Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Elizabeth

Burrito, All Wrapped Up

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In many ways, Burrito is a typical male chimpanzee. He can be blustery and macho. His loud, boisterous displays often involve him swatting the girls as he charges by them, hair standing on end.

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Still, there is something innocent about him. After living for decades in lab cages with extremely limited contact with others of his species, he has encountered many obstacles on the road to understanding chimp behavior. It seems that he genuinely cannot imagine why the girls would get angry with him when he acts out against them during displays. After hitting someone and inciting their wrath, he has been seen running to that individual for a hug of reassurance – asking for reassurance, not giving it.

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When the other chimps give him submissive greetings, instead of receiving them graciously, he squeezes his eyes shut and looks the other way. Whatever he is feeling in these moments looks a lot like social anxiety.

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Considering how uncomfortable he can sometimes be around the other chimps, it is always inspiring to see him try. And he does try. Joining the others in a grooming session or accompanying Jamie on a perimeter walk will probably always give him a little anxiety, but he is determined to keep pushing his own boundaries.

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What Gives Us Comfort

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Some of the Cle Elum Seven have become so attached to their favorite objects or habits that it’s hard to think of the individual without also thinking of their “thing.”

For Foxie, it’s a couple of dolls:

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For Burrito, it’s a toy in his mouth:

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For Jamie, it’s snuggling up with a boot:

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For Negra, it’s a soft nest and a blanket over her head:

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To Know Someone

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There are many obvious differences between the chimpanzees’ current lives in sanctuary and their former lives in research labs. We often mention the blue sky, green grass, fresh air, soft blankets, and good food that are regular features of their lives at the sanctuary.

There’s another difference that I think about often: After decades as faceless lab subjects, treated as little more than the ID numbers tattooed on their chests, the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees are finally known as distinct and unique individuals with distinct and unique personalities, quirks, and preferences. And it’s not just those of us who care for the chimps everyday who know them so well; it’s also all of you who follow the blog and have fallen in love. We’re probably biased, but we think these chimps are the best and they deserve an enormous fan club.

Here’s sweet, gentle, nervous, brave, grass-loving, foot-clapping Annie, unknown and unappreciated for so long. Thank you for loving her.

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Intrepid Explorers

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It’s not the wilds of Africa, but Young’s Hill is looking pretty good this time of year. Even nervous Negra is exploring more than ever.

Negra:

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Missy:

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Jody:

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Burrito, Missy, Annie, Jamie, and Foxie:

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Burrito, Foxie (with Dora), and Jamie:

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Annie:

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Foxie:

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Up Close and Personal

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Grooming is a bonding experience for chimpanzees, and one reason is that it requires a lot of trust in one’s grooming partner. Chimps aren’t afraid to get quite personal with each other. The other day I caught Jamie very gently grooming Negra’s eyes and ears.