When we post the daily blog, the comment section are usually peppered with great questions you have, our beloved followers. Whether it’s about the chimpanzees’ personalities, the caregivers’ work, the ongoing introductions, medical procedures, and a vast array of other topics, you always ask great, sometimes hard-hitting, questions. It has been a long while since we have done this, but we would like to extend a warm invitation for any and all questions you may have. We will try to answer your questions as a blog topic of discussion to hopefully really answer your questions as detailed to the best of our abilities. I fall in the category of people who think there is “no dumb question” as it relates to the sanctuary, the chimpanzees, primates in general, advocacy, etc. If you’re thinking of question you’re hesitant to ask, there’s a big chance someone else is wondering the same thing. I know I probably was at some point.
Again, we will try to answer your questions to the best of our abilities or at the very least try to lead you in the right direction. You can always check out the previous call outs for questions (here, and here) if to see if any of those spark any ideas of things you were wondering.
And then there was Mave…
That statue of Jody! Oh, that is beautiful! Please, tell me more. When was it placed? Is it at her gravesite or somewhere outside of Young’s Hill? Are you still accepting inscriptions for stones placed around it? Is the stem of lilacs a permanent attachment to the statue, or are they actual lilacs?
With the CSNW’s permission, I would love to visit in a future October or November so that I could leave a pumpkin at the feet of the statue.
Hi, Tobin,
Blowing up the pics on my phone, I can see that the indentations on the stems say the lilacs are faux, and can easily be replaced when the weather gets to them. I love the idea of a pumpkin, maybe the Jamieween pumpkin, if no one wants it (though that might attract birds, which will lead to having to clean Jo’s statue more often).
And, speaking of Jody, I am pleased to see the photograph of Burrito and to learn that he initiated a game with his bestie Chad. Is everyone okay in his troop? With the attention on George integrating with his new (potential) friends, I haven’t heard or seen much on Jamie, Foxie, Neggie, and Missyannie. I hope that all is well, and that they will all being able to enjoy their Thanksgiving feast.
how do you prevent pregnancy?
Great question! I’ve been wondering that as well.
How do I prevent pregnancy? Simple: I am 61 years old. As for the chimpeople, it is my understanding that vascetomies and a standing prescription at a pharmacy in Cle Elum are in place.
My preference is for human primates to be less fruitful and multiplying so that other species — primate and otherwise — can be afforded the room to replenish their species in their natural habitats.
Made me laugh out loud Tobin!!!
Hello dear caregivers. A couple of weeks ago I sent two troll dolls to give to Foxie for me. I would just like to know if you ever received them. Thanks for all you do for these wonderful Chimps.
Yes! Thank you for the adorable troll dolls in sweaters, Britta!
When the chimps groom one another, what are they looking for and eating when they find it? What insects reside in the chimps ‘skin and hair?
i noticed that Cy has only 3 fingers and a thumg on his left hand did something happen to him?
Where does Foxie keep her dolls? Are they rotated by the keepers or does she have access to all/many of them?
Can you tell me the age of each of the chimpanzees?
Hi Bobbie, if you go the link “Our Family” above, then click on the link “The Chimpanzees”, you’ll see each chimpanzee and their known histories. Within each chimps bio, the year they were born and their birthdates are noted (again, if known…if not you’ll see the given birthday.). Hope this helps!
Bobbie. here’s a grouping by year
1973 6/13 Negra
1974 9/10 Annie
1975 Jody
1975 8/23 Missy
1976 8/8 Foxie
1977 10/31 Jamie
1983. 1/6 Burrito
1988 7/19 Gordo
1989 06/06 Dora
1989 6/11 Honey B
1989 9/25 Mave
1990. 1/29 Rayne
1990 3/12Cy
1990 06/13 Terry
1990 11/30 Willy B
1991 11/06 Lucky
2004 4/5 George
Thank you both for the information.
Oh, Burrito still loves you so, Chad! And appreciates you! Yours is not a thankless job.
Glad to hear George has met Ms Popularity, hope it went well!
I would echo Tobin’s question on Jamie’s status, following her day at the clinic.
Neggie loves on everyone. Foxie prefers Katelyn to babysit whenever possible. Burrito adores Chad, though JB will do in a pinch. Any other preferred caregivers by chimps?
Winter is here. Is Cy still watching his rom coms before bed, which are the current favs? Willy B’s?
George is taking a bit to get into the grooming groove. Did Burrito and Jamie also take a minute to adapt to it, considering they had a similar start in life?
Looking forward to Thursday’s Hawaiian roll extravaganza, as I get ready to make my own pumpkin white wine risotto! Gotta bake that li’l punkin!
Great idea, Chad. So you’re going to open a Q&A-type section on the website, right? (If I understood well) You’ll be deluged questions, I bet!
All the pictures are great, but the one with Cy’s reading his magazine is so suggestive and multi-layered that although I only store pictures of my pals Raynie and Gordo and of my buddy Meredith I had to save that image to make it my screensaver.
What they’ve done in the past is to use the questions in this blog post for ideas for subsequent blog posts. It’s done when they don’t know what to write about,as a prompt.
Do you think Cy is missing living with his group or them missing him. im confused does Willy B udually still live in Cys group or did he move out with a few others?
Since before George arrived, Willy B, Mave and Honey B were on their own, with Dora and others occasionally swapping in for Mave. Willy was wreaking havoc on the daily, so they were trying a gradual reintroduction, hoping that Willy would reach a point where he’s more secure, and doesnt need to cause chaos every afternoon. Then George came along, and they can only split the rooms so much.
Hi Chad, I sent the following a little while ago and would love to know the answer!
It occurred to me after seeing a little displays from George and Terry and the mention again of dear Annie being low ranking in the blog about her playing with Burrito today, how is hierarchy established in chimps who have never lived in the wild? We all know about how alpha males get to the top, and to a lesser degree how alpha females establish their position in the normal groups, but as the chimps in sanctuary have never had that experience, how does it work? And will it change for any reason? Cy always seems such a gentle laid back guy, but clearly has the skills to lead a group. Jamie just has that aura of ‘don’t mess with me’ that I doubt she would ever be challenged, but how is the rest of the group organised and do they always accept it? How will George find his place in the group? Thankfully, he’s a bit younger and is obviously learning new lessons about group living every day……thank goodness for the wonderful Cy!
Following along: when Mave was with the lucky six where did she place in the female hierarchy? Did George ever display at Mave? I thought it was interesting that George displayed at the social savvy Rayne but was bit intimidated by Mave. Also, I thought Cy’s reaction to Rayne’s screaming at George when he attempted to intimidate her was different from his reaction to the Lucky and George paper Dilemma. Was this this due difference in hierarchy, differences in how the conflict got started, or am I just imagining a difference?
Hi Chad, glad to read you are still at the sanctuary and still best buddies with Burrito.
I was wondering if, now Cy is living with George, someone else has taken over from him?
Are you expecting a scuffle when he is back as leader?
And is it still the plan to form 1 big family group after George is integrated, or will Mave, Honey B. and Willy B. stay as a subgroup (which would be a shame in my opinion ).
LOVE the pictures of Maevis!!
Okay, remember, you asked for it!
• Like Linda mentioned above, my main question would be the about the results from Jamie’s last visit to the clinic. I noticed that her tummy looked more pronounced and associated it with aging. I’ve been worried about Jamie ever since you wrote the blog about the clinic visit. Same goes for Missy (or was it Foxie?!) who also had an appointment with the amazing Dr. Erin the same day.
• And sort of on a similar note, seeing Burrito in this post forces me to ask about the most ridiculously lovable guy in the Pacific NW! We haven’t seen or heard about Burrito in a long time. I hope all is well with him. Can we have post on Burrito being Burrito? I could use a warm laugh. 🙂
• Lastly, to you—the magnificent caregivers. Each of you have such interesting bios on the website. Like you Chad, being a photojournalist, applying that skill to analyze photos of wild chimpanzees from Gombe National Park. And I’d love to learn about your perspective on gestural communication…or maybe apply your expertise to George as he learns and interacts with his group mates?
Anyhow, I think it would be fun to have a post every now and then about each of you, something beyond your first introduction post. I would be interested learning more about your education, or past work experiences, or whatever is most important to you as you apply that knowledge here at CSNW. I am so impressed with the thread of compassion and qualifications that runs through and connects all of you. The sanctuary wouldn’t where it is today without all the gifts you bring!
George seems to ‘bite’ his nails. Is that what he is doing and if so, is that due to nerves?
I saw that, too, on the platform during his “alone time”.
I know Burrito did meet with Willy B. but do you ever feel sorry for Burrito not having a male pal living permanently with him. i know there are probably reasons im not aware of, but I sometimes watch him and wish he had a rough and tumble man friend as well as the ladies in his group !
How did (do) you teach the chimps not to touch or climb wire fences on ouside enclosures. Looks like they’re “wired” so am curious how chimps, who are such good climbers, not to touch.
I’ve read that there is a memorial garden where Jody’s statue has been placed. Pretty sure there was a picture of this, but can we get a picture of Jody’s statue in the garden showing all. This would be great…thank you.
Hi Susan! Are you subscribed to our e-newsletter? We send out an email on October 16th with the subject line “good news to share” that included information and a photo of the Jody statue and memorial garden!
Hi! I have just completed my masters degree in which i studied long term social integration in a large group of captive chimps. Naturally, watching george’s journey has been fascinating for me. Do you ever collect any observetional social data on your chimp troops (completely non-invasive, of course!). I also love to see strong female chimps like Jamie leading her group! Girl power!
I’m wondering if you guys notice any stereotypical behaviors in the chinps? I know Jamie occasionally plucks her belly and Lucky has her blanket car, but are there any others? I know in chimps raised by humans, they are much more common.
WIth the loss of Nutmeg, would you consider expanding the family to maybe adding a rescued donkey or two to the herd? They could help with protecting the bovine and lawn maintenance.
Seems to me that some of our chimp friends get a lot of food and others just barely enough. Is their food intake monitored? If some are still hungry do they let you know and is enough food prepared?
Hi again, this is a late one but I hope you’ll pick it up. I just watched the post- Thanksgiving pomegranate lunch and it reminded me….in the wild, I read that chimps eat up to 80% of their diet in figs when they’re available. I’ve never seen figs on the menu at the sanctuary….do they ever get them?