Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for July 2016

The Queen on High Alert

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Today, Negra was the first on the hill for the forage. At one point, she heard or saw something that she wanted to investigate further, so she stood up bipedally. This is not a posture we see Negra adopting very often, so I was very pleased to have gotten photographs:

Negra standing

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Negra standing and looking

 

She looks pretty innocent and sweet, doesn’t she?

Negra behind grass

 

Well, let’s not forget that she is a chimpanzee. Last week, before the drama of the fire, this sweet and innocent queen of the sanctuary caught and ate a hummingbird.

sweet Negra

 

I really like hummingbirds, and I don’t wish a violent end to any life, but, at the same time, I did experience a feeling somewhat related to pride… it’s not an easy task to catch a hummingbird, and it’s a pretty “chimpanzee thing” to do for a not-very-active, old grandma of a chimp who has lived in captivity almost her entire life.

Negra looking down

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Today is in memory of Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty

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This day of sanctuary is sponsored by Joan O’Flaherty in memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty, on their anniversary.

“My parents loved animals and were very concerned about conservation of the environment. They would be pleased that their memory is honoured by a practical contribution to the care of the Cle Elum Seven.”
Joan, we are always honored that you choose to celebrate your parents and their memory each year by making a difference in the lives of the chimpanzees. This is such a compassionate way to honor their legacy and we so appreciate all that you do for the chimps in their name. We will be thinking of you and your family today and hope you are surrounded by the comfort and love you help provide for the chimpanzees in their sanctuary home.
Foxie and friends:
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Tucked away

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With things returning to normal after our recent brush fire and the warmth of summer, the chimpanzees have been tucked away relaxing for most of the day.

During a walk, Jamie chose to sit in the shade of the tall grass (while a certain caregiver accompanying her sweated it out in the hot sun until she gave the cue it was time to move on):

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Jamie’s view at the time so I don’t blame her:

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Negra enjoyed the breakfast forage from her shady cabin on Young’s Hill…:

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…before making her way in for a nap:

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And then there was this person relaxing every which way at the top of the toasty greenhouse:

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Of course, it’s Foxie and Dora.

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The Watcher

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Jamie chimpanzee is a person with many talents. One of her extraordinary skills happens to be an almost total awareness of her surroundings. Not many things slip by her. She regulates all activities at the sanctuary, and makes sure everyone knows about it. While Jamie can’t actually access places like the highway, neighboring houses, and the sanctuary parking lot, she knows just where to go in her domain to get the best views of all the goings on.

Looking out the barn doors, Jamie can see part of the garden and the trailer that houses the sanctuary’s clinic.
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When she enters the portrait studio, Jamie has a good line of site on the kitchen with the parking lot and barn out the window beside her.
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And let’s not forget about the 360 degree panorama views out on the Young’s Hill structures!
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Sometimes she can be quite stealthy about her surveillance, often appearing out of what seems like thin air to put an end to an interaction that caregivers might be having with one of the other chimps. Today I caught her keeping a watchful eye on caregiver Lizz as she played chase with Burrito.
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I’ve never thought too much about her diligent supervision until last Saturday, when she alerted us of the brush fire that had broken out on a hill not too far from the sanctuary. At that moment, I was very thankful to know such a dedicated governor as Jamie chimpanzee.
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