Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
Our many thanks to Cathy Morrison for sponsoring a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees in celebration of Amy Granger Allen on her birthday!
“Happy Birthday to my niece! Even though Amy lives in Utah she still calls Cle Elum her home. What better way to celebrate on her birthday!”
Happy Birthday, Amy, from all of us here at the sanctuary! We hope you have a beautiful day, and thank you both for sharing your special day with the chimpanzees!
Burrito:
Jamie and Foxie:
Lucky:
George!:
Rayne:
Annie is one of our quieter chimps. She doesn’t ask for much attention from her caregivers, not because she doesn’t enjoy it, but because Annie is truly more of a chimp’s chimp. I’ve written before about how some chimps naturally gravitate more toward people, while others find their comfort and fulfillment primarily within their chimpanzee group. When we talk about those differences, we also recognize the fact that many of our residents didn’t get to live natural lives, and some grew up with humans.
What matters most to us is that Annie gets what she needs from her group, which she does! Seeing chimps maintain strong, healthy relationships with one another is always a priority here. We are constantly encouraging chimp-to-chimp interactions because those bonds are so important, which is why if we are interacting with a chimp and another chimps joins, we will remove ourselves if they chimps are engaged with each other.
Because Annie gravitates more to her group, interactions like today feel all the more special! It is a gentle reminder that trust can look different for every chimp, and that honoring who Annie is means celebrating both her independence and the moments she invites us into her world.
Elizabeth asked, “Is it intimidating when you first start working with chimps? How do you move pass that if so? (Watched a blog video of chimps descending from the top and kicking caging at caregivers)”.
Chimpanzees are large and intelligent individuals. When they display (a series of threat behaviors), it can be quite intense, especially for new people and visitors. However, it is best to come into a chimpanzee caregiving role with a healthy respect and understanding of their strength and abilities, opposed to being straight fearful. Captive chimps notice fear and will pick up on that and use it to their advantage for a reaction.
Chimpanzees are territorial by nature. New chimpanzees and new people on sanctuary grounds are something the chimps are quickly quite aware of. During this time, the chimps (particularly the high-ranking chimpanzees) will almost always display, making their presence known to the newcomer, and showing them this is their home. Displaying can look different by individual, but typically the chimps’ hair will be pilo-erect (standing on end), and they will be loud, often banging, hitting, kicking, or throwing items. The chimpanzees often pair their display with vocalizations (a long, loud pant-hoot that starts quietly until it reaches a climax). Most of the time, after the displays, the chimps will begin to relax and then will go back to their normal activities.
My advice to someone who is incredibly fearful of chimpanzees would be to look more into chimpanzee behavior so they know more what to expect and the element of surprise wouldn’t be so overwhelming. The chimps also need to get used to someone’s presence so they may display at a new human for awhile before they get used to them. The chimps won’t often display towards someone they’re used to seeing, like their caregivers, unless there is another factor at play, such as group tension.
Cy pant-hooting while banging on a tub for maximum noise during his display:
Kathleen asked, “Do any of the chimpanzees have a preferred caregiver?”.
There is not a clear cut answer here, as we will truly never know what the chimps are thinking. However, I do believe that some of the chimps have caregivers they prefer more than others. Some of the chimps I couldn’t even guess who their preferred caregiver is, as they treat many caregivers the same and love them all (like Burrito, Cy, Terry). Some have several caregivers they seek out for grooming or play. There are also chimps that are indifferent enough about many caregivers, I also couldn’t guess (such as Negra, Missy, Mave, Dora). There are also some chimps that make their dislike for someone more known (such as Jamie whom spit her lunch time med cup in the back of my hair – it is crusty as we speak). And, on the rare occasion, some chimps have one caregiver they look forward to seeing the most and it is quite clear (example being Foxie and caregiver Katelyn). In my experience though, many of the chimps appreciate us full-time caregivers by showing us they noticed when we were gone on a vacation and they greet us when we come back (these are my best moments with Jamie, Annie, Negra, and Honey B).
It takes a lot to keep these Pacific Northwest chimps from enjoying the outdoors.
P.S. For all you avid blog followers: Notice anything different?
It continues to be fascinating and endearing as George gets used to living in a group of chimpanzees.
***Commercial interruption: we could use more Albertson’s gift cards! You can buy them from our Amazon wishlist or directly at Albertsons or Safeway to send to the sanctuary. This does relate to George. When he first came to the sanctuary in May, he was very thin. He gained weight quickly and got to a healthy body condition. Since the introduction process, though he’s eating well, he’s lost some of that weight he had gained, most likely nervous energy! We are boosting his calories in various ways, including purchasing plant-based protein shakes from our local Safeway stores, which is owned by Albertson’s now.***
This video might show you a side of Cy you haven’t seen much of in the past. Interestingly, when it was just he and George living as a duo, Cy didn’t do a whole lot of asserting of his dominance. Once we added more chimpanzees to the mix, he began to display more and took more opportunities to ensure that no one forgets his leadership role in the group.
George seems to be soaking up all the lessons he’s been given about chimpanzee social living.
There’s something about the image of them all sleeping near one another, as a family, that really warms my heart.
On our recent “Ask the Caregiver” blog, someone asked about Foxie’s dolls. Lynne K asked, “Where does Foxie keep her dolls? Are they rotated by keepers or does she have access to all/many of them?
Great question Lynne K!
Foxie has an entire bin dedicated to her dolls. You’ll get a look at the bin in the video posted today. How many dolls do you think are in that bin? I know the answer, but you have to guess before I tell you!
Everyday, before closing up for the evening, a caregiver or volunteer prepares enrichment for the next day. We have a selection of all sorts of fun things to include, such as toy hammers and small wooden toys, slinkies, bouncy rubber balls, socks, headbands, scarves, books and magazines, cups and bowls, boots, and DOLLS! We try to include a little something for everyone, and that includes a nice selection of Foxie’s favorite dolls! She has them for the day, then when we clean the following day, we remove them and all of the other enrichment items and give them a good cleaning. Once they’re dry, they go back into her bin until the next time they’re chosen.
Foxie spends a lot of solo time with her dolls. But you’ll also find her incorporating her dolls into play with her chimpanzee friends, and her caregivers!
Please enjoy today’s video of Foxie and me playing doll LAUNCH! And don’t forget to guess how many dolls are in Foxie’s doll bin! You won’t win anything if you guess correctly, except bragging rights. Ha!
Prior to working at CSNW, both Caregiver Sabrina and I worked at Chimp Haven in Louisiana, where Negra’s daughter Heidi (and more than 300 other chimpanzees!) live. Being able to know and love both Heidi and Negra is extra special and so interesting to see many similarities (and some differences) between the two. I was excited when coming to CSNW to meet Heidi’s mom, and often see glimpses of Heidi in her mom, Negra.
Heidi on the move.
Negra on the move
Negra is the Queen for a reason! She is known for holding her caregivers to high standards. Don’t serve her food too fast, but you also better not serve it too slow! Now dance! We gladly follow our Queen’s demands. Negra has many quiet, sweet moments with her caregivers too, including many, many kisses. Within her group, Negra is generally quieter and not overly involved in conflicts, unless they bring the fight to her (looking at you, Burrito!). She can often be found playing with Burrito or resting in one of her large, well-built nests.
Heidi has friends in high places, and is more assertive when drama unfolds in her group. She can hold a grudge if she needs to with other chimps, and though she is small, she is mighty! She is easy going with her caregivers and very sweet. We didn’t have physical contact with the chimps at Chimp Haven (we played and groomed using a long-handled spoon), but I think she would give lots of kisses much like Negra, given the opportunity. During the time I knew her, Heidi did not make or use elaborate nests like Negra. Physically, I think it is clear that Negra has some strong genes!
I’m so grateful both Heidi and Negra are enjoying sanctuary life, and for the opportunity to know and love them and the many other chimpanzees that have shaped me both as a caregiver and a human. What an honor it is.
Heidi
Negra
Heidi
Negra
