Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for December 2021

Lazy days filled with ice

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Today was more on the chilly side, but that didn’t stop some of the chimpanzees in Jody’s group from making their way out to Young’s Hill to collect ice treats from the tires and platforms! They spent a good amount of time out there looking for ice. The rest of the day was spent lounging around in cozy nests up high.

Jody running back to eat her ice in the Greenhouse with Burrito behind her.

Foxie enjoying her ice up high.

Annie stayed out the longest finding all the hidden ice.

Missy also took her ice back to the Greenhouse.

Foxie and her doll hurrying back inside to where it was warm.

Over on the other side of the chimp house, I found Mave relaxing in her Greenhouse all day. Every time I went around to take photos she was there, but in a different spot. Rayne’s group spent most of the afternoon having grooming parties on the platforms in their Greenhouse. It was pretty warm in all the Greenhouses today with the sun and winter panels up.

It was the perfect day to relax and lounge around!

The Eternal Dilemma

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Each morning, Negra is forced to choose between her two greatest loves: food and bed.

The arguments in favor of food are myriad. Let’s start with the obvious – we all need to eat to survive. So put a point on the board for breakfast. In fact, maybe this isn’t such a difficult decision after all.

On the other hand, bed is really soft and comfortable.

But food is so much more than just sustenance. Nothing tastes better than fresh fruit, peanuts, and a hard boiled egg from the caregivers’ rescued hens.

Bed is warm.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skip breakfast and you’ll get off on the wrong foot.

But you’re already in bed! And you know, Newton’s first law and all…

A little sunshine along with breakfast doesn’t hurt either, does it?

Outside has snakes and the sun shines perfectly well through windows. That’s the whole point of windows.

The longest we go between meals is the time between dinner and the next day’s breakfast. By morning, our bodies need to refuel.

Bears go a whole winter without eating…

 

Front Room Play Sessions

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Despite having additional larger indoor and outdoor spaces to choose from, most of the chimpanzees absolutely love hanging out in Front Room 7. This space has a nice view of the human hallway (so you can be the first to spot the next meal service) and we almost always find someone nesting or lounging in this area. This morning, Front Room 7 was the prime play spot for members of Cy’s group.

Happy Birthday, Eric!

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Our thanks to Eric Dodge, long-time friend of the chimps, who has for some time been kindly choosing to celebrate his birthday by sponsoring a day of sanctuary for them.

Happy Birthday from all of us here, Eric! We hope you have a fantastic day and truly appreciate you holding the chimps in your heart and helping to make a difference in their lives.

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:

Jamie, Burrito and Missy:

Negra:

Burrito:

Annie and Missy:

Jody, Missy, Annie, Burrito and Foxie:

She’ll Let You Know

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This video is a perfect example of how Jamie gestures to let you know what she wants. If you couldn’t tell Jamie was a bit busy managing the humans today, as per usual. I love Jamie because she isn’t afraid to let you know what she wants. She obviously has no problem telling us what boots she wants us to wear, what books to give her, which piece of pepper she wants, or get the gator now! Most of Jamie’s communication is through gestures like pointing or slight head nods. In the video you can see I had picked out a boot in hopes that it was the one she had in mind. Sometimes we get lucky on the first try, other times you have to keep trying them on. She usually has a favorite pair that we try first! If she doesn’t like the boot, book, or whatever it is Jamie wants she will keep pointing until we get the right one. Occasionally she likes the boot, but wants a different person to put it on! It’s the best feeling when you have been trying to figure out what Jamie wants and then all of the sudden you get the combo! It’s a total rush because all we want to do is please her! Finding out what Jamie wants is just a small way to make her life better and we are happy to do it.

It’s December 1st which means we will start slowly adding Christmas items to the wish list, so keep your eyes peeled!

Foxie with Dora the Explorer:

Happy December Birthday Wishes!

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How is it possible?! December birthday celebrations are upon us! Happy Birthday, December friends! We are so grateful for you and hope your special days are filled with magic and wonder.

With so many residents who call the sanctuary home, December is a rare instance in which you folks aren’t sharing your birthday month with a sanctuary birthday twin. For now, April and December are the only months we don’t have birthdays or anniversaries here at the sanctuary, but you know the chimpanzees, they (and we!) always have reason to celebrate, thanks to you.

And of special note, is that you *do* share your birthday month with a member of our extended sanctuary family, Foxie’s daughter, Angie (the 1st), who will be turning 34 on December 21st. Angie has a wonderful home at Save the Chimps in Florida (as do six more of the now adult children of Annie, Jody and Negra) and according to their website, she resides in the same family as Annie’s son, Virgil!

Happy Birthday, Angie!! (Photo credit: Save the Chimps):

Angie’s mama, Foxie:

If ever there were a being full of magic and wonder, it’s Foxie. And while December falls in a season that means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, we want you to know how much we appreciate and celebrate you and we hope that each of you has a day full of Foxie-style enchantment and joy. Do a pirouette, hang upside down, go on an adventure, play bite a friend (well, okay, that last one might not go over so well, but hey, it’s your birthday, celebrate how you like).