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Archives for February 2021

(Banana for Scale)

February 28, 2021 by Anthony

Today’s blog is dedicated to our favorite fruit: bananas. Humans first domesticated these plants on the island archipelagos of Southeast Asia between 10,000 and 6,500 years ago. Ancient voyagers carried these remarkable berries with them around the globe, cementing their status as a staple crop for people living in tropical Africa, Asia, Oceania, and eventually the Americas.

Cavendish bananas are now the most popular cultivar worldwide despite actually being less than two-hundred years old. Bundles of these green bananas are shipped to regional warehouses where they are ripened in sealed rooms, resulting in the artificial yellow color that appeals to consumers in grocery stores. (Without the intermediate step, most Cavendish bananas will go from green to rotten without ever “ripening.”)

Besides simply cultivating and eating them, we humans have cemented a place for this fruit in pop culture. We refer to historically colonized nations as “Banana Republics,” laugh at people slipping on banana peels, and wear stupid banana costumes to parties. Spectacularly, people even began to include bananas in online images to provide the viewer with a sense of scale. (In fact, bananas may be a better unit of measurement than stoats.)

For a CSNW example, here’s an image of a Troll Doll (banana for scale):

Somehow, we also learned to associate bananas with our nonhuman ape and monkey relatives. (Thanks a lot, Donkey Kong!) As much as sanctuary caregivers may resent this overdone stereotype as we work hard to give the residents a wide variety of species-appropriate foods, even we cannot deny that chimpanzees really do love bananas. In fact, we almost always have them in stock as each chimp eats an average of one or two bananas each day. The reliance on bananas is normal for sanctuaries. At fellow NAPSA member sanctuary Chimp Haven, the enthusiasm with which each of their 300+ residents demands two bananas each morning has inspired a line of merchandise (and I have one of the mugs).

Note: The following meme depicts a young spider monkey, not a chimp, but it holds the same weight:

Fortunately for the sanctuary’s ten chimpanzee residents, we recently received an unexpected donation of bananas from the faith-based FISH Community Food Bank in nearby Ellensburg. Thanks, FISH!!!

The bananas were perfect– canary yellow with coffee-colored spots, firm but not starchy, and pungently sweet- and the generous people at the food bank gave us SEVEN CASES of these things to dole out to the chimps.

As Diana pointed out yesterday, the event was not quite a lagniappe, but it had a similar vibe. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on generosity and thoughtfulness to keep the sanctuary running. Every contribution matters. To make sure that we wouldn’t waste a donation like this, the staff got to work freezing peeled and blended bananas for use in future smoothies, dehydrating bananas to make chips for night bags, and washing bananas for immediate meal service. Processing new produce is one of my favorite weekly tasks, so this past week has been quite the thrill.

The chimps have not been complaining about receiving bananas more frequently. They demand their bananas first (because fruit is always the highest priority) then scarf them down with gusto. Lately, I’ve been trying to get a passable photo of any chimpanzee eating a donated banana to send to the team at the food bank, but the chimpanzees eat them too fast and I miss each narrow window of opportunity.

This pattern continued through today. During breakfast, I stood in front of the indoor enclosures and waited for the chimps to bring their bananas in from the Greenhouse (just as Jody did on Friday). They all inhaled their first course on the spot instead of taking it to go, so I squandered that chance by planning poorly. Then, at dinner, the bananas were almost entirely gone by the time I had carried out my other duties and arrived in the Greenhouse with a camera.

I did manage to salvage a few photos from breakfast, however. In particular, Jamie was overwhelmed by the amazing banana smoothie that the care team had prepared for both groups of chimps. She used her fingers to scrape every last bit of it from the plastic cup.

After breakfast, Jamie finally went into the indoor rooms and sat on a bench. I still had the camera hanging from my neck, so I asked her if I could take some portraits. She mostly ignored me (except for an occasional nod that I interpreted as “affirmative”), and kept looking over my shoulder. Her attention evidently went down the hall toward the kitchen. I turned to follow her gaze. Through that narrow doorway, we could both see straight through to the transparent refrigerator door where hundreds of bananas sat on brightly-lit shelves.

I doubt that Jamie knows the natural history of bananas or that the people at FISH supplied us with the ones she ate for breakfast, but it’s a safe bet that she’ll be expecting one on her breakfast tray tomorrow morning.

She’s in luck.

We have, like, a thousand of them.

P.S. If you’re interested in helping us to get fresh produce to the chimps every day, you should consider being a Produce Patron!

Filed Under: Food, Jamie, Thanks Tagged With: animal sanctuaries, animal sanctuary, chimp sanctuary, chimpanzees, chimps, csnw, donate, fish community food bank, fish ellensburg, food bank, food bank ellensburg, nonprofit, northwest, primate sanctuary, seattle

Unexpected Gift

February 27, 2021 by Diana

Do you know the word lagniappe? It’s an American French (think Louisiana) word. From my perusal of dictionary definitions it refers to a bonus “something” given to a customer when they are making a purchase. It’s now used in broader terms and refers to any unexpected bonus that comes with something else.

I’m glad I looked it up! I’ve liked the sound of the word since first hearing it and sometimes it’s just floating around up there in my head for no reason. But now I realize that my understanding of the definition as simply “an unexpected gift” was somewhat incorrect.

On Thursday afternoon, J.B. headed out with the sanctuary truck to pick up the weekly produce, which was much needed because the fridges were looking quite bare with the glowing exception of a particular fruit that I believe Anthony will be writing about tomorrow.

I want to say that the filling up of our fruit fridge was a lagniappe, but that would be using that unique word incorrectly – it was just a wonderful and unexpected gift.

I digress.

In the middle of a zoom call after J.B. had left to get produce, I got a call from him on my phone. I decided I should answer it because it was strange that he was calling me just 20 minutes after leaving. I rudely existed the view of my computer camera with no explanation and took his call. Indeed, my intuition was correct. The truck had an issue and he was parked on the side of the highway. There would be no produce run that day.

Instead, after the truck was towed and I picked up J.B., he made a quick jaunt to the local grocery store to hold the chimps’ over until the truck was fixed and he could do the full produce run this afternoon.

To my surprise, one of the produce items he brought back was corn. Corn! In February! This was indeed a lagniappe. Oh wait, no – that’s using the word incorrectly again.

Nevertheless, the chimpanzees were delighted with this unexpected gift:

Negra:

Missy:

Jody got two ears because Jamie was at first very focused on the mini sweet peppers at lunch, putting her ear of corn down near the watchful eyes of Jody. Jamie was okay with Jody taking it, but decided later she did in fact want some (maybe the sounds of all of the delightful crunching by her friends made her change her mind). If you are on Instagram, go to our page to see a little video clip of Jody crunching her double lagniappe gift.

Everything worked out in the end because Foxie rejected her corn full stop. So, I gave Jamie Foxie’s ear of corn and I gave Foxie Jamie’s carrot.

Whew!

Jamie took her corn up to the top window for some private dining.

Honey B, Mave, and Willy B got their corn for dinner and it was very much appreciated by all three of them. Here’s Honey B:

Thank you for all of you Produce Patrons out there who help provide the chimpanzees with much loved and unexpected gifts of fresh fruits and vegetables!

Side note – if anyone knows of a word that actually means “unexpected gift”, I would like to know! I might send you something as a thank you for your linguistic prowess.

Filed Under: Food, Honey B, Jamie, Jody, Missy, Negra, Sanctuary, Thanks Tagged With: animal protection, animal rescue, animal rights, Animal Welfare, chimp rescue, chimp sanctuary, chimpanzee, chimpanzee rescue, chimpanzee retirement, chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, chimpanzees, corn on the cob, primate rescue, produce patron

Grooming, planning, playing, napping

February 26, 2021 by J.B.

While we cleaned the playroom this morning, the Seven spent some time bonding on the Greenhouse platform. The chimps probably came together up top because it was warmer up there, but they may have realized that if they wanted to groom as a group they’d better gather around the immovable lump that is Negra. She’s happy to be groomed as long as it doesn’t involve getting out of bed. It may look like Foxie was excluded but individuals often tag out for brief periods only to tag back in later.

After cleaning was finished, the staff got together to discuss plans for enrichment in the new playrooms and greenhouses.

We consulted Mave first. It’s her house, after all. She just said to make sure there were lots of socks.

The climbing structures are starting to take shape. You can see the platforms, which will soon be filled in with composite decking, and some of the various branches. Later we’ll add fire hose vines and hammocks.

The playroom is split down the middle (with a double cage wall up above and a human hallway below) to accommodate two groups during introductions or, if necessary, on a permanent basis, so each side gets its own tree as well as its own set of stairs (for us humans and our elderly chimp friends).

With the playrooms nearing completion we’re excited to turn our attention to the greenhouses, which we plan to complete by the end of April. We’re looking forward to seeing the Three swing throughout the new spaces.

Chimps are pretty rough on their toys so strict quality control is important.

Case in point: Burrito was upside down and sideways all day on the caging and structures while playing with his caregivers.

Even though we filled up a stock tank with snow in the greenhouse, Burrito asked that Diana fetch him a fresh snow ball or two from just outside the door. Snow apparently tastes better when it is freshly hand-rolled by the artisan snow ball makers on staff.

And while he ate them, he tickled Diana’s hands with his toes.

While Burrito and Diana played, Missy decided it was time to head into the playroom and make a nest, so she grabbed an armful of blankets and headed for the door. But first she had to grab herself a snow snack.

Filed Under: Burrito, Caregivers, Construction, Enrichment Tagged With: chimpanzee, northwest, Play, rescue, Sanctuary

Burrito and Chad’s morning game

February 25, 2021 by Anna

Burrito is always happy to make sure that staff member Chad’s days are fully enriched!

Filed Under: Burrito, Caregivers, Sanctuary Tagged With: Burrito, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Sanctuary

Give Them a Show

February 24, 2021 by Kelsi

We often see the seven put on a show for the three and vice versa the three do big displays towards the seven. Some can be to show off or impress each other, some are to warn or threaten, and others might be because things were getting a little chummy and they wanted a reaction from someone on the other side. In the winter, we have to close the chute off at night. We tend to shift the three up into the mezzanine in the morning. That way we can clean the front rooms and chute right away so we can let the three have access to their outside enclosure as soon as possible. For the seven, we try to shift them into the front rooms or green house so we can clean the playroom first. This is my long-winded way of explaining that once we have finished cleaning the phase 1 front rooms and the playroom it is the first time the three and seven have seen each other since the day before. The playroom gives a great view of the chute. So, when the seven are shifted into their freshly clean playroom we often hear the chimps yelling or displaying at each other. It’s short lived. However, Jamie occasionally shows off a bit for Willy B and she definitely had his attention! Willy B is always stealing glances at Jamie, I mean who wouldn’t!

After her big display, it was time to settle into a good book, or two, or three!

And since I was there to hand her some books she agreed to have her photo taken.

It’s Wednesday, so we need some bonus photos!

Negra was the first one out this morning!

She was having a craving for fresh snow.

Jamie <3.

Jamie and Missy thinking about grabbing some snow snacks too.

I found Mave rolling around in this blanket.

I took this photo on Thursday or Friday when it was very cold. Honey B grabbed the biggest blanket and sat out in the chute.

Filed Under: Display, Honey B, Jamie, Latest Videos, Mave, Missy, Negra, Willy B Tagged With: chimp, chimp enrichment, chimpanzee, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, display, Honey B, Jamie, Mave, Missy, Negra, Willy B

Mave, Maeve, Meadhbh, Medb

February 23, 2021 by Chad de Bree

Scrolling across social media, I came across a page that dives deep into Irish sayings, names, language, traditions, etc. I’m a huge fan of learning about different cultures and languages. I guess that’s how I developed my interest in studying chimpanzee communication and cultures. It was the perfect blend of learning about two things I am genuinely interested in: cultures, language, and primatology. I digress though. On this page, the woman explained the history of the Irish name Medb (pronounced May•ve). It reminded me of this post Kelsi made back in 2019.

Since then, we have gained a few more followers who may not have seen that post, so I thought I would share it again.

Medb is an Old Gaelic word, which was a word for a Celtic wine similar to today’s mead that was drunk during celebrations. When applied as a name, it meant “she who intoxicates,” but more on this in a little bit. As the language progressed, the spelling changed to Meadhbh, though still pronounced the same. Though the pronunciation stayed the same, the spelling changed again to make it easier for English speakers to pronounce: Maeve and Mave.

In Irish mythology, Queen Medb of Connacht was a warrior queen. It was said Queen Medb would rob men of two-thirds of their valor after seeing her because of her beauty. Queen Medb also demanded three things from her suitors: be free of fear, free of meanness, and free of jealousy towards her.

Though Mave is not Queen Medb of Connacht, she does have some of these qualities. She steals the hearts of those who meet her, chimpanzee and especially humans, with her beauty. She also demands others to be free of fear, free of meanness, and free of jealousy towards her. The difference would be Mave is not trying to conquer and rule land like Queen Medb.

It’s easier to see when you spend most of the day with her. Here are some photos I was able to capture of (Queen) Mave today.

She had some fun playing with toys:

Also trying to play with the camera.

She also had a very intense play session with Honey B filled with foot grabs, play bites, and a lot laughter:

After her play session with Honey B, she assumed her one of her classic “Mave” poses, grasping her feet in the air while laying down. One of the signs she is very relaxed:

Then it was dinner time:

Mave, she who intoxicates us all.

Bonus photo of Annie watching it beginning to snow on Young’s Hill again today.

Filed Under: Honey B, Mave, Play, Sanctuary

Girls’ Club

February 22, 2021 by Katelyn

After catching Burrito enjoying his new fort on Saturday, the humans decided to christen it “Burrito’s Fort – No Girls Allowed.” Well, you might imagine that the girls had other thoughts!

Jamie is often more of the mindset of something along the lines of, “Jamie’s Property – Stay Out.” She LOVES a good fort and happily nested with it for awhile yesterday:

Burrito’s buddy, Chad, set it up again today, but Jody forged the “moat” and helped herself to the handful of forage items inside:

Nothing is sacred when you live with a chimpanzee family. 😉

Speaking of our fellas, next Sunday, March 1st, is Willy B’s 31st birthday!! We are already busy planning his celebration and have added some things to our Amazon Wishlist we think he might enjoy that *should* arrive just in time for his party! If you are interested and able to do a little birthday shopping, we’d so appreciate it!

And on the note of Wishlist requests, we just want to say once again, THANK YOU, to everyone who has helped us stock up on one of Foxie’s beloved dolls! It’s hard to express the lift in our hearts of being able to put out a call for Strawberry Shortcake dolls for Foxie (because *gasp* her favorite dolls are getting harder to find!) and receiving, literally, a mountain of them! Kelsi posted this photo last week and it’s grown since!

It’s hard to put into words the feeling of knowing how supported and loved these ten (soon to be sixteen!!) chimpanzees are and all that you have made, and continue to make, possible for them. Our hearts have gone out this week to many of our fellow primate sanctuaries in the south who have been deeply struggling in the midst of unprecedented winter storms. Every day that I read of all they face and all the support they’ve been receiving, it’s made me think of what an incredible feeling it is knowing the ones whose lives and well-being we dedicate our own lives to caring for, are surrounded and held up by a circle of love and support wider than you could ever have imagined. Be it the size of a tiny, 6″ doll, a new addition for six more chimpanzees to call their home, or the desperate need for help during an all encompassing emergency. Please don’t ever for one single second think any of it means anything less than the world to us. From our hearts, thank you for being there, in all the beautiful, kind and varied ways you are.

Filed Under: Dolls, Jamie, Jody, Sanctuary, Willy B

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