Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

J.B.

New camera!

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The chimps aren’t the only ones receiving gifts this holiday season. Our Board of Directors has generously donated the digital SLR camera from our wishlist. It’s similar to Diana’s personal camera that we have been using, but it has the added capability of recording video.

Because it accepts all of the same zoom lenses, we can now film the chimps in areas of the building that were previously out of range for the point and shoot camera. Plus it will allow us to get great close up video when they are roaming their two-acre enclosure this summer. Take a look:

Grooming

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Grooming is one of the most important activities in chimpanzee society. The caregivers at CSNW play an important role in the chimps’ social world, so we also groom with the chimps when they request it. Some of the chimps like to be groomed by their caregivers, but others, like Jamie, prefer to do the grooming.

Novelty

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Captive chimpanzees are often cautious about changes in their environment. When we recently replaced the straw on the floor of the outdoor area with a deep layer of wood chips, we expected some of the chimps to be reluctant to walk on them. We were right about that, but I never would have guessed that Jamie would be nervous while Burrito would act like nothing had changed!

One of the reasons why we put the tractor tires out there in the first place is that ex-laboratory chimpanzees are often initially hesitant to walk on natural substrates. The tires allowed them to get outside with getting their feet dirty or wet. Of course, they all got used to it eventually, just as they will get used to the wood chips. But for some, especially Foxie, it may take a little while.

A different perspective

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Our blog is biased. When you watch our videos, you are likely to see the chimps eating, playing, making nests, or using enrichment. Our blog posts are based on impromptu recordings of the daily goings on here, and these are the things that tend to catch our eye.

You are less likely to see the chimps spitting at us, poking us, or fighting with each other. These things do happen (on a daily basis), but they are much harder to capture on film. So here’s a look at the other (healthy and perfectly normal) side of chimps. It’s not always easy to be a caregiver, but it’s always interesting!