Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for June 2023

Burrito’s Ball

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A few days ago, Grace posted a blog about Burrito having the time of his life with a scooter. In true Burrito fashion, he’s always up to something new and being silly. With that said, yesterday, I caught Burrito playing with an orange ball, which typically is ignored by him and his group members. Watching Burrito play and have fun is always one of my favorite things, as I’m sure it is all of yours too.

Today, it’s been quite warm, although nothing compared to last June’s high temperatures, so we put out some ice blocks for Jamie’s group. I’ve never seen Jamie so excited. She practically screamed when she saw me bring them out. Her enthusiasm didn’t stop for at least an hour. All six of the chimps took turns with the 3 blocks we put out. You will even see Missy in the video walk away with one, which she took up for her and Annie. Such a good friend!

Today is the last day to vote for us as the Best Nonprofit In the PNW! We’re listed under Services -> Nonprofits, so be sure to vote before midnight tonight. Vote here!

Bray all Day and a Special Guest

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As Kelsi blogged yesterday, we are finally comfortable with giving both groups of chimpanzees access to their respective outdoor enclosures at the same time! Today we gave both groups access to Young’s Hill and The Bray first thing in the morning and things couldn’t be calmer out there.

Gordo and Rayne even chose to eat breakfast outside:

 

In other news, the chimps received a special guest visitor today. Former staff caregiver Sam is in town to visit some of her favorite people (human and non-human)!

Just a quick reminder! We’re still hiring. Check out our website for more details about the Full-Time Medical-Veterinary Assistant/Chimpanzee Caregiver position and don’t forget to share the post with your friends!

 

Big Day on the Bray

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Today was a big stepping stone for all the residents at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. We felt that all the chimps on both sides of the building were ready to be out in their respective outdoor areas at the same time. For those who may not be familiar, Foxie’s group has a two acre outdoor habitat called Young’s Hill and Rayne’s group has a newly built outdoor habitat called The Bray. These areas are two separate spaces where the chimps can go outside as they please all day and when they look up there are no bars above their heads. We had been alternating access until Rayne’s group seemed comfortable outside and had a good understanding of the double electric fence. Until today!! In unknown situations we often plan in case something turns into an emergency, but we really just anticipate that there may be a lot of yelling back and forth or displaying and we just hoped for the most anticlimactic scenario, which luckily for us, it was sooo anticlimactic. Both groups were so calm and seemed to act like they have been doing this all along. What were we so worried about?! However, just because it was calm didn’t mean they didn’t interact or notice each other!

Gordo seemed to be mesmerized by Foxie, obviously, look at her! He was a little pilo and couldn’t take his eyes off her. And that cute little Foxie was just confidently strutting her stuff around Young’s Hill. Foxie was so brave, not a hair standing on end, she was even going for a perimeter walk on her own for a bit which Gordo seemed to be kind of following her from the Bray. We weren’t sure Willy B was even paying attention enough to notice Jamie’s group had access to Young’s Hill, but maybe 7 to 10 minutes later he spotted Jamie and was mesmerized, just like Gordo! Willy B was even venturing out onto the grass to get a better look, but Jamie was playing it cool and pretending she didn’t notice. Honestly, it was great to see both groups out foraging and not reacting to each other! Obviously, every day will be different with different reactions, but this was a great way to start!

Gordo watching the neighbors, specifically Foxie from afar:

Willy B realizing Jamie is on Young’s Hill:

Jamie foraging on Young’s Hill and pretending not to notice Willy B:

Terry and Rayne foraging on the Bray and spying on Jamie’s group:

Rayne:

Terry on Esher for a better view:

Cy could not be bothered, he was just enjoying the forage:

I will leave you with Bubba <3:

For Ellen

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Long-time friend of the sanctuary, Meg Lunnum, also sponsored a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees today, in memory of her mother, Ellen:

“June 28 would have been my Mother’s 100th birthday. She has been gone 10 years and I miss her so much.”

Thank you, Meg, for sharing such a special day of remembrance with the chimps. Our thoughts are with you today as you celebrate your mother. What a wonderful legacy, her life continuing to make such a difference in the lives of so many. Happy 100th Birthday, Ellen. <3

Negra:

Missy:

Her daughter, Honey B, taken (unintentionally) several months apart by different caregivers!:

Rayne (Honey B’s half-sister):

Burrito:

Happy Birthday, Gaynell!

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Many thanks to Gaynell Schenck for graciously sharing her special day with the chimpanzees today!

“June 28 is my birthday, so I am celebrating by sponsoring a Day of Sanctuary to be enjoyed by all the chimps, but especially Cy. I was a literature major in college and just can’t get over how intently he ‘reads’ his magazines. I will send some to him as soon as I remove all those staples.”

Happy Birthday, Gaynell! Cy is a special guy for sure. He would probably hope you get to spend the day reading, eating good snacks and having some peace and quiet. But however you choose to celebrate, we hope it’s a wonderful day for you! 🙂

Jamie and her beloved Lucy the bonobo book:

Rayne:

Maybe Cy’s bibliophile tendencies are rubbing off on his group members (Rayne in background):

Gordo:

Cy:

Of course, Burrito would make other suggestions on how to spend your day…

The Queen Has Spoken

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Initially, I had today’s blog all planned out in my head. I was going to write about food peering, a behavior where a chimpanzee stares intensely at the food another is eating in hopes of that individual sending some their way. I was inspired to write about such topic based on this photo I got yesterday of Willy B food peering at Honey B for her coconut.

However, as I went to take some photos during lunch service, Negra had other plans for her subject. During lunch, Negra had me stand at the corner and rub her back during the whole lunch service plus some. And to clarify, by “rubbing her back” I mean with one of our approved safe physical contact methods called Knuckle Rub.

That coupled with a biweekly staff meeting, I was not able to have enough time to write out a lengthy blog or get photos of some food peering. The Queen has spoken and I, her dutiful servant, must oblige.

Here are the very few photos I was able to get today:

Foxie and Negra giving each other a kiss during dinner

Cy watching Willy B, Rayne, Terry, Gordo, and Lucky out on the Bray

Both Rayne and Gordo were able to find some coconut husks leftover from yesterday’s celebration

And a photo of the thunderstorm that was rolling in, though it quickly dissipated

Lastly, we added a whole bunch of things to our Wish List ranging from masks for caregivers to keep the chimpanzees safe from human pathogens, two-way radios for staff and volunteers who work in the Chimp House, and new enrichment items for our residents! If you are able and willing to, please take a look at the items needed to help maintain our quality care of these magnificent beings. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Two Years with the Lucky Six

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Can you believe it? Today we celebrated the 2nd anniversary of the arrival of the Lucky Six—Cy, Lucky, Terry, Dora, Rayne, and Gordo—from the Wildlife Waystation. As you probably know, the Lucky Six are now part of a group of nine, along with Willy B, Honey B, and Mave, and together they enjoyed a party complete with young coconuts and Gatorade ice blocks.

The day was also sponsored by Rose Mankowski in memory of her mother:

My Mom, Irene Mayes, would’ve turned 96 today – June 26, 2023 – but she died in August 5th, 2022. Irene loved primates, especially chimpanzees, since she was a little girl. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom.

Thank you, Rose, for honoring your mom in this way.

Today’s festivities took place in the playroom, greenhouse, and on the Bray. The chimps screamed in excitement as they watched us put out the forage and treats. As the party began, both Rayne and Terry grabbed what they could on their way out the door and made a beeline straight for the Bray, where a giant Gatorade ice block awaited them.

Within minutes they were joined by Gordo, Lucky, and Cy, who also brought their treats outside.

While Lucky did get to enjoy the ice block, she actually seemed to delight in the turnips as well. For a chimp, there’s nothing better than liking food that the others aren’t as interested in.

Ever the explorer, Rayne set out for the other climbing structures on the Bray and ate her way across the habitat.

Terry also went for a walk through the habitat and was rewarded for his efforts with a second coconut.

While the others were outside, Honey B, Mave, and Dora cleaned up the forage inside and in the chute.

Willy B was very happy to have gotten a coconut for himself. There was just one problem…how the heck do you open these things?

Do you bite them?

Smash them?

Not long after the party began, a thunderstorm rolled in, with one particularly loud clap of thunder catching Gordo by surprise.

The rest of the gang took their loot back inside and we closed off the habitat for their safety.

Earlier in the day, the chimps on Jamie’s side had their own party to celebrate their neighbor’s arrival. While they don’t live with the Lucky Six, the presence of another group next door amounts to an ever-evolving soap opera to which they are all glued—and that’s worth celebrating, too.

Negra:

Burrito:

Jamie:

Foxie:

Missy:

Annie: