Grooming is a bonding experience for chimpanzees, and one reason is that it requires a lot of trust in one’s grooming partner. Chimps aren’t afraid to get quite personal with each other. The other day I caught Jamie very gently grooming Negra’s eyes and ears.
Archives for May 2016
A few of Annie’s favorite things
For each of us, every season holds favorite things to look forward to. That one special food, flower, sight, sound or scent that you can only enjoy at a certain time each year.
This spring I’ve watched the chimpanzees anticipating the growth of the wild greens on Young’s Hill and the fruits and vegetables in their garden weeks before anything appeared. For weeks Jody diligently marched to the top of Young’s Hill each day to see if the wild mustard or wild lettuce had begun to grow yet. The second the weather warmed up, Missy began asking us to open the barn doors to their playroom so she could see outside to her beloved garden. And every day she runs to the window next to where we plant her favorite cherry tomatoes each year, checking to see if they’ve magically appeared. This is the first year I’ve noticed the chimps demonstrating such clear anticipation for things to come with the corresponding season. It makes my heart so happy to know that they recognize they have favorite things to look forward to in their sanctuary home throughout the year.
Of course spring in particular offers a variety of favorites for each of the chimpanzees. Annie for example, loves racing across the expanse of Young’s Hill in a mad game of chase and wrestle with her best friend, Missy. But she also increasingly enjoys exploring and foraging on the hill in solitude. Just sitting and taking in the sky, the surrounding fields and watching the birds. Often she will be the only person out on the hill, perfectly content and serene.
And another of Annie’s endearing favorites as the season grows warmer? Toes. Yep, Annie loves to see human toes! The second she spots our feet in sandals she immediately blows raspberries (indicating she wants to see our toes right now!), grabs a tool, and races over to check them out, utterly mesmerized. Around here, the humans are pretty smitten with chimp toes and while I think their toes are a lot cooler than ours, I guess I can see why she might be fascinated by these strange things that probably seem so similar and yet so different to her own.
Companions
The Hoot! Gala this year was a huge success! The generous donations of many supporters this weekend has left the humans at the sanctuary buzzing with excitement for the future of the sanctuary! If you missed our newest announcements, check out the video below!
As I walked around Young’s Hill with Jamie this morning, I stopped and watched the chimpanzees play and forage together. Missy and Annie were two that caught my eye first. Two long time friends, enjoying each others company.
Annie and Missy have been best friends for years, but at some point there was an introduction and a beginning to their relationship. I cannot help but think about the other chimpanzees that may soon join the Cle Elum 7. We can only hope that they will form friendships like those that Missy and Annie have already established. Maybe even be a part of the Missy/Annie friendship?! When the newcomer chimpanzees get the chance to enter Young’s Hill for the first time, who will be their companion for their first outing? The possibilities are thrilling!
Burrito
This guy seems to have an unending supply of boyish charm.
It’s been a mellow day
Yesterday, the chimps were treated to a fantastic party, complete with an early dinner forage and numerous evening puzzles to keep them busy as staff prepared for attending the big HOOT! Gala fundraising event in Seattle. And today, both the humans and chimps are recovering. Seems that partying and celebrating take a lot of energy.
In between napping and mellow play sessions, Annie and Missy spent some time exploring the top of Young’s Hill.
Annie
Missy
A most sincere thank you goes out to all attendees and volunteers who attended last night’s HOOT! Gala!! It was an extraordinarily fun and successful fundraising event!! Be sure to stay tuned for a recap of HOOT! tomorrow!
