Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for April 2025

Pokey Joe Burrito

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Let me start by acknowledging that Pokey Joe generally means that someone is moving slowly.  And we know that one would almost never describe our beloved Burrito in that way.  Slow?  Please!

When I call Burrito Pokey Joe, it’s because he’s being especially pokey, as in poking me, poking food that’s being served, or poking my phone/camera.  I recently got some video footage of Burrito in an especially pokey mood.  And to top it off, I got some fun footage of Burrito and his good friend Foxie, playing and laughing their heads off!

I’ve titled this blog “Pokey Joe Burrito”, but it could also be called “That Time My Phone Ended Up In the Drain”!

Enjoy!

A Plus One

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As J.B. updated in his blog last week, Willy B, Mave, Dora, and Honey B are currently living together in a social group.

For those unfamiliar with their history, Willy B, Mave, and Honey B came to CSNW from Wildlife Waystation in 2019 as a group of 3. They had lived together for many years and got along well. Dora, on the other hand, arrived at CSNW in 2021 with the rest of Cy’s group. Once Cy’s and Willy B’s group were introduced (in late 2021 and early 2022), Mave and Dora became the ultimate best friends. We even gave them the honor of having a couple name, which is Mave + Dora= Mora.

Additionally, Dora and Honey B became great friends as well, often playing chase and making each other laugh. Dora is socially savvy and quite popular. So, in my opinion, having her be the 4th member was a great social opportunity for Mave, Honey B, and Willy B because she is a beloved friend to all. She’s always up for an adventure or lounging with her besties.

Since they’ve been living together as a group of 4, things have been going pretty well! It seems to me, that the anxious energy and overall stress has reduced, which is exactly what we were aiming for. Yesterday, for example, I found the 4 of them feeling pretty silly! Willy B was playing with Kelsi, Dora and Honey B were playing with each other, and once Mave had enough 3rd wheelin’ with HB and Dora, she played with J.B. and Diana. It was a fun moment to capture! Check it out in today’s video (above or here)!

Willing Patients

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Yesterday caregiver Ellen and I found ourselves with some free time in the chimp house while most of the team was busy at a training workshop. So of course we filled our time doing some positive reinforcement training with the chimps, check it out in today’s blog video!

 

Doll Head Screwdriver

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We love when the chimps find comfort or enjoyment in human toys—so long as they’re safe, of course. While all new toys are checked by two staff members to ensure they will withstand the chimps’ strength and destructiveness, everyone once and a while they chimps are able to, um, modify their toys in ways we didn’t anticipate. Let’s just be thankful that the building isn’t held together with doll head screws.

 

Spring Rocks!

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Today we celebrated spring with the chimpanzees by having a party filled with novel items and foods they love. One of these novel items was a cardboard cutout of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, which we hoped Cy would enjoy as he is a fan of bald men (remember his love of Stanley Tucci?!). Well, there were mixed reviews. Today’s blog video is all about the ups and downs of “meeting” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson! We will share more about the rest of the party later, as there is simply too much good stuff to cover all in one day!