Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Archives for March 2016

Negra Ventures Out

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Some people are known for being adventurous, curious, open to new experiences. Negra is not one of these people. Negra is an old lady who is stuck in her ways, and she loves her ways, thank you very much. Her ways include curling up with a pile of blankets and napping the day away. She doesn’t like interruptions, delays, inconveniences of any kind.

Negra is not the outdoorsy type. She likes the comforts of home, and to her, home is the indoor playroom of the chimp house. She rarely ventures outside unless the conditions are just right: perfect weather, delicious food. Luckily, the conditions were ideal this morning. The weather in Cle Elum today could not be more beautiful – warm temperatures, light breezes – so we scattered a breakfast forage on Young’s Hill. Not only did Negra go outside, she led the rest of the group out the door.

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Opening the doors to spring

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It’s an incredibly lovely spring day at the sanctuary today. Every day for at least the last two weeks Missy has been asking us to open up the barn doors on the playroom. With minimal wind and temperatures close to 70 degrees, it’s finally warm enough to grant her request. The chimpanzees get so excited when we open those doors up for some reason. Whether it’s the fresh breeze suddenly wafting through the playroom or the chance to check out the garden side of the chimp house they don’t get a clear view of from their windows, it elicits spring fever in us all.

As soon as the doors swung open, the chimps started hooting, laughing and chasing one another. Missy had the biggest play face I’ve ever seen (and of course, I didn’t have the camera at that moment!). As the fresh spring air spilled in, it was as if pure joy leaped and tumbled through the chimp house with it.

After the excitement died down, Jamie decided to build a super cozy next in front of the doors and just take in the peaceful view and sunshine:
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Our bluebird neighbors have returned to their nesting spot on Young’s Hill (despite have three perfectly lovely bluebird houses set up for them elsewhere):

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Jamie meandering during a walk around the hill and taking in the views:

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In other news, Jody is lounging in the toasty greenhouse:

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Welcome, spring!

Easter, Chimp Style

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**Warning** This post contains a lot of photos!!

Easter, chimp style, involves good food…

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…enrichment with hidden food inside…
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…toys and dolls…
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…an Easter egg hunt in the greenhouse…
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and in the playroom…
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and, of course, the Cle Elum Seven!!

Missy found one of the eggs with peanuts inside.
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Burrito scored with the primate chow he gathered in his mouth and hands!
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Foxie took turns with each of her dolls, first with the brunette…
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then with the blonde,
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and later, with both of them.

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Annie held onto her egg as she ate peanuts and primate chow.
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Jody made sure to check every part of the Easter basket for hidden treats.
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Jamie searched high and low for treats, including under this blanket,
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…in these boots,
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…and in these boxes.
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Negra found her favorite treats (peanuts) inside some of the Easter eggs.

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Wishing everyone a happy and joyous Easter!