Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for October 2025

George and Terry Play on The Bray

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George’s introduction to members of Cy’s group continues to advance each week. Today was the first time he and Terry shared time on The Bray.

Jamie’s group took note! Whenever something different happens, chimpanzees notice.

It was fun to see Terry and George so far up on the Bray with members of Jamie’s group walking along side them.

George and Terry also had access to the Oakwood Greenhouse, and George dutifully followed Terry from the front rooms, to the Chute, to the greenhouse, and onto The Bray. They definitely got their steps in today!

Annual Fun

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When I first started as staff, I was told that being invited to play with Missy is a rare gift. Sometimes it only comes around once a year! In today’s blog video, watch as Missy makes sure Caregiver Ellen gets her steps in with a game of chase, with a hide-and-seek twist.

One of the biggest holidays of the year at the sanctuary is quickly approaching…Jamieween! Check out our wish list to send gifts for Jamie’s big day!

Playtime Posse

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Central Washington’s starting to cool off, and the forage season on the Bray and Young’s Hill is winding down. Still, Burrito and Negra aren’t about to waste a warm, sunny day—they’re out there soaking up every minute. Once the sun disappears, the party just moves inside. No matter the weather, they keep the fun going!

The Beat of Willy B

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The other morning, as we were cleaning, we could hear a steady beat of drumming. Often, when we hear this, it is the slow start to a display and usually we could put money on a particular “B” being the culprit, that “B” being, Willy B. Other times, we find the noise to be Willy B playing, usually with a box or a slinky, like the blog a few weeks ago! But this time, when we went to investigate, we found Willy B wasn’t displaying; he was playing. While, Willy B was playing with the green tub minding his own business, beating the tub to his own drum. He wasn’t just drumming on the tub, but rather had the large tub over his head and making the drumming noise! It’s always nice to see Willy B having fun!

Bonus photos of George in his nest the other evening!

Goodnight George!

Burrito, Annie And A Nest Of Pink Tickets

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A few days ago, while cleaning the playroom on the original side of the building (where Jamie’s group lives), I heard some loud chimpanzee laughter coming from the front rooms.  Of course, I was pretty sure who one of the chimps was, but who was he playing with?  It was Annie!  Playing in a big pile of pink raffle tickets!  I really love seeing Annie able to let loose and enjoy playful interactions with her family.  Being low on the social hierarchy can lead to stressful moments throughout the day, but Annie proves that she can still relax and kick up her heels with her friends once in a while.

Undercover Gorilla

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Terry loves to try to impress the ladies next door with his gorilla impression.

Chest-beating is not normally part of a chimpanzee’s behavioral repertoire. However, in areas where chimpanzee and gorilla territories overlap, such as the Republic of Congo, chimps have been seen imitating their gorilla cousins. Having been born in a laboratory, Terry couldn’t have learned his chest-beating from any gorillas, so he must have come up with it on his own.

Or could he actually be a gorilla disguised as a chimpanzee?