Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Anna

The infectious joy of grabbing feet

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Last week after the chimps’ enjoyed a St. Patrick’s Day party in the greenhouse, Jamie and I went for a walk around Young’s Hill together. Like many of Jamie’s walks, this gives some of the other chimps an excuse to spend some more time outdoors as well. Missy was a bullet of energy, running around starting games of chase with Foxie and Annie. Her signature move of the day? The foot grab!
Missy going in for the “kill” on an unsuspecting Foxie:

Foxie chased Jamie down the hill making similar moves to grab Jamie’s feet:

Annie yanking her foot from Missy’s grasp:

Slow to rise

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Negra isn’t exactly a morning person, so it’s always a surprise to see her without a blanket over her head when we first arrive at the sanctuary. This morning, half her face seemed to be still drooping with sleep and she had some serious bed head:

The sight of staff caregiver Katelyn arriving (with some fresh strawberries in tow) was just the boost she needed to start her day:

Lost and Found

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Foxie started her Young’s Hill morning adventure with a bright pink haired doll and a red headed doll (for those who are keeping up with Foxie’s passions, these are friends of Strawberry shortcake: “Huckleberry Pie” and “Raspberry Torte”)

The next thing I knew, she had found a lost Dora doll in the grass:

Dora’s face was a bit muddy, but Foxie kept her clutched in one hand as she took her safely back to the greenhouse:

Foxie to the rescue!

Strengthening bonds

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Burrito rarely goes a day without causing concentrated chaos in the mornings. It’s as though his displays are a necessary part of his a.m. routine, almost as important as breakfast. Some mornings he starts off being incredibly playful with the other chimps and his caregivers, then eats part of his breakfast, and just like clockwork ends breakfast smoothie service with a raucous display. Other mornings it’s display first, then a peaceful breakfast. We sometimes talk about how Burrito lacks some necessary social skills he needs to be the dominant figurehead in the group. He doesn’t properly respond to the girls’ submissive gestures (often closing his eyes and pretending it’s not happening) and lacks the confidence he needs to truly be “top chimp.” Despite being a bit socially awkward, Burrito is still a good grooming partner. This comes in handy when he has to make up for his wild behavior.

Burrito grooming Foxie this morning:

Lookouts

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The structure we call “Twister” remains a popular spot. This morning, most of the chimps gathered there for some serious territory patrol work. I couldn’t really see what they were looking at (I didn’t have a crow’s nest to climb myself after all), but Jody was most attentive to her duties:

Jody and Missy:

Jody, Jamie and Foxie: