Today was a Love a Chimpanzee Day for the books! Not only did Monica continue her tradition of generosity by paying for party supplies (including a bunch of stuff like scarves and giant stuffed animals that are not pictured here, but the Primate Awareness Network at Central Washington University also got involved and planned the party! It was bug themed and the food for the day included bugs on a log (celery with peanut butter and berries), whole sweet potatoes, watermelon radishes, kale, bok choy, and Swiss chard.
We didn’t get a lot of photos of all of the elements of the parties because the chimpanzees were a blur of excitement, but Kelsi and Anna got some great photos of the chimpanzees. There were so many, I had a difficult time selecting only a few.
Thank you to those who have already donated on my and Monica’s GiveBIG fundraising page in celebration of Love a Chimpanzee Day. Monica’s matching donation is live, so your donations will be doubled.
Huge hugs of thanks to Monica, and Happy Love a Chimpanzee Day to everyone!
Gordo enjoying Swiss Chard:
Terry enjoying bok choy:
Beautiful Rayne:
Some set-up shots of creative party elements that the Primate Awarness Network made for the chimps:
Negra digging into a box and later eating some greens on the hill:
Willy B with the big party banner:
Missy slack-lining and carrying sweet potatoes:
Burrito with a watermelon radish and bok choy then “hanging out”:
Annie with some kale:
Jamie was the first on the hill and collected as much bok choy as she could:
A goodnight photo of Mave grooming Honey B while Honey B was in her nest:
Love this!
Question, and I don’t know why it didn’t dawn on me before now.
I know termites on logs are a huge protein snack for wild chimps, along with honey. Do you not do that sort of enrichment for them, or is it just that we don’t get to see it? Now that they’re in sanctuary, have you noticed if their appetites for wild food have changed?
Cheers. (Did you see my tag on IG?)
Hi Carla René,
They have the termite mound with pb, and (maybe you missed it) there’s a video of Jamie harvesting some wasp larvae from somewhere on the hill, with Missy hanging around waiting for any leftovers. And then there’s the story of…(ulp) Neggie and the frog….
Happy chimps, happy day!
Thank you, Monica!
Diana, aren’t you due some “happy birthday” wishes soon? Or is it Monica today, and you a bit later? Forgive me for not remembering
I see Kathleen remembers (of course she does!)
Happy birthday to Monica, and to Diana in advance!
That photo of Beezus at the end is too funny …beyond breaking the fourth wall à la ‘”Dejeuner sur l’herbe”, it’s just such a Beezus thing to do, staring into the camera while someone else grooms you.
I am glad to see that Cherish-a-Chimper Day appeared to be celebrated in grand style by the 16 pan Troglodytes at the Sanctuary (I trust that the Moo Crew were invited to soiree on their own terms and terra firma), but that last photograph, of Mave kissing Honey B goodnight after a long-day’s festivites takes my breath away. Absolutely beautiful, and priceless.
Big thank you to Monica. The chimps all looked like that were having the time of their lives. Just very happy pictures. Well, aren’t we all happy when we are enjoying good food ?
It looks like a good time was had by all. The picture of Mave grooming Honey B is so sweet.
This day! Simply fabulous in every way. Thank you Monica for being you. I hope your birthay was as joyful as the chimps party. I raised a glass in your honor and sent wishes out into universe for you to receive all the love you give, tenfold, throughout the year.
To the creative Condylognatha Crew at CWU…your decorations and enrichment bugs fit the season so perfectly and added so much spark (and love) to this very special celebration. Pure genius! Made my day.
What a joy to see all these photos (especially that last one of Burrito “hanging” out!). Mave tending to Honey B in her blanketed nest is THE perfect ending to what appears to be a super perfect day.
What an extraordinarily fun day! I’m with everyone else in loving the picture of Mave grooming Honey B. Just lovely.