Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for October 2018

Sun Salutation

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Occasionally we find the chimps in the most luxurious looking yoga-like poses (Happy Baby Pose is a common one for Negra)! Today I found Annie in this sort of seated Pigeon Pose as she soaked up the sunshine pouring into the playroom. I suspect that she started out by grooming her leg, but then found it reasonably comfortable to maintain the stretch for a while as she took in the view from the catwalk.

Missy held hostage

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After the chimps returned from their morning foray around the hill, Annie climbed to the top of the greenhouse to make a nest and get warm. She immediately started clapping her feet together and making her patented bird noised (whistling through her hands) which if you’re new-ish to the blog is Annie speak for “I am extremely happy and content right now.”

Best friend, Missy, climbed up to join her where they had a sweet grooming session. Missy doesn’t often care to have her photo taken and I admittedly took advantage of the fact that she was held hostage by Annie who was grooming her back to snap a few quick photos with her permission. It didn’t take Missy long to turn her back so I’m happy to have captured a few of her beautiful self. Thanks, Missy!

When chimpanzees groom one another or themselves, they typically make a variety of distinct sounds with their mouths, tongues and teeth to communicate their intentions. We humans do this as well when the chimps invite us to groom with them through the caging. Each chimp has their own style to some degree which can include, lip-smacking, teeth-clacking or blowing raspberries. Annie was utilizing the raspberry technique:

Taking her job very seriously:

Missy said, “A little lower”:

Octobrrrrr!

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While the mornings in October are beautiful, they sure are cold! However, its still warm in the sun and the chimps don’t seem to mind the brisk mornings. Look at all of them out on Young’s Hill (even Neggie)!

Negra was very eager to go outside with everyone this morning:

And then promptly came back inside to snooze a little bit more, can you tell that lump of blankets is Negra:

Missy was having a blast rippin and chasing her friends onto Young’s Hill:

Jody, Jamie, Foxie, and Annie all scattered onto the Hill:

Foxie:

Annie:

Burrito:

Burrito eventually decided to go inside:

Later in the morning while we were cleaning I saw Jody basking in the sun:

While Jody was relaxing I found Burrito watching Foxie and Missy out on the Hill:

It warms my heart to see everyone enjoying their day and spending quality time together!

Negra’s priceless life

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The other day someone asked me what I thought about all of the resources (time, staff, funds) that go into caring for a relatively small number of chimpanzees. It wasn’t a hostile or accusatory question at all, just one of curiosity.

Part of my answer in the moment was that we are working hard towards bringing more chimpanzees to the sanctuary. We are REALLY excited to expand in order to provide more chimpanzees with a home at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

But there’s also what we’ve seen in the last decade caring for the seven chimpanzees.

I was thinking about that question again this morning as I took this photo of Negra:

and then some more as I watched Negra walk out onto Young’s Hill and climb a structure to sit next to Annie in the sun:

Some things really are priceless. I could never put a value on the last ten and a half years of Negra’s life. Every moment has been invaluable for her, for her six friends, and for all of the humans who have gotten to know the chimpanzees in person and through this blog.

I’m filled with gratitude that so many people care about Negra and her friends and have given their time and money towards each priceless moment.

Negra thanks you!

 

Breakfast in the Greenhouse

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At CSNW, the day begins with breakfast in the greenhouse. This morning, graduate student Lisa observed Diana serving as part of her caregiver training.
 
Meals are often served directly, as Diana demonstrates in this video.
They can also be spread out as a forage, placed in food puzzles, or done in some combination of the above. Serving individually enables us to give medications, ensures that everyone gets their fair share, and allows us to pick up on slight changes in eating behavior that might indicate changes in their health.
 
The chimps are usually patient and cooperative during meals, though food-stealing does occur and fights do occasionally break out. Notice how the chimps change positions and try to get Diana’s attention to get more of their favorite foods – it takes a lot of practice to be able to remember who’s been served and how much!
 
At one point you will see Annie “crutch walk” in the greenhouse. Chimpanzees sometimes scoot around on extended arms with their butts and legs still in a seated position. It’s an efficient way to get around if you’re not going far!
 
After breakfast, the chimps take to Young’s Hill and look forward to exploring, playing, grooming, and many more meals and snacks to come.

More love for Vicki

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Everyone knows that birthdays should be extended for as long as possible, right?! Certainly the chimpanzees would agree with this:

 

Because Vicki’s birthday yesterday was a special one and she has many people in her life that care about her (count all of the primates at CSNW in that list!), we have a second Sponsor a Day celebrating her birthday yesterday.

This one is from Mary Fagerlee with this message, “We want to honor our sister-in-law Vicki Fagerlee on her birthday. She is an awesome addition to our family, and it’s perfect to add to Jim and Kim’s sponsorship of her day to her chimp family!”

So, happy continued birthday, Vicki!