It seems as though the weather has been constant snow for the past couple of days here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. While this certainly makes for a beautiful landscape and, of course, tasty chimpanzee treats, I do think the chimpanzees might be experiencing a little bit of chimp house fever. It’s not that they physically can’t go out; the door to Young’s Hill has been open daily. But the snow just keeps piling up and, well, what kind of choice is that?! So it falls on us, the caregivers, to come up with ever more enriching entertainment for our chimpanzee friends. Some ideas are a hit and others a miss but I have had moderate success recently.
Yesterday, I put a bucket on my head in an attempt to entertain Foxie & Burrito. Neither of them seemed very impressed but Missy suddenly jumped up from her nest in the loft and ran full speed right over to where I was standing. She vigorously head-nodded to solicit a game of chase from my bucket wearing self. I happily complied!
Today, Jamie was adamantly demanding something from the kitchen. Usually this means she’d like one of her boots, sometimes it leads to a walk around the hill and other times to a grooming session. Today, no matter what boot I held up for her inspection she seemed frustrated. Finally, I grabbed the entire bin of boots, brought it out and set it down next to the caging. Apparently this was satisfactory. I guess some days you just need all the boots for your nest.
What a challenge! Snow country with rain forest chimps must be very, very demanding, especially since they are so used to going out on the hill. I hope the snow stops soon so that you will once again get some relief as caretakers and the chimps will get to run and play on this hill. After all of that exercise and interesting things to do and find on the hill, they must be bored!!!!
How blessed you are, I wish I could help in some way, but I;m old and on a fixd income, can I send anything?
Hi Gayle! Thank you for your interest in supporting us 🙂 Here is our wishlist, which might have some items within your giving range. If you purchase through here it will be sent straight to us. Thanks! http://www.amazon.com/gp/wishlist/2L5WRNKBKB8B2/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_wl_T2?sort=priority&itemPerPage=25
Hi Lisa, any chance we can all see a photo of you with that bucket on your head?! : ) It is cold, snowy and icy where I live and just the thought of a bucket wearing care-giver made me laugh and enriched my day a little. I think everyone is tired of snow and cold and ready for warmer days. Bring them on please!! I hope by weeks end the chimps are dashing and foraging all over beautiful Young’s Hill — especially Jamie.