We are just 5 short days away from Annie’s 50th birthday celebration! Not all chimpanzees reach 50 years old, so this is something extra special to celebrate! We only have Negra in the 50’s club at CSNW, but next week, Annie will be the newest and second member!
I thought today I would give you a crash course on Annie, for anyone who is new to our blog, or for those who pop in/out.
Here are 50 things to know, love, and appreciate about Annie Chimpanzee!
1. Annie was born in 1974. We celebrate her birthday on September 10th, but we are not sure of her real birth date and believe she was born in the wild. She could already be 50 for all we know, but let’s not focus on that…
2. Unfortunately, Annie spent the first few decades of her life in the biomedical research industry at Buckshire Corporation in Pennsylvania. Annie was used in hepatitis vaccine studies as well as produced many offspring (potentially 7). Annie’s babies were taken from her each time.
3. Annie, as well as her fellow group members, arrived to sanctuary on June 13, 2008. Annie has been here at CSNW for over 16 years now!
4. Annie lives in a group with Jamie, Negra, Burrito, Missy, and Foxie. Jody was another member of their family but unfortunately, passed away last year.
5. Annie is a low-ranking chimpanzee in her group. She is submissive towards the others and let’s them take priority before her.
6. Annie’s best friend and go-to girl is Missy. Those who have known Annie/Missy for a long time say that Annie has gotten so much more independent over the years. She used to not be able to go anywhere without Missy. She still is with Missy A LOT, but she seems to be able to do much more on her own now.
7. Annie watches Missy out on Young’s Hill from inside if she doesn’t want to go out there with her. She always keeps an eye out for her. She is devoted.
8. “Annie bird” earned her nickname by making bird noises with her hands. She does this regularly while laying on her back, completely relaxed.
9. Annie is a sweet and gentle chimpanzee. She likes to give caregivers gentle kisses to the back of their hand in the morning and sometimes gives them a gentle tickle to the hand in the morning as well.
10. Missy is higher ranking compared to Annie. Since she is lower-ranking, Annie never takes it personally if Missy has to pull rank.
11. Sometimes, Annie gets a little nervous to play with other chimps. Foxie and Annie sometimes can misinterpret each other. However, that never discourages Annie from playing with her group members.
12. Annie values grooming with her group members. She takes it very seriously.
13. Despite Annie being low-ranking, she almost never gets wounds. Knock on wood.
14. Annie loves drinking from straws.
15. Like many of our chimpanzee residents, Annie is a breakfast smoothie enthusiast.
16. Annie is not a very picky eater. She loves so many fruits and veggies, it’s hard to narrow down her favorites.
17. We believe Annie has an allergy to mangoes. We take the allergy very seriously and keep mangoes quarantined in our clinic when we have them. The other group gets mangoes for birthdays occasionally, but Jamie’s group (where Annie lives) does not.
18. Annie walking bipedally (2 feet) is epic. She will walk bipedally out on the Hill when the grass is tall or when she is foraging.
19. Annie is friends with everyone in her group, including alpha female, Jamie.
20. Cucumbers aren’t a unanimous favorite in the chimp house, but Annie loves them.
21. Annie sometimes goes to the top of Young’s Hill to forage by herself.
22. Annie enjoys watching TV when it’s on.
23. Annie loves to eat grass out on Young’s Hill. Today, in fact, she was late to breakfast because she was doing just that.
24. Annie has very unique ears that are higher up on her head. It makes her easily identifiable.
25. Annie is easy-going. You know those people that are just happy to be there? That’s Annie.
26. Annie often lays in a “happy baby” pose (what caregivers call it).
27. Annie makes amazing nests. It is so sweet to watch her build nests. She is so focused and looks so relaxed.
28. You can tell when it’s almost summer because Annie will start sporting sweatbands around her waist. Surprisingly, she doesn’t do this year-round.
29. Annie loves all enrichment puzzles. She loves everything with peanut butter, or nuts. She’s not picky.
30. She likes when caregivers have painted toenails. She likes to groom their toes with a tool, but she’s a little rough with it.
31. Annie has perfectly long nails. It looks like she shapes them.
32. Annie likes men with beards. We once had a visitor with a beard and Annie was mesmerized.
33. Annie is a pretty quiet gal. Except when she’s scared. Then, she screams and screams.
34. Annie’s upper arm hair looks cape-like.
35. Sometimes, Annie will want to groom her caregiver’s hands but then she just proceeds to poke them softly, instead of grooming.
36. Annie’s anxiety is simultaneously a superpower because she is able to read chimpanzees and humans very well.
37. A lot of Annie’s play sessions are her just smacking others with her long arms.
38. Annie loves to watch the boys in Cy’s group out on The Bray. Although, they make her nervous.
39. Annie is in fabulous shape. You would not believe she is about to be 50 years old.
40. She’s growing more confident every year.
41. She is not a fighter, she’s a lover. Neggie too!
42. She loves any kinds of baked foods.
43. She is very observant and usually the first to spot a snake nearby.
44. Annie and Missy make their nests next to each other.
45. Annie will steal food if the opportunity presents itself (e.g. if someone leaves their food unattended, she will grab it and see if anyone saw).
46. Annie always looks out for Jamie during meals (due to the dominance hierarchy). She is constantly scanning even if Jamie isn’t in the room.
47. Annie likes to eat snow during the winter. She likes when the caregivers bring snow into the enclosures for them.
48. Annie loves to eat sunflowers.
49. Annie washes the hair on her head with the lixit. We can always tell afterwards because her hair will be spiky.
50. Annie is the sweetest, most gentle chimpanzee. We are so lucky to know her. Happy almost 50th Birthday, Annie!
Tune in next week (September 10th) for her actual birthday celebration!
Please check out our Wishlists here to help us prepare for upcoming events!
