Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Diana

a routine only Jamie would have

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I had the first clips on my phone from Tuesday and was going to post them alone today, and then Jamie went through the exact same routine that she did on Tuesday.

You have to love boss Jamie!

If you are wondering how things are going with the reduced number of humans, it’s going well so far! We are trying to approach this situation as an opportunity to reset as well as think about routines and plans. I have a couple of thoughts about some ways people can help us during this time that I will share with you all next week.

In the meantime, I wish you all good health and the opportunity for you too to reset.

Different Chimpanzee Play Styles

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Who you are depends on who you’re with, wouldn’t you agree?

There are some characteristics that carry over to be sure (note Burrito having something in his mouth in both of his clips in the video above), but part of the joy (and sometimes frustration) of being a social primate is the way that we learn about ourselves by being around other individuals. Our interactions with those around us shape how we feel and how we behave in any given moment.

Watching the chimpanzees certainly impacts how this humans feels. There’s nothing better to boost a mood than watching chimpanzees play with one another.

The Antidote to Stress

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In these stressful and uncertain times, what you definitely need right now is to watch this video of Mave and Honey B playing. What’s your favorite part? Mine might be the big toe to the eye…

This video is a reminder of why the chimpanzees’ relationships with one another are so important and the best type of enrichment.

Jody on a Mission

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Today was The Big Melt, or at least One Big Melt (more snow is on the way according to the forecast). The roof was dripping all day and the patches of snow on the ground seemed to grow smaller with each passing minute.

For Jamie’s group of seven, that meant time on Young’s Hill.

I was going to write out a whole narrative to go along with these sequential photos below, but I thought I’d let you all enjoy them on their own and write the narrative yourselves.

It starts with a determined Jody (as seen at the top of the hill behind the yellow bamboo in the photo at the top of this page).

Missy background, Jody foreground (hiding behind the structure)
a blurry, still determined Jody in the foreground with Missy behind her
Jody with the ice, Missy facing her

Missy in the foreground after Jody had passed, Annie in the background

I don’t know for sure, but I would bet that Jody did not share any of her ice ;).

Later in the day, we opened up the doors from the chute to the fenced-in courtyard for Willy B’s group of three. Mave approached confidently, but turned back around before getting to the end of the chute. Honey B insisted on grooming all of the humans who seemed to be standing around for no reason, and Willy B went to the top of the chute, looked down, and then went back inside to play chase with Kelsi.

So, today was not the day for the three to bravely explore their outdoor habitat, but we will keep offering them the chance.

Something’s Different

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See if you can relate: you have a distinct feeling that something’s different, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. That’s how I felt this morning.

It wasn’t overly warm, but it felt nice outside. With the weather in mind, I tried to be quick with the morning routine so that all of the chimps could get outside – Jamie’s group on the hill and Willy B’s group into the chute.

When I let Jamie’s group onto the hill, all seven chimps flowed out.

The first order of business was trying to see who was in the chute:

Even Negra, who often chooses nesting over going onto the hill made a short foray, in all of her Negra glory (I like the bonus Missy action shot in the first photo):

Watching Negra go outside made me realize what was so different about the morning. No wind!

Having lived in Kittitas County for a total of fourteen years, you would think the lack of wind would be something I’d immediately notice. It’s not the windiest place in the world, but it’s the windiest place I’ve ever lived.

Historically, spring, which we are rapidly approaching, is the most gusty. But this morning was as still as… (insert something that’s really still).

I think the chimpanzees noticed too.

Missy and Annie started a game of chase:

Burrito waited for me to catch up to him for a walk (me on the outside of the fence, of course):

Then he spotted Foxie and Jamie on one of the structures:

so he decided to join them instead:

I got some photos of Willy B, Mave, and Honey B in the chute, but they didn’t pass my approval for posting on the blog. When Mave went back inside, I followed her around to take a few other photos.

Get ready to sigh with affection at Mave’s gorgeousness…

Here she is in the lower portion of their current indoor area:

And here’s a close-up of Mave grooming herself in the mezzanine. There are many, many things about Mave to love (as the video from yesterday illustrates), but I discovered something specific with the photo below. All of those wonderful wrinkles below her eyes when she’s scrunching up her nose! Big sigh. I’m smitten all over again.

I posted another sigh-worthy photo of Mave on our Instagram account – go look if you didn’t catch it earlier.

Of the three new chimpanzees, Mave has the most pals right now.

Surprisingly, of Jamie’s group, Burrito, Annie, and Missy are tied for the fewest pals. Maybe someone reading this will give Honey B, Willy B, Burrito, Annie, or Missy some love by becoming their Pal?!

Don’t forget that the sanctuary will receive a bonus $20 for every new pal that signs up in the month of February and $10 for every new Bovine Buddy thanks to a generous donor. Share the love!

Fall in Love with Willy B

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Happy Valentine’s Eve!

On Saturday, we shared the Fall in Love with Honey B video, so you’ve probably been anticipating this one!

For a little background in case you missed Saturday’s post: a few years ago we made ‘Fall in Love with” videos for all of the chimpanzees. Like right now, these videos were part of a February fundraiser highlighting the Chimpanzee Pal program. The videos are at the bottom of each of the chimpanzees‘ webpages.

I now present to you: Fall in Love with Willy B (see video above).

I anticipated a lot of slinky footage for Willy B’s video, and I knew I would enjoy putting it all together, but it was even more delightful a process than I had anticipated.

One thing you may have noticed from Willy B and Honey B’s videos is the lack of images and footage of them outside. That’s because they are still wary of the electric fence and are choosing not to go into their “courtyard” even when given the opportunity. This hopefully will change with time, and it makes our continued expansion even more important so that they can enjoy a large playroom and indoor-outdoor greenhouse space too!

Tomorrow is the first Valentine’s Day that Honey B, Willy B, and Mave will be celebrating at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

Help us celebrate this special occasion by signing up to be a pal to one of the new three (Mave’s video is in the works) or to any of the chimpanzees at the sanctuary.

For a smaller donation, you can even be a Bovine Buddy to one of the three rescued cows or steer Nutmeg at the sanctuary (video to come before the end of the month)!  Pal and Buddy sponsorships help pay for the care of these unique and charming non-humans.

Thanks to everyone who already contributes to the sanctuary in a myriad ways, including through the Chimpanzee Pal and Bovine Buddy programs. Your donations are very much needed and appreciated!

Fall in Love with Honey B

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A few years ago we made ‘Fall in Love with” videos for all of the chimpanzees. Like right now, these videos were part of a February fundraiser highlighting the Chimpanzee Pal program. The videos are at the bottom of each of the chimpanzees‘ webpages.

The new three needed their own videos too!

So, I present to you: Fall in Love with Honey B (see video above).

This will be first Valentine’s Day that Honey B, Willy B, and Mave will be celebrating at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. They have a few pals right now, but sure could use some more. Chimpanzee Pal (and Bovine Buddy) sponsorships help pay for the daily operation of the sanctuary and the care we provide.

Many people choose to break up their donation and give monthly, and that means we know that those funds will be reaching the sanctuary on a regular basis, helping ensure the monthly bills are paid. We have lots of plans for the future, but the day to day is just as important.

Every day of sanctuary is something new for curious Honey B, and we are so grateful to those who contribute to her care and the care of all ten of the chimpanzees and the four cattle. You make a difference!