Most meals for the Cle Elum Seven include fresh fruits and vegetables, along with primate chow biscuits. Nuts and seeds are also given to the chimps each day. And on occasion, we prepare special treats for the chimps and today was one of those special occasion days. We served the cake that was made for Dr. Elliott Sumers birthday. Cake ingredients included grated butternut squash, homemade applesauce, chow “dust”, and raisins, then topped with more applesauce, coconut flakes, and banana chips.
To say that the chimpanzees enjoyed the cake would be an understatement!
They loved it so much they couldn’t stop licking the plates even after the cake was gone!
Jody even brought her plate with her when she ventured outside onto Young’s Hill.
Burrito was pretty excited about the almond milk too!
Tonight, we are also trying a new evening enrichment for the chimps, which we’re calling “grab bags”. It is inspired by a children’s birthday party I went to recently, when each child received a small bag filled with an assortment of goodies and toys; each bag different from the others. Included in tonight’s grab bags, are things like socks with nuts and seeds hidden inside, crumpled up paper with peanut butter smeared on it, kongs tied inside bandanas, etc. We hope they like them!
And here are a few pictures of Annie and Foxie looking beautiful as ever today.