Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for June 2021

Grabbing Toes

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We are still in the midst of the heat wave. Thankfully, today is not in the hundreds, still hot, but there is a nice breeze going. With warm weather means lazy play sessions, even Burrito has slowed down just a touch. Today, while Sofia and I were finishing up cleaning the playroom we found Annie laying on the cool floor while Missy’s toes dangled down below. Annie was grabbing Missy’s toes, fingers, and giving her little pokes while Missy sat above her on a barrel. It was a lazy game for Annie and Missy, but it was all they could muster. When these two really play it might start out slow, but eventually it ends with them laughing, wrestling, and running around grabbing toes. As you will see in these photos we are all preserving our energy. Don’t worry though chimps and humans have had lots of fluids and Gatorade not to mention lots of fans and misters going too!

As I drove up the driveway to the chimp house this morning Happy Club popped into my mind. Some of you blog followers are familiar with it, but if you read Diana’s blog a while back. What jogged my memory was seeing 4 or the 6 new chimps watching me pull up the driveway. All of them in the greenhouse enjoying the warm summer breeze. It brought a smile to my face. So, I thought I would share a few happy things over the last week.

  1. Well, first of all I am so happy to have the Lucky 6 home! The fact that they are settling in so well also makes me overjoyed.
  2. Terry and Cy are absolute hams! I am truly smitten.
  3. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of being in Rayne’s company. I was cleaning GH3 and she was in GH2. I sat with her for a while. She is very sweet.
  4. Missy dangling her foot in front of Annie as a taunt to play.
  5. Last week Negra requested that J.B., Diana, Anna, and I all dance for her. We immediately did as we were told. It makes me smile because that is what sanctuary is supposed to be, right? Negra tells us what she wants and then we do it :).
  6. Dora. Just seeing Dora makes me happy.

Burrito staying cool in his castle.

Gordo cooling off in his favorite spot.

Rayne popping in to say hi.

Honey B hanging out in her favorite spot, the chute.

Jamie melting into her nest.

This heat hasn’t slowed Terry down!


One Hot Day

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Today was the hottest day in our forecast reaching triple digits as the Pacific Northwest is currently trapped in a Heat Dome. As the temperature began to rise, caregivers were quick to offer the chimpanzees some solace in the this scorching weather. There were tons of icy treats, cool refreshing drinks, fans, and misters for the chimpanzees to enjoy.

Burrito, Jamie, and Jody enjoy a pool filled with Gatorade and ice inside their playroom.

Willy B also enjoyed ice in a Rock Around toy.

Mave (I personally think) had the best idea. Find the best place to lay down next to a sandbox (minus the sand) filled with Gaotrade and ice, take a few drinks, and lay the ice cubes on the floor next to you and enjoy at your leisure.

As we are still trying to get to know the new group of chimpanzees, we were curious what their decisions would be. For the most part, most of them have been spending a lot of time in their greenhouses usually grooming or napping.

Rayne and Gordo taking it easy in the shade.

Dora sitting in the shady spot right underneath the greenhouse platform.

Gordo on the same log amongst the bamboo with the stem from his breakfast bananas.

As the day began to come to an end, I was able to gather these last minute photos of how some of the chimpanzees were dealing with the last minute heat.

Negra ate her portion of dinner bell peppers inside.

Willy B, Honey B, and Mave spent the rest of the afternoon in a grooming party inside.

Can you spot everyone in this photo?

And Dora enjoying her evening food puzzle, a Kong, inside one of her playrooms.

As a bonus, a photo from yesterday I was able to get of Terry with fistfuls of beets and carrots.

And as one final bonus, a photo of Lucky (left) and Dora (right) exploring their greenhouse on the day they arrived here.

Comin’ in HOT

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Hey everyone! It’s been a long week so far.

For one thing, the scorching heat is  r e l e n t l e s s .

Today brought record-setting temperatures to Oregon and Washington. Tomorrow will have more of the same. For comparison, it’s hotter than Guy Fieri’s wardrobe over here.

For actual quantitative reference, tomorrow’s forecast shows Cle Elum being 110 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter than it’s ever been in the state of Florida (109F).

That’s correct. Our town nestled among the snow-capped Central Cascades will have higher temperatures than they’ve EVER HAD on ANY DATE in FLORIDA. It will also be hotter than it’s ever been in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and at least fifteen other U.S. states and territories. Tomorrow would be the hottest day ever in Washington… if we hadn’t already broken that record today.

To cope, our staff has been closely monitoring the doors and windows, cranking all the electric fans, and consuming a steady stream of popsicles, sports drinks, and good ol’ fashioned water. As all the smart people say, hydrate to dominate, baby!

Despite the sweltering heat, we’re excited to report that all SIXTEEN chimpanzee residents are doing well, staying hydrated, and keeping cool. Of course, those sixteen residents include the six newest arrivals: Cy, Dora, Gordo, Lucky, Rayne and Terry.

This group of adult chimps has been called “The Lucky Six” during the campaign to send them to sanctuary, but we’ll also likely refer to them as “Cy’s Group” since he seems to be their undisputed chief. While our own medical and caregiving records have less mutable designations for each group (e.g., Group C), it will be nice to have an informal and familiar way to specify which group we’re talking about.

We’re still getting to know the six chimps in Cy’s group, but it’s already evident that they all have unique personalities and complex social dynamics. As is tradition, we’ll be shining a virtual spotlight on each individual over the next few months so that you can all get to know them as well. In case you missed it, Kelsi announced their arrival and posted a few portraits on Saturday, and Katelyn followed up with more photographs in yesterday’s post (which was dedicated to those who cared and advocated for the six newcomers at their previous home). For now, we’ll continue to share what we can on the blog when we’re not busy taking care of chimps!

For today’s blog, I threw together a video using clips that our staff have recorded over the past few days. We look forward to sharing more in the near future, so please stay tuned and be patient! The new guys are amazing and we can’t wait to tell you more about them!

Happy Birthday, Harold!

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Many thanks to Linda Brown for sponsoring a day of sanctuary in honor of Harold Brown for his birthday!

Happy Birthday, Harold! We hope it’s the best one yet with a wonderful day of celebration!

Burrito knows a thing or two about celebrations. In fact, I think he just celebrates every moment of the day in all his joyful shenanigans.

Negra and Burrito:

Jamie and Burrito:

For the Lucky Six’s Lucky Caregivers

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It’s hard to know where to begin in sharing our first full day with the “Lucky Six”! (It’s also hard to know where to begin with what’s left of my heat-sizzled mind at the end of this day so bear with me! 😉 ).

As many of you are aware, have so loyally been following along with us, and ultimately, made possible after all these months of planning, Cy, Rayne, Gordo, Terry, Lucky and Dora arrived home late yesterday afternoon, from their former home at the now closed Wildlife Waystation in California. (We will be sharing many more details and video of their trip once we gather ourselves!). All of us here have been eagerly looking at their photos and learning as much as we can about them, but I can say as we all stood waiting to greet them, when the trailer and drivers Project Chimps graciously provided for their transport pulled into the driveway, each one felt our hearts and eyes swelled. What an incredible journey! What an incredible next chapter of their lives. And ours, as well.

Because the six will remain in quarantine for their first 30 days here, two caregivers will work with them each day, while the remaining caregivers continue to care for the seven and the three. Anthony and I shared today with the six and let me tell you, it’s been a pure delight and privilege being able to have the day getting to know and care for the Lucky Six while they rest from their trip and take in their new home. Everyone seems to be adjusting well so far. And while we are still learning each of their personalities of course, what I most wanted to share are photos of these very special chimpanzee people for all of you who made this new chapter in their lives possible, but especially for the caregivers at Wildlife Waystation who have cared for, and loved, these chimpanzees for the majority of their lives so far.

As fellow caregivers having the great privilege of caring for chimpanzees and knowing full well the amazing folks they are, our hearts twist up knowing how profoundly difficult watching them go would be. They were cared for and loved every single day by you and we’re so grateful for the privilege of being able to work together to provide them a home when they needed one. While we know nothing much eases the grief of seeing them go, we hope that in knowing Cy, Rayne, Lucky, Gordo, Terry and Dora are already so very loved, and that you have our promise that we will care for them from our hearts, for all their days forward, it will help ease your hearts. And theirs, for we know they miss you, too. Thank you for taking such good care of them. We already cherish each one of them.

Anthony and I teamed up on photos today so here’s are some first captures of these beautiful chimpanzees!

Sweet, darling, Dora! She spent the majority of the day in one of the greenhouses nesting and quietly taking everything in. We were really delighted that she decided to join the Big Boys, Cy, Terry and Gordo, for dinner and did not hesitate to hold her own and push them aside for drinks of Gatorade. It was pretty cute seeing her tiny self (we find she reminds us of Foxie) sitting next to these huge guys!

Handsome Gordo greeting Dora:

Dora was curious about happenings in her new home and came over to check out Anthony and I as we cleaned one of the playrooms and Anthony took this photo of her and I getting to know each other – hard not to *swoon* over this endearing lady. Insider tip! She rubs her toes together like Foxie!

Gordo!! The feet!! Handsome Gordo has been on the quiet side today, watching and listening to his often rowdy neighbors (the three!) and the new to him humans. We often found him endearingly spread eagle in the cooler playroom, seemingly completely relaxed and dozing, perhaps from the long trip and the hot day:

Beautiful Rayne! I was able to spend a fair amount of time with her today which was so special – she is so beautiful and exudes such grace and dignity. Gordo spent a lot of time with Rayne today, grooming and just resting near her. Who could blame him? I find her very comforting to be with:

Here she is exploring the new greenhouses, with the valley and river below. Rayne’s been dragging blankets around to nest with and at one point we saw her on a mission with a giant slinky accessory around her arm:

Here’s a few people checking out the neighbors (and vice versa) as the seven foraged for lunch on Young’s Hill:

Lucky! Anthony captured these beautiful photos of her. Lucky was on the more elusive side today, choosing to spend most of her time relaxing and grooming at the top of the greenhouses, taking in the views. She did come down and hang out seemingly for the sake of hanging out and it really makes us smile how much she resembles her brother Cy. What a gift to have them both here.

This has me just now realizing we didn’t capture any photos of Cy! Wow, he is a handsome guy! And though he remained fairly mellow and quiet all day, when he decided to respond to Willy B’s occasional bursts of rowdiness, his sheer size and strength was awe-inspiring and it was easy to see why he has the role as alpha male of the six. When chimpanzees display, it’s common for them to use objects that increase the noise and intimidation levels. But Cy’s displays were all Cy. He was displaying in the top of playroom 3 while we cleaned in the top of playroom 2 and the entire floor was shaking just from him stomping his feet as he walked past!

But Cy is a sweet, playful, endearing guy. Cy has his sights on a couple of the humans so far, who, when they enter the room, he absolutely lights up to see! It must makes your heart burst. We will do our best to grab some photos of him tomorrow!

This brings us to this guy! Terry!! There aren’t enough words for all the amazingness Terry holds. He’s been our constant shadow and delight today. Terry is definitely currently playing the role of social butterfly and loves engaging with all his new human friends as much as we love engaging with him. Such a sweet, gentle giant of a man. We were marveling at how gentle he is with us given how big he is, but let me tell you, when he’s displaying in response to the neighbors’ displays, this guy will make your eyes pop. He does a phenomenal running jump-double kick at the doors and windows (just like Foxie, but with *just* a bit more weight to throw around!).

I just love this!

But two seconds after he jump kicks the door, he’s right back wanting to play with his human friends and offer kisses. Or licks, as the case may be:

Working with the six in quarantine today, I wasn’t able to get photos of the Mave, Willy B or Honey B, but they’ve been enjoying time in their outdoor chute and Willy B in particular has been enjoying trying to get a response from his new neighbors by exhibiting some amazing drumming skills on the connecting metal doors.

And our beloved seven, they enjoyed a lunch forage on the hill, but spent much of the day engaged in cooler, summertime enrichment activities inside, like pools of water filled with grapes and pomegranate seeds. Chad shared this photo of Missy, Jody and Jamie and was describing their unique styles of collecting seeds and grapes and this photo sums them up. Missy (left) goes for a bobbing-for-apples style, Jody (middle) is more delicate in her choices, and Jamie (right), well, Jamie just scoops as many as she can at once. Naturally.

Goodnight for now, all. We can’t wait to share more with you about all 16 (!!) members of this incredible chimpanzee family! And please remember, the Lucky Six were just one family of several who still remain at the now closed Wildlife Waystation in California and are anxiously awaiting their new homes at accredited, experienced sanctuaries and they still need our help! You can find out more information and how to help here: ChimpsInNeed.org

They’re Here! They’re Here!

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Today was a wild and crazy day, but they are here. They are home! Words can not describe how excited we are to get to know Cy, Terry, Gordo, Lucky, Rayne, and Dora’s personalities more. For right now they are settling in well. I have to warn you, Cy is going to steal your heart, well Terry too. And maybe Lucky. Oh, Rayne and Gordo! Well, and then there is Dora. She might steal your heart too. We are so exhausted so us humans are going to go home and sleep!  We will share more tomorrow :).

Lucky was the first to go into the playroom. She so brave and after exploring Playroom 3 she ran straight out into Green House 3.

Rayne <3

Terry <3

Fri-yay

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At this point of the week everybody is taking it easy and getting ready for the next set of even warmer days. With a high of 91°F, the chimps have been mostly relaxing and the humans have been hydrating and trying to keep cool. Caregivers Kelsi, Sam and I even ran across the sprinklers to refresh ourselves for a little bit. But, let me show you what some of the chimps were up to today.

Jamie relaxing in one of the Front Rooms this morning before temps started going up.

Only one more photo and then some shoe grooming in the Green House. OK? OK. I think she approves of my after cleaning shoes.

I got spotted by Burrito while taking photos in the Green House. This can only mean: IT IS CHASE TIME.

Jody in the Play Room.

Honey B’s gaze reaches ones soul.

Willy B is all about that screen time.