As most of us have mentioned this week, providing the chimpanzees (especially Jamie!) with an enriching and stimulating environment can be challenging. Thanks to Donna and Doreen’s sponsorship of today, we decided to use the theme of the “Big Apple.” It’s always fun to see how each of the chimpanzees choose to engage with new enrichment. Debbie and volunteer Deb spent a lot of time constructing a cardboard box version of the New York City skyline and we even made a Dora of Liberty statue on “Ellis Island” (aka the turtle wading pool). After scattering dried apples still warm from the dehydrator (courtesy of volunteer, Patty) about like confetti for the chimps’ forage in Times Square, the scene was set. Mind you, it’s sometimes difficult to say whether the chimpanzees or the humans are more enriched by these endeavors.
Foxie “hearts” NY:
Jody and Annie checking out the Dora of Liberty statue:
As you can imagine, the chimps not only took Manhattan, but quickly toppled it. Here’s Jamie inspecting the ruins:
And Jody found “Ellis Island” to be the perfect nesting spot (after getting that pesky Dora of Liberty out of the way):
Donna and Doreen, thanks again for sponsoring the day in honor of Foxie’s birthday month and your anniversary in the Big Apple!
And tomorrow is the last day to vote for your favorite chimpanzee artist! Get your votes in now and help make a real difference for the winning chimpanzee and their sanctuary family and home!
Kerri says
What a clever day of enrichment!!! The photos of the ladies all seem to appear that they are smiling, and enjoying themselves. I would LOVE to see where their adventures take them next? Will they travel the country??
Katelyn says
Hhmmmm…what a great idea, Kerri! 🙂
Kerri says
I see the St. Louis Arch, the Space Needle, Idaho potato fields, Kansas sunflower forage, a day at the Beach…..ANYWHERE, anything Texas? A fund raiser for the chimps cross country trek?
Kerri says
I will start it off! I am from OK, and there are a number of things you could do , Jamie and boots come to mind, but we also LOVE to eat, so Mr. B is right there too???
kerri says
I meant to say I will start off by making a donation to help them get to their next stop and IF they were to “travel” through Oklahoma I’d be delighted! I would be even more delighted if the idea caught on.
Katelyn says
Kerri, thank you SO much for your donation! We currently offer Sponsor-a-Days for any tributes, but we appreciate your suggestions and you never know! Thanks again! 🙂
DONNA AND DOREEN says
WOW, what a clever enrichment experience! Doreen says ‘beyond creative” and I agree! dora of Liberty and the skyline – too fabulous! the Chimps take Manhattan! who knows who had more fun, the chimps or the caregivers! the photos are marvelous ..this really made Doreen’s day (and mine!) o what fun in the Big Apple for the chimps!
Katelyn says
Thanks so much, Donna and Doreen! It’s pretty safe to say that today the chimpanzees and the humans enjoyed the enrichment!
Debbie says
I think the caregivers DID have a lot of fun… but so did the chimps 🙂 a win-win! (Oh, and Jamie watched us build the whole skyline, very intently judging our work too!)
Donna says
Debbie! Then you had a supervisor in Jamie! I love it!
Chris says
Maybe you’ve already done this but if you can find the big boxes that appliances come in, I’m sure the 7 would love those…our kids used to play for hours in one out on the lawn! You could have visit a cave day! 🙂
Katelyn says
I am sure the chimps would love it, thanks, Chris!