A common question we get from curious supporters is “how much do the chimps eat?” While we don’t actually weigh their daily portions out or count calories, we use a rough estimate and a little bit of trial and error to adjust the chimps’ diets accordingly. Lately we’ve been serving Burrito and Foxie an extra portion of primate chow since they are two of our more slender residents.
Burrito loves emptying bags of primate chow into his mouth and is a big fan of this “Burrito gets more” plan. This is an older photo, but you get the idea!
In general, the chimps each eat 3 servings of fruit for breakfast (one of which is a fruit smoothie), 3 servings of vegetables at lunch, and 3 servings of veggies/fruit for dinner. What makes up a serving is a little open to interpretation, but you could think of a standard sized apple being considered 1 serving. Oh and I almost forgot! We serve Willy B extra produce each day because he’s a big guy and needs to maintain his muscular physique. All in all, our fridges empty at a considerable rate.
In the age of COVID-19 we’ve had to reorganize a lot of the ways we provide care for the chimpanzees including how we get the chimps their weekly shipment of fresh produce. Thursdays have become the sanctuary’s “produce day.” JB drives to a neighboring city and does our shopping at a wholesale store, then staff member Anthony and volunteer caregiver Lisa do a mass washing and reorganizing of our 2 fridges.
If you would like to help keep the chimps’ fridges stocked full of fresh fruits and veggies, you can become a Produce Patron on our website. The chimps and those that love them thank you! Here’s today’s well-stocked veggie fridge:
Hi Anna!
I’ve often wondered….are the chimps’ morning smoothies made with water? Coconut milk?
A mixture of water and plant-based milk (usually almond).
Oh Burrito, to feel such joy! The magic of primate chow. And I was wondering how Willy B kept up his strength to tackle his climbing structure every day, now I know. Your fridge is the most organized and cleanest fridge I have ever seen (but I would expect nothing less from you guys). They say it’s all in the details and your love is clearly seen in everything you do.
A friendly Hello, Anna…
I also have a food related question…If it’s even possible, do you try to monitor (at least casually) the daily food consumption of the individual chimps??? Whenever there’s a bountiful forage, or a holiday party, (with goodies spread out all over the place), do you wonder if they each get their equitable share??? While I know there’s occasionally sneaky food thievery & begging from one another, I don’t imagine there’s much food related aggression (or tension), since the chimps have never missed a meal (at sanctuary), & don’t have to worry about their daily availability of food…
It sure makes me grin reading about how the “little one, Willy B & Bubba” get fed a little extra everyday
to maintain their health…
Hi Debi!
We try to balance the forages out with more meals served directly to the chimps so we can keep track and make sure that everyone is getting enough. Although it doesn’t happen every day, there can be food related aggression in all types of meals (usually related to favorite food competition). Willy B is a bit of a bully with the girls he lives with so we have recently been working with him using positive reinforcement training. If he stays at his “station” and doesn’t steal from Honey B or more likely Mave, he will receive a “jackpot” bonus piece of fruit at the end of the meal.
Bravo to the staff members who receive and organize all the produce. I’m a professional restaurant cook, and I would love to show the photo of your impeccably clean cooler as an inspiration to the people I work with, they could learn from it. Preparing meals is a job filled with heavy lifting, rotating of product, moving, washing, storing, prepping and serving…and then you get to do it all again tomorrow. In between all of that, you get to clean. And nobody ever says “Thank you!” Except for all of us here on the blog, I know we will all say “Thank you!” on behalf of the chimps.
Oh gosh, I worded that poorly. I didn’t mean that people at CSNW aren’t grateful for the work of the staff members who prepare the chimp’s food! Of course they are, poorly said on my part. I meant to recognize all those who participate in “invisible work” in our daily lives.
we knew what you meant, Betsy!
Having been 6am counter/prep/stock person at a fast food place, I can’t help but look askance every time someone complains about the shake machine not working…..
Thank you!
“I’m a professional restaurant cook, and I would love to show the photo of your impeccably clean cooler as an inspiration to the people I work with, they could learn from it.”
Thank you! We’re flattered. I actually blushed a little when I heard about your comment because I really enjoy organizing the fridge, especially rotating and consolidating produce. You made my day. -Anthony