Archives for July 2023

Negra’s Dolls

July 7, 2023 by Jenna

One of the best, most fun aspects of working with chimpanzees is seeing them express themselves in a new way or gain new interests over time. For example, Foxie was originally the “Troll doll Queen” and in the more recent years, she expanded her love to Strawberry Shortcake and Dora the Explorer dolls.

Foxie with Troll doll

Foxie with two newer dolls

In the past, Negra has occasionally carried a doll from time to time. However, nothing ever consistent like Foxie with her dolls, Burrito with his blocks, or Jamie with her boots and books. Until recently. Ever since June 1st (yes, I checked our staff chat where we document things for an exact date), Negra has carried a doll or a plush toy nearly every single day. Thankfully, because of Foxie, we have hundreds of dolls in our collection and Foxie has not seemed to care that Negra has taken a special liking to dolls as well.

While we will never know for sure what switched in Negra to make her start consistently wanting to do this, we are all appreciating this season of Negra being a “doll mom”. Whether it be forever or temporary, that is up to her. Neggie is at sanctuary and she determines how she lives her life.

As you will see, I have collected many photos from staff and volunteers featuring Negra and her “babies”. It’s only been five weeks of Negra consistently doing this and we have plenty of photos to show our human excitement.

Apologies for any lower quality shots as every single one is a phone picture.

Negra with a blonde doll – Photos by Sofia

Negra with a red haired doll in her pelvic pocket – Photos by Anna

Negra with a plush tomato – Photos by Diana

Negra with a blue haired doll in her pelvic pocket – Photo by Kelsi

Negra with a troll doll in her pelvic pocket

Negra’s stuffed Eeyore she often chooses

Eeyore in Negra’s pelvic pocket

Negra’s two dolls she carried around this morning

Negra with twin dolls

Negra holding a Dora the Explorer doll – Photo by Krissy

Another Employment Opportunity!

July 6, 2023 by Anna

As I blogged about a few weeks ago, we are still hiring for a Full-Time Medical-Veterinary Assistant/Chimpanzee Caregiver, but today I get the pleasure to announce we are also looking to hire for a Full Time Chimpanzee Caregiver Position! This is an exciting job posting for me to talk about since it doesn’t include any existing staff members exiting our team and will help us fill in a few scheduling gaps so we can keep giving the chimpanzees and cattle the best possible care they deserve (while also giving our hard working staff the support they deserve). Please check out both job postings on our website and feel free to share!

Here’s some photos of our sanctuary boss, Jamie Chimpanzee:

Growth

July 5, 2023 by Kelsi

I know I have mentioned this many times, but being able to witness Mave and Dora’s group grow into this integrated family that has provided them more social opportunities and friendships, plus the ability to work through interpersonal relationships has absolutely been one of the highlights of my career! It is really easy to forget how stressful the introduction process was, especially since they have grown so much and worked so hard to become this group of nine! However, I can still remember the feelings of uncertainty and stress about whether the integration would actually work. It almost feels silly to think about about how stressed we all were. I just remember thinking that Mave, Willy B, and Honey B needed more friends, especially the social butterfly Mave. That was the motivation- more friends and more opportunities.

Now a year and some months later, Dora’s group is flourishing! As predicted, eventually, Mave loved making new friends and Willy B finally has some male friends to hangout with. But the real surprise, the real social butterfly is Honey B. Honey B always seems to be in the middle of a grooming train, mall walking with friends, or playing with a friend like Dora! It goes to show that in sanctuary providing more opportunities and choices really does make their lives all the better.

Bonus photos!

Jenna took this photo and was kind enough to share it with me! A sweet photo Honey B, Mave, and Dora all nesting together:

Recently, Negra has been keeping a doll in her pelvic pocket:

Jamie in the portrait studio:

Foxie right next to Jamie:

Foxie rubbing her toes together:

Celebrating Freedom

July 4, 2023 by Chad de Bree

The Fourth of July holiday is a time when Americans celebrate their independence from Great Britain. For us here, we celebrate the freedom our residents have from the terrors of biomedical testing and harm from humans. For decades, many of the residents have spent their time in small cages and stripped of their freedom of choice. Today though, they have the freedom to make their own decisions, their own choices, and live the life they want to live.

I am fully aware it’s a bit ironic that I talk about their freedom, yet they are destined to live a life in captivity. It really breaks my heart and the rest of the staff here that we will never see Missy sprint in an un-fenced area, or see Rayne exploring new and exciting places. This is the life they have been dealt. The very least we can do is to provide them whatever freedoms and autonomy we can. When I arrive to the sanctuary every morning, I am no longer in my own world. I am in theirs.

To celebrate, the chimpanzees were treated to a forage of fan favorite: Watermelon Bowls! Each watermelon bowl contained: lettuce, a baked potato, baby back corn ribs, green onions, and blueberries! We even put some on the Bray! While everyone was foraging for the bulk of the watermelons inside, Rayne took the opportunity to collect nearly all the watermelon bowls placed on The Bray, as you can see in the video! It didn’t take the boys plus Lucky much longer to realize there was more food outside!

We wish you all a fun and safe Independence Day!

Here are some photos taken throughout the day!

Rayne

Don’t worry! Gordo came by to grab what Rayne chose to leave behind

Willy B

Terry

Missy trying to sneak pass Negra with her haul

Negra in her Cabin

Burrito

Foxie

Jamie enjoying a pre-celebration browse of currant branches

Viola! The prized watermelon bowls

All Day Shenanigans

July 3, 2023 by Grace

Today has been nothing short of goofy here in the chimp house.

This morning, after cleaning the playroom, we put out giant kongs for Burrito and his group. Giant kongs have always been a favorite of Burrito’s and it never gets old watching him drag them along, bounce or sit on them, or just be generally silly as he plays with them! Today was no exception and it made us all smile.

This afternoon, as we wrapped up lunch, Chad mentioned that Honey B and Dora were having a great play session in the front rooms. We could see them in the security footage and hear them breathy panting, so I snuck in to try and get footage! Honey B has a big, fierce personality and I think it’s safe to say that we are all super proud of her and the bonds she’s making in the bigger group. It was really sweet to watch her have so much fun with Dora and they played for a lot of the afternoon!

Every moment with the chimps is special, but seeing them engaged with something (or someone) that makes them so happy is the best feeling. And when these moments last all day, then it’s just a really darn good day. 🙂

Burrito had a mini photo shoot with one of the giant kongs this morning: