Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for March 2014

Tiny babies

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Two, tiny baby trolls arrived for Ms. Foxie Chimpanzee in the mail today, thanks to supporter Stephanie H.!

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When Elizabeth and I showed them to Foxie her eyes got big, her hair was pilo-erect (standing on end because she was so excited!) and she just stared at them, mesmerized. As soon as I handed them to her, she gazed incredulously at them, rubbed them against her belly, and then passed them back to me to play “pass the troll” for several minutes. Foxie’s hair remained pilo for the entire game, she jumped up and down, spun pirouettes, and had me chase her with them all through the chimp house. Needless to say, she adores them.

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I missed the photo of this, but might I also add, the tiny babies are apparently just the right size to set inside one’s bellybutton (if you happen to be Foxie, that is). Stephanie also sent a wooden cookware set and wooden tool puzzle which Jamie was very excited to see. Thanks for brightening the chimpanzees’ day, Stephanie!!

And in other happenings at the chimp house today, you’ll be happy to know that thanks to the quickly melting snow, Jamie was finally able to walk all the way around Young’s Hill again with a caregiver! At one point she stopped for a few minutes and surveyed the hill and surrounding mountains. Then she turned and ran all the way down the hill. Spring is coming!

Mardi Gras Party

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In the tradition of Fat Tuesday we threw a Mardi Gras party for the chimpanzees today. However, I’m quite certain their spread was much healthier than tradition might generally dictate with apples, grapefruit, and fruit smoothies on the menu. We were even lucky enough to experience a break in the winter weather to accommodate the festivities in a sunny greenhouse this morning! I believe the chimpanzees found the conditions much improved from the past couple of days and were thoroughly excited to forage in a delightfully warm greenhouse for their breakfast.

Jody munching on an apple slice:
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Negra foraging for fruit:
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Missy enjoying some grapefruit:
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Annie getting into the spirit of things with a colorful mouthful of crayons:
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Burrito foraging for chow, one of his favorites:
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And, enjoying it!
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Foxie, also enjoying a chow moment:
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Jamie thoroughly enjoyed her breakfast as well but was on the watch for the camera today. Here she is in her greenhouse hideout, checking to see if the coast is clear yet:
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And, here is a little peek into Burrito’s good mood this morning:

Permission

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The last couple of days we’ve been experiencing some extra snow fall, which means the chimps get to snack on some fresh snow, which they love! Elizabeth and I filled up the chimps’ sandbox with snow and added some troll dolls for some CSNW flair.

Everyone was snacking on the snow, including of course Jamie. Since she is the boss, the other chimps wanted to make sure they were okay to snack on the snow, too. That’s completely natural chimpanzee behavior, and something that is essential to their society. Jamie was fine with the other chimps enjoying the snow, there was plenty to go around, and she wasn’t feeling particularly territorial of it.

When Jody asked for Jamie’s permission, she displayed perfect reassurance behaviors. She approached with a drooped lip, making it clear that she was not being at all aggressive or threatening. Then she reached out toward Jamie as if to say “is it okay if I join?” Jamie didn’t disapprove, so Jody’s next move was to give Jamie a quick kiss on the mouth. Jamie reciprocated and gave Jody permission by giving Jody a kiss back on her brow ridge. Jody then knew it was fine with Jamie that she join in, and immediately started snacking.

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Foxie and Her Trolls: A History

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When Foxie first came to the sanctuary about five and a half years ago, she took her time getting adjusted to her new home. She didn’t fully trust her caregivers right away, and she didn’t want anything to do with the enrichment that was offered to her.

About a month after the chimpanzees’ arrival, Diana came across a troll doll at a secondhand shop and grabbed it, thinking it might make good chimp enrichment. That troll doll was destined to change Foxie’s life. (You can see one of the very first photos taken of Foxie and her new friend in this early blog post.)

Trixie (the doll stuck by Foxie’s side for so long that the staff eventually gave her a name) was well-loved and soon the staff put out a call for more troll dolls. People responded, and here is Foxie’s collection today:

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Foxie’s favorite doll changes frequently; recently, it’s been this tiny fuzzy orange one. Who knows what we’ll see her carrying next week?

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Keeping Jamie enriched

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One of the biggest challenges of this job is keeping Jamie enriched. The other chimps certainly need enrichment, too, but Jamie in particular requires a lot to keep her engaged. So I’m continually trying to find things that will be enriching for her. Kongs are a good food puzzle for the chimps because we can put nuts, peanut butter, or even mushed banana into the crevices making it tricky to get the treat out.

Recently I discovered these Kong “Genius” toys which connect together, and I thought it seemed perfect for Jamie! Thanks to Carrie M. who ordered a bunch of these Kongs for us off our Amazon wishlist recently, we were able to make several connected Kongs. Jamie of course hoarded many of them, but all the chimps were able to enjoy this puzzle. You’ll hear in the video just how happy Jamie is with all her food groans and grunts.

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Speaking of Jamie and of the wishlist, we are in desperate need of a new boot dryer! Ours broke yesterday and as you can imagine we are constantly running the dryers to get Jamie’s boots quickly dry after we wash them. Dry boots makes for a happy Jamie! Both she and I would be forever grateful to anyone that is able to purchase a new one for us. If you do grab anything from the list now or anytime in the future, send me an email at [email protected] so we can be sure to send you a thank you! (UPDATE: Thank you Patrick and Carrie for purchasing the boot dryer for us! The boss will be happy).

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Today is in memory of Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Joan O’Flaherty in memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen.  Although Ned and Noreen were born 2 years apart, they shared the same birthdate of March 1st. Ned and Noreen also shared a great love for animals and their environment, and valued the conservation of both. Joan generously sponsors this day each year in honor of her parents because she feels they would have loved the chimpanzees.

Joan, thank you so much! We are so touched that you include the chimpanzees in such a special memory and it makes us happy to think that your parents still get to be a part of the sanctuary and providing a forever home for the chimpanzees.

Good friends, Burrito (left) and Foxie (right), enjoying each others’ company:

Burrito playfully bite Foxie's hand