Snowballs!

The chimpanzees (and humans) woke up to several inches of snow this morning! We started the chimps’ morning by offering them icicles before breakfast, a favorite treat! As I prepared to open the door to Young’s Hill, the chimpanzees all crowded around, food grunting in anticipation of being able to eat some snow. Once the door was open, no one wanted to venture all the way out, but they all sat in the doorway reaching out (and over) one another to grab handfuls of snow. And much to our surprise, Jamie even through a few “snowballs” at caregiver, Debbie, before heading into the greenhouse to enjoy her snack.

Burrito chose a quiet spot by the door to Young’s Hill where he could eat to his heart’s content:

Then for the first time in days, the sun came out! Even Negra left her cozy nest to spend some time in the warmth of the greenhouse and enjoy some snow snacks. Between the excitement of the snow and a bright, sunny morning, the chimpanzees’ moods seemed to all be lifted today. The chimp house was full of laughter, games, and food grunts all morning. After we cleaned the playroom we filled the chimpanzees’ wading pool and some buckets with snow and sprinkled it with some seeds and dried fruit for their morning forage.

Annie enjoyed several mouthfuls of snow. I don’t know how she kept from getting “freeze brain.”

While most of humans are not usually too happy to see snow, I am so glad it provided some great enrichment and an exciting day for my chimpanzee friends.