Some might say that it’s undignified for those in their golden years to be so silly, but the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees don’t think so. (And neither do we.)
Building Trust
Out of all the humans who work and volunteer at the sanctuary, only a handful have any sort of physical contact with the chimpanzees. Those who do must go through months of safety training first. Chimpanzees are incredibly strong and unpredictable, so we take these safety rules very seriously. Even the chimps’ wonderful local vet, Dr. Erin Zamzow, never touches the chimps unless they are sedated for a medical procedure. (Did I mention that we take our safety rules seriously?)
Dr. Erin has been assisting the sanctuary for years, and has been an integral part of several procedures, but still the chimps primarily know her as the doctor who comes around when something scary happens. So in an effort to demystify her a little, she’s been spending more time at the sanctuary – we want her to be a familiar, non-threatening presence in the chimps’ lives. She is currently going through caregiver training; when she’s done, she’ll be able to serve meals to the chimps, play chase and tug of war, groom, and give back rubs. She’ll be a trusted friend.
Giving Thanks
Today we’re thankful for love, family, and food grunts.
On today’s menu:
Field Roast with gravy
baked apples
green beans
cranberry sauce
sweet rolls
baked potatoes
roasted chestnuts
sparkling apple cider
We hope you and your family enjoy your festivities as much as the Cle Elum Seven enjoyed theirs. Happy Thanksgiving!
Personal Quirks
Burrito is a man of many charms.
Joy
As we head into winter and moods might be dipping, it seemed like time for a compilation of Foxie being the joyful being she is.
Keeping Fit
Boss Jamie does frequent patrols of the perimeter of the chimps’ outdoor habitat to make sure everything is on the up and up. These patrols happen multiple times each day, and most of the time Jamie prefers for a caregiver or three to accompany her (and sometimes some of the other chimps tag along also). A walk around the hilly 2-acre habitat is good exercise for everyone involved, but occasionally Jamie pushes us to go a little faster.
Turkey feathers for Jamie
Enrichment comes in many forms…
