Today at the end of our staff meeting, Jamie started stomping in the playroom loft. As we’ve figured out, this seems to mean “please put on one of my boots and chase me around the hill.” We thought it would be fun if we ALL played this game with her. As we all started walking out there, Jamie’s hair stood straight on end and she ran so fast out to meet us—she was so excited! It was a lot of fun, and probably the best staff meeting we’ve ever had. I think Jamie would agree.
Archives for March 2013
Chimps’ Choice- “Once Again” Peanut Butter
The Cle Elum Seven absolutely love peanut butter. We have traditionally purchased large containers of Adam’s Peanut Butter at Costco, however we are trying to steer clear of salt, especially with Burrito’s heart condition. So, we found a new (to me) brand that comes in 9lb tubs on Amazon called “Once Again”. I’ve added it to our wishlist. Even though we use peanut butter for all sorts of things, I think 9lbs will last us a pretty long time so we only need one tub for now but I thought I would make it a challenge for you! The first person to purchase it will receive a special package from me, which will include a photo of the chimp of your choice. Check out our wishlist (http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=wish_list) and be sure to email me ([email protected]) to let me know your chimp preference!
Annie licking peanut butter out of a kong, one of the Cle Elum Seven’s favorite activities:
Jamie licking the peanut butter off of a celery stick:
Missy using a tool to fish peanut butter out of the tubes in the treat rock:
Jody cleaning the last bit out of a plastic peanut butter jar:
Happenings on the hill
We’ve had a fun day on Young’s Hill today. JB installed the sign on Negra’s Cabin, and of course Jamie had to inspect JB’s handiwork:
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Finding no problems, Jamie went on to have a great time with good friend Foxie. First they played chase all over the Hill, then they played chase through the cabin panels:
Then Jamie ushered Foxie along a stroll around the Hill:
And when it was time to come in to the greenhouse for lunch, Jamie shared her excitement with a kiss:
Breakfast al fresco
We posted this morning that supporter Vicky Miller sponsored today for the chimpanzees. To celebrate Vicky’s day, and to take advantage of today’s beautiful sunny weather, we set up a breakfast forage in the greenhouse. Meals at CSNW are served in one of two ways: a caregiver can serve food to one chimp at a time through the fencing (like this), or we can scatter a food forage in the chimps’ enclosure. The chimps really love forages, and we love them too because we’re always looking for ways to encourage the chimps to express species-specific behavior (basically, letting the chimps do what chimps do naturally). This morning’s forage consisted of some favorites: fresh pineapple and pears, peanuts, and fruit smoothie in Dixie cups.
Missy:
Jamie:
Foxie:
Thanks again to Vicky for making this day special!
In Memory of Richard Miller and Dakota
Vicky Miller sponsored today “in memory of my dad and sweet dog who died this day in 1999. Forever in my heart.”
Thanks, Vicky, for thinking of the chimpanzees while honoring your loved ones.
Messing with the GoPro
As Diana mentioned yesterday, the weather has (off and on) been incredible the last week or so! Yesterday it actually got up to 60 degrees (!) but then there was snow on the ground this morning. So, we really have to take advantage of good weather when we have it. J.B. and Diana set up a forage on Young’s Hill yesterday and put the GoPro camera in it’s mount. As I was reviewing the footage this morning, I discovered Foxie and Jamie had a little post-forage project – to get to the bottom of this whole GoPro thing, once and for all!
full mouths, happy bellies
We’ve been taken every opportunity with the not-bad weather to spread food over Young’s Hill so the chimpanzees can forage for their meals. They LOVE forages, and it’s nice to see them doing a little bit of what they would do if they lived in the wild. Of course, free-living chimpanzees rely on the bounty of nature to provide their meals. At the sanctuary, the Cle Elum Seven rely on the humans to provide their food. Their food squeaks and full mouths are an indication that we’re doing an okay job.
This morning we spread out a breakfast forage of strawberries, grapefruit, and chow biscuits.
Here’s Jamie collecting strawberries:
Burrito eating some grapefruit while on the move to find more:
Annie and Jamie checking the shakey bridge for food:
Missy found the stash in the cabin:
Annie put an impossible number of chow biscuits in her mouth, then attempted to also eat strawberries:
