Anna and I decided to give the chimps some treats today to celebrate both the first night of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve. You may have noticed that we are pretty strict with the chimpanzees’ diet – nothing with added sugar, very little salt, and rarely any processed foods. Most of their diet consists of raw (sometimes cooked) fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, and a bit of commercially made primate chow, which is like a protein biscuit.
Even when we treat the chimps to something they don’t get very often, we try to stick to our dietary goals. It keeps them healthy, and they still love the food they get everyday!
In celebration of Christmas Eve, we set out “milk and cookies” (watered down warm almond milk + primate chow). I’d say it was a hit:
Burrito:
Jamie:
Foxie:
Missy:
Negra:
Jody looking pretty happy:
For the Hanukkah part of the celebration, Anna made some delicious looking (and delicious tasting – we had to try them for ourselves) salt-free potato latkes and I made some sugar-free chunky applesauce to go on top.
The chimps ate the latkes so fast, we weren’t able to get many photos.
Foxie brought France Dora to the meal, because she’s cosmopolitan like that:
Jamie being served by Anna with Burrito on the right:
Missy being served with Burrito looking on (I promise Burrito got at least his fair share too):
Annie took her latkes to the doorway to savor:
Definitely a win for fun food today!
In between the treats we humans came up with, they found some of their own…
And made some time to rest too:
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and holiday wishes to everyone! There will be even more treats for the chimps tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who supports the sanctuary – you make EVERY day a celebration.
Such a lovely Xmas eve. story. For some reason, I always find stories about the food the chimps are eating and pictures of them actually eating it amazingly entertaining and heartwarming. Perhaps it’s because their happiness is so evident and it warms my heart to know that they are finally experiencing goodness in their lives. I can never thank you enough for the work you do. I have no chimpanzees near me but I feel love for this chimp family as if they were right next to me and this is because of the intimate, warm, caring stories, photos, and videos you post daily. Lots of love to the chimps and to you –
their amazing caregivers <3 <3 <3
I nominate the photo of Foxie looking at the camera with chow sitting on her lip for the cover of the 2018 calendar. Definitely one of the most character-ful pics of Foxie yet lol.
Wonderful pix once again ~ you guys do such a gr8 job!! They are clearly loved and I’m sure they feel all of us sending them love every day. May blessings settle upon you all and remain with you! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Thanks for sharing these adorable pics of the chimps enjoying their holiday treats! And thanks for all of your work in helping them!
The latkes look pretty official to me and would be welcome at any Chanukah party….love the happiness on Jody’s face and the last picture of Jamie too!! Have great holidays to all the primates!
Love this celebration!! I agree with Donna above, there is definitely something heartwarming about seeing the chimps enjoying their food, it’s the best of all. I am always surprised by the creative, healthy foods your serve too (all with beautiful presentations!) — how do you do it?! I mean just look at them! Jamie is licking the very last drop from her cup, Foxie has fistfuls of chow and chow popping out of her mouth (seriously too funny), and Jody’s face says it all. Life is good! Thank you Diana and Anna for nurturing their souls, and ours too.
Happy Merry to all and to all a good night.
Merry Happy Chimpmas! xoxoxox
Yums all around 🙂 Looking forward to tomorrow – I think Patti has something really great in store.
Merry Christmas Chimps !