Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

J.B.

Seattle Times article and Adventures on the Hill

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Yesterday, the Seattle Times published a great article about CSNW online. It will also appear in the print version of the Seattle Times Pacific NW magazine this Sunday. Please share it widely if you can – we are so grateful to writer Sandi Doughton and photographer Alan Berner for giving the sanctuary and the movement to rescue and retire primates such great coverage.

This morning, the chimps took to the foggy, rain-soaked hill to play and explore.

As usual, Missy led the group outside but quickly sped away and forged her own path across the fire hose vines.

Annie struggled to keep up since she is reluctant to walk quadrupedally (on all fours) outside – especially in wet grass.

Burrito had spent the early part of the morning engaged in wild and varied dominance displays, which did not exactly endear him to the rest of the group. As a result, the girls gave him a chance to cool off for a bit by himself. Here he is wadging what was left of his breakfast chow bag and probably wondering what everyone is so upset about.

Jody managed to keep the Thanksgiving buffet alive for another day after discovering some leftover green beans on the hill.

Foxie kept her Strawberry Shortcake doll close by throughout the morning adventure.

A Flurry of Fall Activity

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I can’t remember a time when we’ve been this busy here at CSNW. It’s gotten to the point where it feels odd when the nail guns, diesel engines, and back up signals fall silent for the evening. But we couldn’t be happier to see all the progress around here! Here’s a brief update on what we’ve been working on this fall.

The Cattle Barn and Pasture:

Last fall we purchased a neighboring property to extend the buffer around the sanctuary and to obtain a second access to the road. The property had been used for horses and contained multiple sheds and paddocks. Some of the property had been neglected, but with a little sprucing up and some new fencing, we whipped it back into shape and it now serves as the winter pasture for our new herd of cattle.

Currently the cattle are using the horse sheds for shelter during inclement weather, but soon they will have a new barn! In the process of expanding the chimp building, we needed to remove the pole barn shelter that protected our mobile vet clinic. Rather than demolishing it, we carefully disassembled it and with the help of volunteers we’re nearly done rebuilding it in the cattle pasture.

This is my favorite photo of the bunch so far, taken by Katelyn (from L to R: Betsy, Honey laying down, Meredith, and Nutmeg):

Trusses going up on the new barn, with the help of the Suncadia volunteer builders crew (who helped build the “Escher” play structure for the chimps earlier this year):

The View Property Residence:

In addition to sheds and paddocks mentioned above, the “View Property”, as we call it, also has a house on it. The house was never permitted by the former owner, however. While this was accounted for in the price of the property, it now presents an opportunity for us to create staff or volunteer housing for potentially very little cost. To do this, we need to work with the county to get the house up to code and obtain permits, and the first step is to have architectural “as built” plans developed. CSNW Board President Caitlin made a connection for us to a Seattle architect who developed the plans for us pro bono. Many thanks to Nguyen for donating his time and expertise to this project!

The View House:

The view from the View House:

The New Driveway:

The process of obtaining a permit to expand our chimp facility has been long and arduous. One of the complications we experienced was a requirement by the DOT to put in a brand new driveway to serve the sanctuary. As luck would have it, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which owns the power lines that run through the southern portion of our 90-acre property, needed to build a new road to service their towers. So we made a deal that would benefit everyone – in the process of building a new road to their towers, they would also build a driveway for the sanctuary that would satisfy the DOT. Because their project got delayed and we were counting on this new driveway in order to get our permits, the BPA agreed to build our section first and rushed to get it done before winter. They’ve laid about a half mile of new road and things should be wrapped up and ready to go next week.

Phase 1 of the Chimpanzee Facility Expansion:

Perhaps most importantly, the first phase of our chimp facility expansion is nearing completion. This addition includes a foyer, a larger bathroom, a new laundry and enrichment room, a veterinary clinic, and quarantine and introduction areas that will allow us to bring more chimps to CSNW. The building was recently painted (and they threw a new coat on the old building as well) and today they poured the sidewalks. The interior of the human areas is close to being finished, with the biggest project remaining being the installation of a fire sprinkler system. We aren’t required by code to install sprinklers in this building but we are confident that the extra protection they will provide to the chimps is well worth the added cost.

With all of this activity around the sanctuary, you might be wondering how the chimps are reacting to it all. I’m happy to tell you that these seven seem to take everything in stride.

On behalf of Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy, Negra…and Betsy, Honey, Meredith, and Nutmeg…as well as the CSNW staff and volunteers…and I guess Ellie, our resident elk, too…thanks so much to all of the generous and loyal donors that have made this progress possible!

 

Breakfast in the Greenhouse

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At CSNW, the day begins with breakfast in the greenhouse. This morning, graduate student Lisa observed Diana serving as part of her caregiver training.
 
Meals are often served directly, as Diana demonstrates in this video.
They can also be spread out as a forage, placed in food puzzles, or done in some combination of the above. Serving individually enables us to give medications, ensures that everyone gets their fair share, and allows us to pick up on slight changes in eating behavior that might indicate changes in their health.
 
The chimps are usually patient and cooperative during meals, though food-stealing does occur and fights do occasionally break out. Notice how the chimps change positions and try to get Diana’s attention to get more of their favorite foods – it takes a lot of practice to be able to remember who’s been served and how much!
 
At one point you will see Annie “crutch walk” in the greenhouse. Chimpanzees sometimes scoot around on extended arms with their butts and legs still in a seated position. It’s an efficient way to get around if you’re not going far!
 
After breakfast, the chimps take to Young’s Hill and look forward to exploring, playing, grooming, and many more meals and snacks to come.

A kiss

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This afternoon, Jody went outside to pick some raspberry bushes. On her way back, she passed by Missy and the two stopped for a kiss.

It’s not uncommon for chimpanzees to kiss like this. Sometimes these kisses resemble our own, with one chimpanzee’s lips pressed against the cheek, lips, or hand of another chimpanzee. Other times they more closely resemble a bite, but with the lips covering the teeth, and may be placed anywhere on the body. Kisses can serve as a greeting, a form or reassurance, or an act of submission. They can reduce tension in moments of conflict, and may serve as a request for permission to hold onto something valuable like food (as Jody may be doing in the photo above) or one’s place in a desirable location. At times they are rough and playful, accompanied by panting or laughter. At other times, they are gentle and loving.

Foxie greeting Burrito

Annie bite Missy browridge

My favorite photo of a kiss is still the one below. When Annie was frightened and screamed for reassurance, Missy leapt to her side and allowed Annie to give her a big open mouth kiss on the lips.

annie kiss missy