I’ve known few chimpanzees (or humans, for that matter) that could entertain themselves quite like Burrito. He’s not always playful but when he is, he is as close to pure joy as I’ve witnessed.
While Chad and I were cleaning Playroom 1 this morning and Jamie and the gang were grooming on the greenhouse platform, Burrito was keeping himself entertained with “Celestino,” a Squishmallow that was donated by Monica B. and purchased for the chimps by Sherry R. in our 2024 Comfort & Joy Online Auction. Cleaning stuffed animals like these, not to mention the 150 blankets that we make sure the chimps have at all times, requires some durable washing machines. That’s why we wanted to extend our sincere thanks to the many donors who contributed to our Commercial Washer Fund, which will allow us to replace one of our aging residential washers with a machine that can withstand being used 8 hours a day, seven days a week. Thank you, Vicki F., Jamie R., Kathie J., Sarah H., Patti S., Julie A. O., Deborah J., Nancy D., Margaret L., Rebecca Z., Rosalie A., Chloe G., and Ellen V. for helping us keep the blankets and stuffed animals clean so that the chimps can continue to experience comfort and joy!
As usual, watching Burrito interact with his enrichment and watching him exert, so, much energy is a delight! He has such an intelligent, contemplative, and expressive face.
Could you please tell me whether Dr. Jane Goodall has, ever, visited or contacted the sanctary?
I think I remember a post once where she visited, and had a positive experience/impression.
She has not been able to visit but she very generously provided a recorded message to attendees of one of our virtual events during the pandemic, for which we were incredibly grateful.
Thanks to Monica and Sherry for that squishmallow! He loves it so much, he won’t even abandon it to play with Chad, and that’s saying something! Of course, he’s going to protect it from the ladies, whichever was the one who perpetrated the crime against his last monkey stuffy!
We hadn’t heard from Chad in so long, I was beginning to worry about him!
JB, are you guys at all concerned about the possibility of tariffs affecting the cost of peanuts or peanut butter?(I only just learned that we import a lot of peanuts, who knew?) Are they definitely all local, are you guys considering stocking up? That’s a lot of peanut butter!
We don’t have plans to stock up on anything at this point but we’ll keep an eye on it!
Not only can Burrito entertain himself (and all of us!), he appears to be blissfully content all the time. There’s also this sweetness about him.Today he seemed torn between wanting a quiet moment to bounce upon and relax with his new squishmallow but, over and over again, Burrito just couldn’t resist the temptation to slap the window and sput on a game of chase with his long time friend. You can feel how much Burrito enjoys his time with you. And a big Thank You to Monica B. and Sherry R. for giving us this silly moment.
Can’t get better than a new wahser that runs all day long and handles big blanket loads! Heaven! Thank you to everyone.
Thanks Monica and Sherry for the donation of Celestino who must be a very durable “mallowstino” to withstand a play day with Burrito. Let’s hope this mallow makes it into 2025. And thanks so much to all the donors who made the new washing machine a dream come true. There’s nothing like having a warm, dry clean blanket or two or three or six or eight.
I just love Burrito! He gazes into the camera and all I see is DELIGHT! It warms my heart so much to know that the sanctuary exists. I think I read somewhere that it is the largest of its kind in the country. These lovely chimpanzees seem to want for nothing. Thank you for all that you do for these characters! Thank you for adding videos so often. My favorites are the ones where I can hear them express themselves – hear their voices. Has the sanctuary ever been approached to accept younger chimps? Babies? Is the facility set up to care for younger chimps who have been separated from their mothers?
Hi Paula – We’re not the largest but Burrito thinks we’re the best! Thankfully, chimpanzee research has come to an end and there are very few chimpanzees left in private ownership so we have no immediate plans to rescue any more chimpanzees of any age. That said, we remain open to the possibility should one arise. We plan to continue to care for our two families of chimpanzees and soon we’ll begin building to care for other primate species. Stay tuned!
if you have a squishmallow to cuddle , hug and sleep on, you know the fun Burrito is having. they are yummy.
Burrito is joy! Love him. Thank you Monica and Sherry, JB and Chad and everyone who makes this possible:)
That Squishmallow sure is a hit with Burrito! He just cracks me up, I could watch his antics all day!
Burrito, the forever-kid! :monkey_face: Thank you, Monica and Sherry! :kissing_heart:
Oh joy to me in a loving home, with places to roam, human servants to feed me and a squishmellow toy to lay upon!