Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for January 2020

Until Tomorrow

by

Today was unseasonably warm. The girls took off shortly after breakfast for the first of many patrols.

Burrito, on the other hand, cursed the mild weather and set out to eat every last patch of snow before it was too late.

Recently, the Washington State Department of Transportation released an image from their camera on Sherman Pass that some say looks like Sasquatch. If I didn’t know any better, I might think it was Burrito in search of more snow.

One of highlights of each day for the chimps is the moment the two groups are “reunited” at a distance. During the colder months, the outdoor enclosures are closed off at night so they can only call back and forth to each other through the walls. But each morning they meet again, and the displaying and flirting can be intense.

Here, you can see Mave and Willy B entering the chute while the Cle Elum Seven emerge from the greenhouse onto Young’s Hill with the remains of their lunch.

Burrito, Jody, Jamie, and Missy:

Burrito, Jody, Foxie, Jamie, and Missy:

Foxie and Jamie (look how gray Foxie is getting!):

Negra and Foxie:

Eventually both groups begin to resume their normal activities, checking on each other from time to time until they eventually go to bed for the night. Tomorrow, we’ll go through the whole routine again.

 

 

Happy Birthday, Meg!

by

Today was sponsored by long-time sanctuary friend, Meg Lunnum!

“It’s time for my birthday again!!! My wish is for Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest to grow even larger in the future!”

Meg, thanks so much for allowing us all to celebrate with you! The more chimps (and cattle!), the merrier, right? 🙂 We hope you have a beautiful day and thank you for the difference you make in the lives of so many of our amazing fellow animals. Happiest of birthdays from all of us here!

Missy and Annie:

Burrito and Foxie:

Missy, Jody and Negra:

Jamie and Jody:

Mave and Honey B:

Betsy, Honey, Meredith, and Nutmeg:

Might As Well Play

by

The goal of the caregivers and volunteers is to clean the chimpanzees’ enclosures quickly and thoroughly. We want to ensure they have as much space as soon as it becomes available. Though there are times the chimpanzees may try to hurry us along (Jamie usually gesturing, Negra clapping, Burrito blowing Bronx cheers, etc.), there are also times they keep themselves occupied until we are finished.

Today, as we were cleaning the Playroom, Negra was especially playful in the front rooms. First, we saw her playing with Burrito. Then we saw her playing with Foxie. These play sessions lasted as soon as we saw them. Then along came Jody and a pink blanket. This play session last for quiet awhile, until Jody pulled her new move to let Negra know she she has the upper hand is done playing.

The one with all the Noise

by

It has finally settled down in the Chimp House. There was a lot of commotion today. Nothing bad, but a lot of talking between walls. Willy B spent a lot of time in the Chute. This always makes the 6 ladies excited. They will scream, hoot, watch the 3 chimps in the chute with extreme focus, and try to make sure Willy B sees them. We found Willy B and Burrito head nodding towards each other a lot too, which was nice to see. Eventually, everyone on both sides calmed down and the rest of the afternoon there have just been piles of chimps grooming with each other.

Sometimes I cannot get over how handsome Willy B is:

Honey B watching J.B. outside:

Foxie and Burrito grooming by the window so they don’t miss anything happening by the Chute:

Turning the Day Around

by

I had a lot of hope for the weather after yesterday’s brief reprieve from the winter weather. As I began to drive to the sanctuary today, that hope began to dwindle. A fresh layer of snow had accumulated overnight and there were grey clouds as far as the eye could see. Earlier in the day, all my plans to shift the chimpanzees from one area to another so we could clean their enclosure was altered multiple times. The chimpanzees just refused to leave certain areas, making it harder for us to clean. I began to accept this day was just an outright bad day. Then our veterinarian Erin arrived. She came by and did a checkup on Burrito to see how his recovery was coming along. When she came back into the foyer area, she gave me the best news of the day. She determined Burrito was well enough to be reunited with his family once again!

It was at this point, the entire day turned around. The clouds had cleared up. The sun came out and melted some of the snow. And the chimpanzees began to cooperate and move into the areas we needed them to so we could clean. It sounds like I’m making this up, but believe me, it happened like this. Our incredible volunteer staff today rolled up their sleeves and really busted their bums to ensure the enclosures were cleaned quickly and thoroughly so we could reunite Burrito with the girls. When it came time, I opened the doors to reunite them and there was excitement. Foxie and Burrito almost immediately engaged in a game of chase, before settling down and starting a very long grooming session.

While Burrito and Foxie were grooming, Annie and Missy shared their excitement by engaging in a silly game of play wrestle.

When they were finished, Annie decided it was time to bask in the sun’s rays through window.

Jamie on the other hand found a new way to relax while watching her neighbors from the Playroom window.

While Jody foraged nearby.

Though today started out sort of rough, seeing Burrito back in the Playroom with the Girl Gang made every bit of today worth it.

A springy winter day

by

The days are dawning earlier and there has even been tentative birdsong in the early morning air and though the wild winter card of February stills lies ahead, we’re all more than happy to take a springy winter day in the midst of it. It was sunny, slick and super icy this morning, but after a few hours the sun actually felt warm on our faces and the six ladies were anxious to head outside. They walked, ran, climbed, and explored to their hearts’ content for a few hours, I imagine thrilled to be relatively unimpeded by snow. The humans, as well. 😉

Annie, Jamie, Missy, Foxie:

Jamie, Missy, Annie, Jody, Foxie:

Annie and yes! That’s Negra!!

Annie:

Foxie:

Jamie and her lustrous locks:

On the other side of the building, Mave, Honey B and Willy B enjoyed sun-filled home and time in the fresh air screeching at the girls from afar, so I’d say it was a good day for all. Everyone’s tucked in cozy after a busy day for all enjoying the adventurous outdoors (with the exception of Burrito, who continues to recover nicely and is just oh-so-close!). It’s back to pouring rain with more snow in the forecast so this human is scurrying home. Happy evening to you all and hope your day contained whatever it is that lifts your spirit.

Happy Birthday, Pam!

by

Today was sponsored by Pam Powers who shared this lovely message about her kind gift:

“Celebrating my birthday, can’t think of a better way to celebrate the staff and chimps at the sanctuary than by sponsoring a day on my special day.”

Pam, thank you so much for choosing such an inspiring and compassionate gift for yourself and the chimpanzees! We so appreciate your generous heart! Happiest of birthdays from all of us at the sanctuary and we hope you have a beautiful day!

Honey B and Mave:

Mave

Annie and Missy: