Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for April 2023

Easter Forages!

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Today’s forecast called for rain but it held off long enough to sneak in a quick breakfast forage for the Seven. Carrots, beets, Swiss chard, and potatoes were scattered across the hill.

Burrito (with Missy and Annie in the background):

Negra:

Foxie (with Annie in the background):

Jamie:

Missy:

Jamie, enjoying one of the purple potatoes she gathered outside:

Missy:

At lunch, the chimps enjoyed hard-boiled eggs with their veggies.

Jamie:

Missy:

Annie:

I shifted the Seven this morning so I didn’t get quite as many photos of the forage on the other side of the building, but we managed to snap a few.

Willy B:

Terry:

Cy:

Hello from CSNW’s newest caregiver, Sabrina

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Hello all, my name is Sabrina and I am the newest caregiver here at CSNW!

As a Pacific Northwest native, I decided last year it was finally time to return home in order to be closer to my friends and family.  Fortuitously, CSNW was in need of a new caregiver soon after my return home – it’s like everything aligned perfectly for me so I can continue to work with chimpanzees in sanctuary.

Unlike the other caregivers at CSNW, this sanctuary is entirely new to me since I’ve never volunteered or interned here before being hired on as caregiver. The last couple months I have had the pleasure of getting to know the chimps, the cattle, the humans and getting a lay of the land at the sanctuary

Prior to working with chimpanzees, I spent many years working with domestic animals, mostly dogs, in shelters and veterinary environments. In my 30’s I decided to return to school and obtained my B.A. in Anthropology from University of Massachusetts – Boston, which led me to an internship at Center for Great Apes in Florida. This was my first experience with great apes and I was instantly hooked! I was offered a job at Chimp Haven as soon as I graduated. I have worked with over 300 chimps in Louisiana over the last five years and during my time at Chimp Haven I filled several roles including Caregiver, Pharmacy Technician and Positive Reinforcement Training Coordinator for the Veterinary department; I’ve learned innumerable lessons from the chimps I’ve cared for and built enduring relationships over the years built on trust and respect and I am thrilled to be able to continue my work here at CSNW.

 

One more thing! Don’t forget to sign up for next Saturday’s Virtual Visit about medical care. It should be a fascinating look at the sanctuary’s veterinary care process.

Eye Contact

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Some primate species consider eye contact a direct threat to them. However, chimpanzees are not one of them. In fact, some chimpanzees, particularly some of those who live in captivity, may enjoy gazing into someone’s eyes. We have a few of those individuals here at CSNW…. please let me introduce you to Honey B, if you aren’t familiar with her intense stares.

Some staff has made jokes that Honey B knows our entire life story, our full social security numbers, and our darkest secrets, just by looking into our souls (see photo above). Sometimes, Honey B will stare into my eyes during a meal time, and I can’t help but chuckle at her intensity.

Other chimpanzees like Gordo or Willy B have a list of 1,000,000 other things they would rather do than gaze into my eyes. And that’s okay! Eye contact is different to everybody.

While working with chimpanzees, I have been taught to “look” but not “stare”, as to not make the chimps feel uncomfortable in their own home. Just like humans can feel someone staring at them, chimps can too!

First Looks

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One of my favorite parts of the morning routine is when we first open the door that leads to Young’s Hill. Some chimps like Burrito will run out into the enclosure with gusto, while others will take a moment to scan the horizon before setting out on an adventure.

Here Foxie, Annie and Jody take it all in.

Annie:

Foxie (and friends):

Serious Jody in Black and White:

Quality Time

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The past couple mornings we have found Mave’s group spending a lot of quality time with one another before breakfast. For chimps, especially Terry’s group, it’s important to strengthen bonds. A great way to make a friendship stronger is by grooming. Recently, this group has been having their ups and downs like most chimp groups do, but when we have a few calm mornings or afternoons, watching them play or groom feels very nice to see. It is crazy to think that it has been almost a year since this group was officially put together. What they have accomplished as a group is truly something to celebrate!

There is more social work to be done in the next years to come for them, but let’s give them a round of applause for what they have accomplished so far!

Here are some bonus photos of Foxie’s group!

Foxie with one of her dolls:

Annie in the raceway:

Jamie in the portrait studio:

I love Jamie’s side-eye:

New Spring

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Spring is known as a time for new beginnings. Though there aren’t any new beginnings, per se, there are some new things that have been seen around the Chimp House. Be sure to watch the video!

Also, here are some photos from today!

Gordo in the Riverview Greenhouse

Missy during a forage on Young’s Hill

Jamie and Burrito on Young’s Hill

Annie eating her bounty from the forage (note the pin headband in her pelvic pocket)

Annie and Missy watching as a raven collects the scraps left on Young’s Hill

Today is for Lisa Stuverud!

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Longtime donor Lisa Stuverud generously sponsored today, on her birthday, with this message of gratitude:

It’s been another trip around the sun ! Today my heart is full and I want to sponsor a day for everyone at CSNW with tremendous gratitude for the joy that was Missy’s first living tree climb and the shenanigans that was Honey B’s hose heist. CSNW sustains me and we are so blessed to be a part of it. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts !!

Missy and Honey B, mother and daughter, do share a certain confidence! Thank you for sponsoring today, and happy birthday from all of us, Lisa!

Interested in sponsoring a day of sanctuary for yourself or a loved one? It’s one of many fun ways to make a donation! Visit the donate page and scroll down for options.