Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Jackie

Problem solvers

by

Being the master problem solver she is, one would probably guess that Jamie is super skilled at raisin boards. And they would be right.

Raisin boards are wooden blocks with holes drilled in them that we stuff with dried fruit (because of their size raisins usually work best, but I used dried apricot pieces and dried blueberries in the photos below). We occasionally pass these out (with small skewers or sticks) as an evening “enhanced enrichment” activity, because not only does it encourage tool use and problem solving skills, but it keeps everyone busy and entertained for quite a while. Jamie often uses a technique similar to sewing- she pokes the stick slightly through, grabs it on the other side with her teeth and pulls it the rest of the way so the raisin either skewers on her stick or just falls out. It’s pretty fascinating, actually.

Jody does occasionally use tools, but she usually just pulls the fruit out with her teeth- a method that is also quite successful.

Caregivers as enrichment

by

Let’s face it- no matter how much we do to spice up captivity with enrichment and projects, it can still get pretty boring sometimes. We try to do what ever we can to keep the chimps entertained, including simple things like drinks from the hose. The chimps have access to water 24 hours a day, but sometimes they just seem to prefer to have us “fill them up”, so to speak, instead. Chimps have prehensile lips and a large pouch in their bottom lip, so they can hold a lot of water in there! And, as always here at CSNW, they have the choice to drink or…

In memory of Delores Daugherty

by

Today’s sponsor-a-day is in memory of Kate Daugherty’s mother, Delores Daugherty. Kate is a chimp house volunteer. This is what she shared:

“I would like to sponsor this day of sanctuary for the Cle Elum Seven in memory of my mom, Delores Daugherty. Today would have been her 79th birthday. She passed away when I was 16 and I miss her every day. But I also see and feel her every day in all that I do and most love in life. I am so very grateful to her for that. I know that she would be as madly in love with these seven chimpanzee people as I am. I’m profoundly aware of the importance of the mother/child bond. So with my mom in mind, I also honor all that each of the chimps has lost and all that they carry with them.”

Thank you so much for honoring your mother’s memory in this very special way, Kate.

Allies

by

Grooming is a very important part of chimpanzee culture and serves to form alliances and strengthen bonds. The other night, there was a minor fight and Jamie got a couple of wounds on her foot and on her head. Missy is usually our most diligent groomer and often follows folks around trying to groom their injuries, which is exactly what she did for Jamie today. I suppose she could just be a clean-freak, or she could be strengthening her allies for the next conflict– it’s pretty smart either way.

Valentine’s Day fun

by

Parties are so much fun here at CSNW. On today’s party menu was strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apples, dried pears, bananas, beets, sunflower seeds and tons of mixed nuts. We received a plethora of decorations and new toys from our friends Dick and Robbi Brown, Felicity, Stephanie, and Kate. Food was hidden in all kinds of Valentine’s Day themed boxes, cups, and gift bags and the playroom was filled with awesome new toys, including at least 5 new Valentine’s Day troll dolls. Thanks so much everyone!

Step one= party:

Annie drinking pomegranate juice:

Jamie opening her “Valentine”:

Foxie checking out one of her new Valentine’s Day trolls:

Step 2= nap.

Negra in her festive Valentine’s Day nest:

Burrito getting in touch with his feminine side:

Needless to say, a good time was had by all! Happy Valentine’s Day!