Burrito, Annie Jody, Foxie, Missy, Jamie, and Negra arrived in June of 2008. Their first experience of snow at the sanctuary (though they may have encountered it earlier in their lives) was almost exactly eleven years ago today. If you can believe it, we’ve been doing the blog this entire time, so you can take a look back at that post, which includes a video, right here.
That was before the greenhouse was a greenhouse with a roof and removable walls, so the chimps just leaned outside of their indoor rooms and grabbed handfuls and mouthfuls of snow. Seriously, watch the video.
It was such an exciting and endearing first at the sanctuary that Seattle’s King 5 television station shared the video on air.
Eleven years later, snow is still an exciting winter treat that produces anticipation and food grunts. There are many, many blog posts that feature snow. We often talk about how it’s the perfect food enrichment because it has zero calories, lasts a long time, and it’s both plentiful and free this time of year.
Here are some photos from today of Jody finding some ice and snow for snacking:
This one of her scurrying inside with her quickly diminishing treat is a little blurry:
Burrito was making raspberry noises at me this morning, and I thought he was trying to convince me to get him a banana–he knows I’m a big sucker and have been giving him pretty much whatever he wants as he recovers. Eventually, I realized what he actually wanted was some of the good stuff that had blanketed the outdoors.
He was pleased when I finally figured it out and gave him a special delivery:
Mave, Willy B, and Honey B’s reaction has not been the same. They do not know what the fuss is about at all.
Mave spent quite a bit of time in the chute today with the sun shining, but she didn’t go down to the area that still had snow:
I tried to convince Honey B that it was a a great treat by eating some myself and then placing some in the fencing for her.
This was her reaction:
Will they grow to love it, or will eating snow remain a strange custom that these three chimpanzees from California do not appreciate? We’ve got a couple more months to find out.
Amy M says
If looks could kill… LOL
Linda C says
“Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout, Diana!?”
CeeCee says
Thanks Diana, I loved that old video, they look so amazed by the snow.
And Burrito wasn’t into it at all, So maybe the Californians will learn to love it too.
Mr Burrito obviously loves it now, he looks so sweet and happy with his giant snowball.
Linda C says
Thanks for sharing the links, Diana…just when I thought I’d seen all the videos!
Jo just loves to forage, doesn’t she!? and even though I found it hard to identify some of them in the pics, because they looked so different, Jo’s grunts in the video gave her away. And as early as 6 months in, the Tiny One had her dolls!
Have a good Sunday, Diana.
Linda C says
Yeesh, another chore to add to the morning list: sweep the snow out of the chute!
Linda C says
And look at the difference!
Compare their coats in the blog post from long ago to that beautiful coat that Jamie’s rocking in the top photo! Proof of your good work!
Maria says
Maybe you should show the video for the Californian three that the snow is edible. That probably can convince them to try at least ones ?
Elaine Reininger says
That old video of their first sight (and taste) of snow was priceless. And what an improvement in their physical appearance, then and now after so many years of good food and nutrition and care. I’m so glad that the story of Foxie so many years ago brought me to this site and reading and watching your vidios every day makes the starts of my day so much happier and brighter.
Linda C says
I was checking out some of the links that Diana sent to the old archives on snow. In one of the earliest 2012 videos, where they had snow cone troll dolls, I noticed that they had a camera angle that they normally do not have. It was the loft in the playroom, but from the side opposite from what we usually see. Foxy is eating OJ snow cones from the troll doll’s head, and she’s banging it on the floor, but if you look closely, the camera angle allows you to see her little toes curling in delight! 😀
Debi says
Oh, for goodness sakes…That seriously deadpan look on Honey B’s face is cracking me up…
Kathleen says
And there are those who still believe chimpanzees cannot communicate. To heck with syntax, who needs words?! Honey B’s expression speaks volumes, I can’t stop laughing over it.
Dear Burrito, so happy you finally caught on to what he saying to you. He looks so pleased with his big snowball treat in his torn-up healing hand. Oh how I love that boy.
Thank you for including the links to the first snow day (and the snow themed posts as well). Missy’s technique of gracefully reaching out her long fingers to delicately pick up a pinch or two of snow was too much, especially compared to Annie’s massive mouthful munch soon after! Out of all the girls it was Jamie’s appearance that shocked me the most. She seemed almost unrecognizable. Maybe it was the snow treats, but I believe all your love and devoted caregiving has transformed Jamie into the beautiful woman she is today. Wow, what a difference!
Tobin says
What a treat to see an old video, and one that has footage of the Magnificent Seven’s first experience of snow at the sanctuary. I hope that Willy B gets to see this treasure from your archives.
Judy says
Such an incredible difference in their bodies and mannerisms … 11 years of love, care, challenges, attention, support, great food… and all else that CSNW gives them… what a difference it has been in their lives! Thank you Diana… wonderful post 🙂