Jody and Negra share the same passion for peace, quiet, and comfortable nests.
Negra:
Jody:
Sanctuary, seven ways
Sanctuary means different things for the seven chimpanzee individuals that live in Cle Elum, Washington.
Negra’s sanctuary lies in the solitude and comfort of a giant nest:
And sometimes the chance to peacefully pick wild greens on Young’s Hill
Jody finds sanctuary in the company of others:
as well in moments of quiet:
and bounty:
If Annie had to spell sanctuary, she would spell it M-I-S-S-Y:
Missy’s sanctuary is all about movement!
Jamie’s sanctuary is filled with cowboy boots:
And boot related activities:
Burrito’s sanctuary needs to be delicious:
and fun!
Foxie’s sanctuary wouldn’t be complete without dolls:
and friends!
and friends that steal said dolls and play keep-away!
First Responder Days
The sanctuary is no stranger to relying on the kindness of our community’s first responders. In 2012 we were faced with the terrifying Taylor Bridge Fire, a huge wild fire that threatened and destroyed many homes in our area. Last year another smaller fire broke out on a nearby property.
We know that wildfire is a risk during the summer in this area, and the chimp house was built with that in mind. We have emergency plans in place and now have a sprinkler system that surrounds the building. Still, for each of these events, we were very fortunate to have the Kittitas County Fire Department protecting the chimpanzees’ home. We are incredibly grateful for their service to the community. This year we arranged a couple of special visits for the county’s first responders to come meet the chimpanzees and get more information on our building and property. Last weekend Kittitas County Fire District #7 came out.
Of course, Ellie/Buttons had to say hello to some of her old friends:
And today we welcomed District #1 from Thorp. As soon as Jamie saw the black rugged boots everyone was wearing, she took off on a walk around Young’s Hill and we all accompanied:
Most of the other chimpanzees also came out to see what was going on.
Today’s amazing group from Kittitas County Fire District 1. It was so nice to meet everyone in a non-emergency setting!:
An odd relationship
We’ve seen Foxie put her dolls in precarious places, just so she could rescue them. We’ve also seen her hug and groom them lovingly. There are moments in the day when she throws them up and catches them, or hits them with tools. There are also moments like this..
Reflections
Mirrors (and front facing camera phones) are popular enrichment with the chimpanzees. This afternoon Jody took a moment to check up on her reflection (via caregiver cell phone) as she lounged in her nest.
Free refills
The chimpanzees have access to water spigots at all times during the day, but sometimes they enjoy a refreshing drink straight from the hose. Jamie occasionally adds a personal twist to the caregiver interaction when she brings her own cup.
Negra forages
The chimpanzees all have different techniques for foraging out on Young’s Hill. Most of them will take multiple trips and comb every inch of the ground and structures for every bit of produce and primate chow.
This is not Negra’s technique.
When Negra forages she usually heads for one area and picks up whatever she can see, then heads back to her comfortable nest in the greenhouse. Being active and exploring (even if it means more food), is not Negra’s normal style. She has more of a one and done technique, and you might imagine she doesn’t always come away with a ton of food. This afternoon’s lunch forage paid off big for her though. When we opened the door to Young’s Hill, she rushed to just the right spot and made off with a whole bushel of fresh carrots.
