We’re experiencing extreme winter weather and temperatures (it’s 5 degrees F as I write) out here in Cle Elum, which makes for interesting challenges to our operations. For instance, our driveway is steep and the produce delivery truck can’t make it up when it’s snowy, so the produce order gets dropped off at the bottom instead of conveniently by the front door. The driveway proved to be a challenge for some staff vehicles this morning too, so a few of us had to park at the bottom and walk up. But that’s not where the challenges end, oh no! Some of the hydraulic doors that are exposed to the cold move at a snail’s pace and the chimps are more less inclined to use the cold greenhouse spaces and therefore more cooped up and restless and prone to conflict. So, we were running a bit behind today, but we adapt and sally forth! We do our best to make sure their spaces are toasty warm and cozy with blankets and that they’re occupied with engaging enrichment items and activities. And while there was some conflict in this group today, there was also quite a lot of play, going on!
Unbeknownst to the Department of Transportation, they provided some interesting enrichment to the chimps today when they closed off I-90, causing traffic to redirect onto 1-10, which Cy’s group can see from their playroom windows. When the chimps noticed the increased traffic on their highway, they all gathered at the windows making alarm calls. This must have been a matter of deep concern because they were even distracted from lunch service!!
Three chimps watch the traffic at the bottom of the window while Dora gets a better view from above
Three chimps watch the traffic from an upstairs window while a fourth gets a personal viewing space downstairs
Temperature update: it is now 4 degrees F.
