Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) is an important part of how we care for the chimpanzees at CSNW. It allows us to work together to accomplish a variety of goals, from daily shifting to access their spaces for cleaning, emergency recall when there is danger present (for example a rattlesnake in their outdoor enclosure), regular monitoring of chronic health conditions (for example utilizing the Kardia Mobile to obtain ekg readings) as well as acute injuries (obtaining an x-ray on a hand or foot, or presenting a wounded body part for inspection and cleaning), and much more all while rewarding the chimps for their cooperation with something that is motivating for them. In today’s blog video, see what the chimps have been learning lately, and make your guess as to who will be the star student!
Trifecta Jubilee 2026
Today is one of the biggest holidays on the CSNW calendar, the Trifecta Jubilee! Today we celebrate Negra and Terry’s birthdays, as well as the arrival anniversary of the Cle Elum 7. Today’s video follows Negra as she celebrates her 53rd birthday.
With Negra’s mobility challenges over the past few months, we weren’t sure if we would get to celebrate another birthday with her. We have enjoyed every minute we got to spend celebrating with her today, and tried to fill her day with all of her favorite things. Today’s menu included coconuts, lychee, figs, romaine lettuce, sugar snap peas, Hawaiian rolls, cornbread, pancake hearts with whipped peanut butter, mini banana cream pies, sparkling cider, banana leaves, and homegrown grape vines from Caregivers Diana and JB’s house, as well as roses from Caregiver Sabrina’s garden. Dinner is coming up, and will include baked sweet potatoes and coconut whipped cream.
The most rewarding part of the day was seeing Negra get to spend another few hours with her whole group, something she hasn’t been able to do since her mobility first declined in March. She gets daily visits from several friends at a time, but has not lived in the whole group due to the risk of fighting and Negra either not being able to get away, or accidentally getting hurt while trying to get away. We decided early on in navigating her mobility challenges that the risks of a fall in the playroom were too great to give her access, and the playroom is an important space for the group as a whole. To reduce the risk of having her with the whole group today, we closed the group out of the playroom and then let Negra out into the greenhouse with them, and everyone was able to enjoy the party together. Afterwards, they relaxed and groomed until it was time to go back inside.
I think it’s safe to say that Negra enjoyed her day. Turn the volume up to hear many happy food squeaks!
An Afternoon with Teeny Tiny Terry
Terry is someone who really loves to spend quality time with his human friends. Many volunteers and staff can attest that Terry will go to great lengths to get your attention, and if you can’t interact with him yet (interactions with the chimpanzees require multiple levels of training first), he will let you know of his displeasure with that situation by spitting water at you, often aimed at your boots. Many of the other chimps in Terry’s group also want to spend time with their human friends, so it can be tricky to make time for everyone. I had some extra time the other afternoon, so I sought out sweet Terry. In today’s blog video, come along for an afternoon of Terry!
Afternoon Fun with Gordo and George
We recently celebrated George’s first anniversary of sanctuary living! From our first blog announcing his arrival, his first ventures into the chute then the greenhouse and finally the Bray, meeting new friends for the first time (his now group-mates Cy, Terry, Rayne, Gordo, Lucky, and Dora, as well as Mave and Willy B), then living full time in his new group and navigating the social intricacies of chimpanzee life, mastering the art of nest building, his first sanctuary Christmas, and his first birthday in sanctuary, George has accomplished so much in his short time here, and there’s so much more to come!
It has been incredibly rewarding to watch him build relationships with other chimps throughout the introduction process, and even more rewarding to watch him live life within a social group. To say he and his progress have impressed us would be an understatement. Cy and Rayne have been his greatest teachers, as we had hoped an anticipated before beginning the introduction process. What was unexpected, but has been the best surprise, was his fast friendship with Gordo. In today’s video, come along for an afternoon of fun with Gordo and George!
The Importance of Friends
Due to Negra’s reduced mobility, she has not been living within her group as a whole, but gets visits from friends each day. In today’s blog video, see Negra enjoy some quality time with her good friend, Burrito.
I Get by With a Little Help From my Friends
The mood around the sanctuary has been more serious the past few weeks as we navigate Negra’s mobility challenges. Quality time with the chimpanzees is my antidote for the toughest of days, and I have been finding a lot of joy in the little moments with the chimps. In today’s blog video, come along for some of these moments of joy.
Bruce certainly helps, too!
Jenna pets Bruce.
Bruce takes a rest in Krissy’s lap.
George’s 22nd Birthday in Photos
Today we celebrated George’s 22nd birthday, and his first here with us at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest! Caregiver Krissy planned his big day, and made sure it was filled with many of his favorite things. On the menu were grapes, blackberries, oranges, apples, strawberries, pears, baked sweet potatoes, cherry tomatoes, mini peppers, cucumbers, ice treats, bucket of juice, and popcorn balls made with popcorn and a small drizzle of honey and peanut butter.
Party favors for George’s big day included lots and lots of paper for nesting and many fuzzy socks and sweatbands. The party started indoors in the playroom before branching out onto The Bray, where Krissy had hidden several whole fruits at the very top of The Bray! George was too excited about all of his juice buckets and ice treats to make the journey all the way to the top of The Bray initially.
George enjoys his party.
George
Gordo (L) and George (R)
George with an ice treat
George’s friends Cy, Gordo, and Rayne scored the whole fruit loot! Gordo is pictured here with a whole apple in his mouth. As I write this blog George is on his way up The Bray, while playing with Rayne.
Gordo and his apple prize!
One member of George’s group, Terry, was not able to be present for today’s party. Terry underwent a routine exam and some dental work yesterday, and stayed separate from his group today to allow him to have a little more time to rest before rejoining them. He is doing well and should be reunited with his friends tomorrow. We’ll share more about his exam in another post.
Terry, up close and personal!
We celebrated George’s birthday with Negra and friends as well. Negra continues to be separated from the group as a whole due to her mobility issues, but has play dates with different members of her group each day. Today, Burrito and Foxie joined Negra for a forage celebration in the Greenhouse. Jamie, Missy, Annie, Foxie, and Burrito had a breakfast forage to start off the day! Honey B, Willy B, and Mave also enjoyed a forage celebration, but I didn’t manage to get any good photos of their party.
Come back tomorrow for a video of George’s birthday festivities!
