Archives for November 2022

Recess with Gordo!

November 17, 2022 by Anna

Yesterday, as the big group of 9 settled in for their usual after-breakfast naps, Gordo had other ideas! The view from the interior of the Mezzanine provides an interesting glimpse into the upstairs activities in the Lupine Playroom.

What’s in Your Pocket?

November 16, 2022 by Kelsi

I wanted to share a cute quick story from yesterday and today, which fits perfectly with our Comfort & Joy, the Quid Pro Throw online auction theme! Yesterday, we noticed at all points of the day Annie was carrying one particular blanket in her pelvic pocket all day. I was on the other side of the building cleaning most of the day, but at any point I saw Annie, she had this blanket in her pocket. I was finally able to snap a few pictures at the end of the evening. I asked Chad, who was lead in Annie’s side and he said he observed her with it a lot too! When Annie came to lunch today she had a new blanket in her pelvic pocket that she then proceeded to carry around for the day. I can only assume that the blankets Annie carried around seemed to bring her some sort of comfort, but we can never really say for sure.

The auction is going on now! You can bid on items for the chimps or yourself. Don’t miss out on all the fun, but don’t out bid me ;)!

Annie enjoying her evening popsicle with her blanket in tote:

Annie at lunch today eating avocado and holding a blanket in her pelvic pocket:

Breakfast Time

November 15, 2022 by Chad de Bree

Please join us for the excitment of breakfast!

Bonus Photos:

Foxie eating her mini-peppers at lunch with a view

Rayne trying to get in a pre-lunch nap

Beautiful Dora

Burrito gauging how to retrieve the treats from a feeder puzzle

Skips Don’t Lie

November 14, 2022 by Anthony

Wherever, whenever, Gordo’s ready to play chase together.

The playful “bunny hop” that Gordo performs during games of chase is perfection. The hop has been mentioned on the blog before (1, 2, 3), but I wanted to share some additional video clips so you all could see Gordo’s iconic moves up close.

Gordo has some “wallflower” tendencies; it’s not unusual for him to hang out at the group’s periphery when he wants some quiet time. Despite this aloof nature, we’ve discovered that Gordo can be coaxed into goofing around by his companions and caregivers. This gradual process begins with him sitting as stoically as possible, gazing back as we make playful gestures in his direction. Gordo’s poker face slowly begins to crack with anticipation; he often tips his hand by scratching his torso or letting out an anxious yawn. Suddenly, he bursts forward with a dramatic “bunny hop”, launching himself into a rowdy game of chase.

Instead of sprinting gracefully, however, Gordo tends to lackadaisically skip from one corner of the room to the other. He looks back at us, we pursue, and the dance goes on until one (or both) of us get winded.

Hop. Skip. Repeat.

The Comfort & Joy of Sanctuary

November 13, 2022 by Grace

Here at CSNW, we are fully aware of the unique nature of our positions. We care for 16 extremely intelligent captive chimpanzees (and four lovely cattle, of course, but today we are focused on the chimps) that have spent their lives in captivity by no fault of their own. Although everyone’s individual background is a little bit different, all of our residents have spent a significant amount of time in biomedical research laboratories. We see the long-term effects of this unusual and unfortunate upbringing every day, and we work extra hard to provide stimulating enrichment items to bring them as much happiness and joy as we possibly can!

It is no easy task to find engaging items for 16 unique personalities and, naturally, everyone here has their own preferences. Gordo, for example, is known for his significant loathing of firehose knots. He finds zero joy in the un-knotting of the firehose, even with yummy nuts inside, and vastly prefers paper braids. Honey B and Negra are both known around these parts for their mattress-sized nests, and they both incorporate our large wolf blankets when they can. Jamie, of course, loves cowboy boots and magazines that feature Mummies (who doesn’t), while Foxie prefers troll dolls over everything. Burrito usually always has a wooden block or two and boy does he love when the days enrichment is Giant Kongs. It’s pretty normal to hear and / or see him dragging one around with him everywhere he goes and he gets quite a lot of joy out of bouncing on top of them (you read that right). Cy enjoys a good magazine (as long as it doesn’t include flannel, pink pigs, rhinos, or brightly colored furniture) and Willy B can often be found watching some show on a caregivers phone (propped up outside of the caging).

I’ve only listed out half of our residents preferences and already feel like I’m writing a book. So, you may be thinking, OK- cool! But… why? What does this have to do with me?

Fantastic question!!

We rely on you, our amazing supporters, to help us provide the level of care these individuals deserve- including providing the items that keep them mentally stimulated and that they adore! You can help us do exactly this by participating in our upcoming auction (thanks to our brilliant supporter, Monica Best). Our Comfort & Joy, the Quid Pro Throw online auction is two-fold, you will be able to bid on items for the chimps (i.e. giant kongs for Bubba!) and items for yourself! As the holiday season draws near, what better time to do some shopping for loved ones (or for yourself, no judgement) of unique items that also supports a non-profit?!

The auction will go live in just a few days- at 9:00am PT on November 15th and will close at 6:00pm PT on November 30th- but you can go ahead and register today! Check out more on the auction and what can be bid on here, and let us know in the comments if you have any questions.

In the meantime, here are some photos of little moments of comfort & joy in the chimp house today. 🙂

Lucky, wadge-ing some paper she found: