Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for February 2012

Happy Love Day

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The chimps and humans have had a fabulous Valentine’s Day around here. We started the day with roses for breakfast, then had a party with strawberries, tons of new toys, pinatas stuffed with nuts and berries (and beads for Mr. B), a TON more roses, and lots of red decor. Then the humans took a little break to celebrate with chocolate, strawberries, and vegan whipped cream. So delicious! Thanks so much to all who helped make this day (and all the days around here) so great, including everyone who bought gifts through our holiday store, Robbi and Dick for the always amazing goodie bags, volunteers Stephanie and Katelyn for arriving with a total bonanza, and Seana for going above and beyond with the streamers. Here are a few of my favorite pics of the day (with thanks to Jackie for her photography skills).

Annie with a pinata:

Missy chowing down on a rose:

Jamie writing some love notes:

Foxie snuggling one of MANY new dolls she got today:

Burrito feasting on some rice and peppers for lunch:

 

Today is for you, Steph!

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Today was sponsored in honor of chimp house volunteer Stephanie Perciful’s birthday by her husband Tim.  It is somewhat appropriate that Steph’s birthday falls on this day of love because she is one of the most generous and joyful people you could hope to meet.  (Proof: She arrived at the chimp house this morning for her volunteer shift with armfuls of gifts for the chimps and a big smile.)  Steph is one of a handful of volunteers who have trained to become caregivers and provide direct care to the chimpanzees, and they just adore her (especially Burrito).

Happy Birthday, Steph!

Spiderweb Day

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Today Jackie and I set up a giant spiderweb in the playroom with some ribbon and crepe paper. Foxie was pretty entertained! She spent at least 45 minutes pulling and slapping the web.

 



 

Napping

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Negra is the queen of many things, including getting cozy. Here she is snuggled up on one of the benches high up in a front room.

 
Negra under blanket in front room

 

She actually got around quite a bit today – mostly moving from one napping place to another. In this photo Negra is in front of a window on the catwalk of the playroom – one of her favorite spots. I got up on a ladder to take the photo:

 
Negra under orange blanket

 

Jamie used the afternoon to siesta in the greenhouse. I climbed a ladder to get the photo below too. In their natural habitats, chimpanzees almost always sleep in the trees high off the ground. Most chimpanzees in captivity also prefer to be up high when they sleep.

I love the bits of lighter skin on Jamie’s eyelids in this photo:

 
close up of Jamie with eyes closed

Simultaneous silliness

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I was in the kitchen yesterday preparing the chimps’ lunch when I heard lots of laughter echoing throughout the playroom. When I went in to check it out, I was bombarded by simultaneous silliness, but not with your usual cast of characters…