Archives for December 2021

A Window to New Friendships

December 21, 2021 by Chad de Bree

Introductions between Cy and Willy B’s groups have been progressing along. Today we decided to do something new and different. There are panels between the two greenhouses that provide a visual barrier between the two groups. We removed one of the panels so the two groups can now see and safely interact with each through this portal.

When the groups were given access their greenhouses, Lucky and Rayne were the first ones to notice. Rayne waited around the portal for some time, but nobody showed up. It took a while for Willy B and Mave to realize there was a panel missing. As with new things, a lot of excitement can happen. Usually a lot of screaming and displaying. Surprisingly, there wasn’t as much as we expected. There was mostly positive interactions.

The paneling is located on the second story of the greenhouses, so getting photos up there is almost impossible especially in the winter when the outside paneling is up to keep the chimpanzees warm. I was able to catch a couple of photos from the ground floor of Willy B during one of his displays.

Willy B looks at his neighbors looking at him.

He begins to work up his display with hooting.

He stands bipedally and become piloerect.

Here are some bonus photos of Gordo and Cy enjoying some snow snacks!

Happy Winter Solstice!

December 21, 2021 by Katelyn

Many thanks to Dylan Most who sponsored this day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and bovines and wishes all, “Happy Winter Solstice!”

This special day, when the wheel turns from autumn to winter (or spring to summer, as the hemispherical case may be for our southerly friends) and the gradual return of light begins. It’s difficult to remember that we technically haven’t already been in winter for some time here at the sanctuary. The past couple of days have found some of the chimpanzees enjoying frequent on-demand snow snack service from the humans, others snuggled close together napping and grooming in cozy nests, and yet others still enjoying their new found discovery of the movie, “Ice Age” (shhh, don’t tell Willy B the neighbors were watching his stories!).

Happy Solstice, Merry Winter, Dylan, and all! May your days be full of the coziness, comfort, magic and adventure that you make possible for all at this beloved sanctuary home.

Nearby mountains as seen from the winter barn

It Flakes One to Snow One

December 20, 2021 by Anthony

The Pacific Northwest is projected to experience a snowy La Niña winter, but I personally wasn’t expecting to have this much snowfall so early. Today’s local forecast predicted only a couple inches of precipitation yet we just shoveled at least triple that amount from the same sidewalks we just cleared yesterday evening.

The chimps are warm, cozy and entertained (hanging out in their heated indoor areas by choice), the cattle are fed and dry in their winter paddock and barn, and the other caregivers are busy finishing up the daily tasks. There’s also a formidable amount of shoveling and plowing to do outside so today’s blog is unapologetically brief!

As much as I love plowing the driveway with the new tractor, the brightest moment of my week actually occurred yesterday afternoon while doing farm chores. As I drove out to muck the cattle barn, I spotted a distinct trail of animal footprints crossing the pasture. The tracks had the telltale shape and gait of a coyote’s, registering four clawed digits from each paw. Of all the region’s native carnivores, coyotes are perhaps the best suited for living in proximity to humans; their adaptability makes them one of my favorite animals to observe and learn from. I followed the creature’s path across the driveway and stopped where its trail plunged into the brush, eventually crossing the nearby highway and descending towards the wooded riverbank below. As I tend to do, I took a photograph to share with you all.

Here are a couple more shots from yesterday:

Icicle season

December 19, 2021 by Sam Jones

Negra, with Jamie behind her, was the first one by the door today when I gave her group access to Young’s Hill. She spent a good amount of time enjoying handfuls of snow!

Jamie, Annie, and Foxie getting their turn for some snow.

After we cleaned the seven’s playroom we filled up one of their tubs with snow and put some icicles in it. We had to to tell volunteer Lisa to save some for the chimps, since she wanted to eat it all.