All of the chimps put in a respectable showing at today’s Easter egg hunt, but there was one clear winner.
Keeping It Clean
It’s a safe bet that anything you give to a captive chimpanzee will go immediately into their mouth, and if it’s possible to swallow it, they will swallow it. Those of you who have expressed an interest in sending gifts to the chimps have probably been directed to our incredibly detailed safety guidelines for enrichment.
Occasionally we put out a few buckets of soapy water for the chimps – they like to play with the bubbles and sometimes they’ll even pitch in with some cleaning. Always keeping in mind that they can’t be trusted not to ingest whatever we give them, we use only a tiny drop of plant-based non-toxic soap. And that’s a good thing given Annie and Missy’s choices this morning:
Annie:
Missy:
A Moment with Missy
Missy generally prefers chimpanzee company to human company, but she’s in such a good mood on this sunny spring day that she summoned staff caregiver Anna for a little grooming.
A Game with Burrito
For Burrito, tug of war is a full-body workout.
On Duty
Boss Jamie has a long list of (mostly) self-imposed duties, including (but not limited to) monitoring the whereabouts and activity of all living beings on her domain. No matter where she is, she always knows where you are.
She’s also responsible for ensuring strict compliance with all rules and protocols. She oversees all volunteer training. This afternoon she showed Level III trainee Caroline how we groom.
Constant vigilance can be tiring, so she allows herself short breaks before resuming her work.
Relax!
A year ago yesterday we posted this video of Jamie exploring a sandbox. Jamie takes her job as boss very seriously, and she doesn’t often sit back and kick her feet up, so to speak. But something about sifting through the sand seemed to captivate and relax her. And watching this video captivates and relaxes us.
And here’s a bonus portrait of the Zen master herself.
Adventure Interrupted
Jamie may be the leader of the Cle Elum Seven, but Jody is the den mother. She always looks out for the other chimps – making sure they’re safe and accounted for – and sometimes this means “collecting” them if they venture too far outside.
This morning Negra seemed in the mood for a little outdoor adventure, but “mama” Jody wasn’t so sure.
