Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for February 2019

After the Storm

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The days after a snowstorm (or series of snowstorms) are so wonderful, aren’t they? It’s like reawakening to a changed world.

J.B., with the help of volunteer Jonathan, made some pathways in the snow for the chimpanzees today. The chimps watched the work being done for them from the greenhouse. When everything was ready for them, they went outside to stretch their legs a bit, take in the landscape, and get some snow to snack on.

Burrito following Annie:

Jody:

Jody and Missy:

Foxie:

You may have already guessed that Negra wasn’t with the first expedition of the morning, but instead stayed inside until afternoon:

Jamie, meanwhile, was preoccupied with a couple of magazines. In fact, she’s more preoccupied with photos of boots than with boots themselves lately.

She did take the time to go outside to grab a big chuck of snow after lunch before returning to a magazine:

Burrito and his after dinner enrichment

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The chimps are presented with different food puzzles each night before they settle down and make their nests. Volunteers placed peanuts and spoonfuls of peanut butter in cups and screwed them together in stacks. Burrito carefully unscrewed the cups from each other to find the treats but found it much easier to use his large, powerful canine teeth to rip off the lids – reminding us that an effective solution to a problem often looks different from a chimpanzee’s perspective.

Today is for Arlene

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Michael sponsored this special, lovely day of sanctuary in honor of his wife, Arlene, to wish her  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Michael and Arlene, thank you so much for always holding the chimpanzees in your hearts and for celebrating, and contributing to, the myriad of ways love is present in each of their lives. We’re so very fortunate to have you as part of our chimp family. Have a beautiful day!

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:

Jody and Missy:

Jamie:

Annie and Missy:

Burrito and Negra:

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:

Burrito smooches:

Mischief

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Today we got a break from Snowpocalypse 2019 with some lovely blue sky and sunshine at the sanctuary. When it starts to warm up around here, the snow comes cascading off the roof of the building in big sheets to keep us busy digging out our sidewalks. We are on just the edge of this weather, with the snow just starting to creep over the eaves in a menacing fashion. The main part of the building gets an amazing build up of delicious icicles:

The chimps have been playful since early this morning, running around and engaging their caregivers and each other in games of chase. It’s always a delight to start your day with everyone around you in a cheerful mood.

This morning I opened the door to Young’s Hill. As I walked down the greenhouse steps that lead back toward the main chimp house building, Burrito playfully kicked the plastic covered caging next to me. He likes to start games of chase this way. Having the element of surprise (the plastic makes it hard see him coming) must be pretty satisfying.

As an added bonus to this morning’s game, I also got covered in a waterfall of fresh powdery snow. The force of Burrito’s strong kick managed to knock a stream of (fortunately) soft snow loose off the greenhouse roof. The snow shower may have been an unintended consequence of his game, but either way, well played Mr. B!

It’s still snowing

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February appears to be making up for lost winter time. Our relatively mild season so far has suddenly found us in the midst of weeks of below freezing days and nights and inches upon inches of snow. The chimpanzees still have access to their outdoor habitat during the day if they choose to, but they all seemed more than content to stay within the warmth of the chimp house playroom and front rooms. That doesn’t mean they have been busy all day though and really, they like to do most of the same things we humans do on snow days. Eating, having a little fun with snow, staying cozy and taking naps, hanging out with friends, drinking warm tea, creative projects, playing, reading…

Jody enjoyed several blankets warm from the dryer to take an after breakfast snooze while we cleaned the playroom:

We continued the snow snack sculptures which the chimps visited throughout the day.

Jody:

And in between all of her folio projects, Jamie took some time to enjoy her current favorite read, “Dwell” magazine: