laughing

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As many of our regular blog readers know, Annie is coming out of her shell more and more. We’ve seen her become more confident and play with chimps other than Missy. Foxie seems to be someone she likes to play with, and the other day I caught them in an intense wrestling match. Their laughter was amazing! It really makes me smile so much when I think about how much Annie and the other chimps have all changed since their arrival to the sanctuary over 3 years ago. I can’t wait to see what other changes we might see in the chimps’ personalities after Young’s Hill opens!

Speaking of the ever-changing chimps, in this clip, you’ll see Annie and Foxie playing with Foxie’s new doll that I mentioned on her Facebook page. This is not a troll doll, and although it resembles a troll, it’s still great to see her expanding her usual very narrow focus on “enrichment objects worth interacting with.” As seen in this blog from just a few days ago, Foxie is well on her way to making nests with blankets! Like I said above, it’s amazing to see how the chimps have all changed and keep on changing.