Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

Katelyn

Cold, but cozy

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The mornings here at the sanctuary have been clear, but icy cold. The chimps have all been in good spirits despite choosing to spend a little more time indoors and most of them spent the morning thundering through the chimp house and anxious to play. But the afternoon has been for snoozing in warm, sunny spots.

Foxie was the most joyful, wild woman when we arrived this morning. Granted, she usually is, but this morning was next level! The second I walked into the chimp house she greeted me by repeatedly jumping up and play thumping the ceiling of the loft (my cue to jump up and hit the arch of the doorway in return – silly human can’t jump far) and then playing chase. It’s a thing. She spent the entire morning doing somersaults, pirouettes, hanging upside-down and playing chase with all her caregivers. As a result, she needed a few naps later in the day and curled up on the heated floor of the playroom in a sunny spot:

We refer to this as Foxie’s “dead beetle pose” which she usually does when she’s feeling playful or relaxing:

Once Foxie started dozing off, I saw Jamie standing over her attempting to get her to play by pinching her toes. But Foxie was too exhausted for any shenanigans so Jamie eventually gave up and decided to bring her new boots over to just hang out with her friend:

Jamie has been carrying her new boots from friend, Kelsi, around all morning to nest with:

Sooo sleepy:

The chimps aren’t the only ones feeling sleepy and looking for sun puddles on these frosty cold mornings:

Nutmeg and Honey:

Betsy:

As soon as J.B. put fresh hay out for them yesterday they all four promptly curled up on it together in the sun, enjoying breakfast in bed.

Meredith and sleepy Nutmeg on a hay pile in the sun:

Betsy and her “baby boy,” Nutmeg:

Nutmeg:

Kelsi and Jamie are out for a pre-dinner walk before the sun sets over the hill and Negra should be clapping her demands for dinner service from the loft any second. Hoping you all are also finding the joy and cozy in these beautiful crisp mornings, be they your autumn or spring.

The never-ending pumpkin

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The day after Jamieween I happened upon everyone but Jamie surrounding the remains of the great Jamieween pumpkin. (If you’re new to the blog, Jamieween is what we call Halloween here at the sanctuary as it’s also the day we celebrate boss lady, Jamie’s, honorary birthday). It’s amazing how far one ginormous pumpkin can go. And even more amazing that the chimpanzees crowded around said ginormous pumpkin giving each other turns at sticking their heads in for ginormous bites of it with relatively few kerfuffles. Though as you will see, a certain rather small chimpanzee woman seemed to be pulling every trick in the chimpanzee communication book to wind up with the pumpkin a lot more often than everyone else. Maybe the most amazing thing is “How much pumpkin can one tiny chimpanzee hold?”

And if you’re wondering where the boss was in all of this, she was actually sitting calmly and watching from afar. See, the ironic (and now much anticipated) thing about Jamieween is that Jamie isn’t always super interested in her Jamieween pumpkin because she seems to have deemed other treats a higher priority. But that makes Jody (who for the last three (?) years running has made it her mission to heist the pumpkin as fast as she can, and eventually six other chimpanzees, extremely happy.

Foxie wound up with it first and as you can see from her smile (note bottom teeth only!) she is over the moon about it:

Foxie did a lot of whimpering and asking permission from her good friend, Jody, to keep the pumpkin for awhile which seemed to pay off as Jody was extra patient waiting her turn:

as Foxie ate…

and ate…

and ate…

But Jody eventually could wait no longer and dove right in:

Notice Annie in the background waiting to make her move. She was getting pretty impatient, but finally saw her chance.

Once Annie got ahold of the pumpkin she climbed to the top of the greenhouse with it which Jody wasn’t entirely pleased about. Missy swung up to check things out and with much pleading from Annie (as Missy is more dominant than she is) she kindly allowed Annie to keep it. In the end, everyone got to share in the prize and Queen Negra wound up claiming the last chunk for herself.

Bonus photos of the day!

Negra enjoying breakfast in bed this morning:

Watching all those other foolish chimpanzees racing off onto the hill where it’s cold and there’s no breakfast:

Jamie supervising one of the gentleman painting her home and giving her nod of approval:

And dearest Foxie napping this afternoon:

In memory of John Noble and Tom Casias

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Leslie Noble and Tommy Casias are getting married today! They’ve done so much to support the chimpanzees in memory of their fathers, John Noble and Tom Casias, including sponsoring today in their honor as part of this special day. Leslie and Tommy shared this beautiful message about their gift:

“To our dads: You both had great compassion for all animals and we want nothing more than to preserve that connection. And through this conservation, it’s a great way to keep that compassion alive through us and our love for animals as well.”

Leslie and Tommy, thank you so much for making a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives as you honor your dads and all they mean to you on such a wonderful day of celebration! We’re touched to be able honor John and Tom with you and thank you for continuing their inspiring legacy of compassion. All of us here at the sanctuary send you our heartfelt congratulations and wish you all the best for a life full of love, joy, hope and adventure, just as you and your dads have helped provide the chimpanzees.

Annie and Missy, the best of friends:

A pot of gold

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When we arrived at the sanctuary this morning we had sun showers and a full rainbow over the sanctuary property. You know, those crazy sprinkles coming from a seemingly cloudless sky? And when volunteer, Ruth, arrived a few moments later, she said the chimp house appeared to literally be sitting at the bottom of the rainbow. It does so often feel that this special place is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

The chimps have been soaking up every ounce of autumn sun as the rains are starting to make their way here. They all ran out with gusto this morning after breakfast, together, but then each spreading out in their own direction, their own ray of sun.

Jody watching over her family on Young’s Hill:

Burrito wearing his puffy coat in the cool morning air:

Missy:

Missy on the go:

Annie may have been avoiding snake territory:

Foxie, Dora and Strawberry Shortcake decided to join Annie:

Burrito:

Jody:

Negra was bundled up in the greenhouse enjoying the remainder of her breakfast. 🙂

Meanwhile, Jamie busied herself today building one of her beloved kitchenette forts for herself and her new pair of boots:

Business and pleasure

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As those of you who have been following the chimps for awhile are well aware, Jamie takes her self-appointed duties as boss very seriously.

What we most love is how over the years Jamie also takes her pleasure more and more seriously:

And a bonus Burrito photo who has been wavering between tough guy and adorable man-child chimp all day. This is his you better get out of here with that camera look which was immediately followed by a laugh and foot stomp indicating we should play chase:

Missy held hostage

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After the chimps returned from their morning foray around the hill, Annie climbed to the top of the greenhouse to make a nest and get warm. She immediately started clapping her feet together and making her patented bird noised (whistling through her hands) which if you’re new-ish to the blog is Annie speak for “I am extremely happy and content right now.”

Best friend, Missy, climbed up to join her where they had a sweet grooming session. Missy doesn’t often care to have her photo taken and I admittedly took advantage of the fact that she was held hostage by Annie who was grooming her back to snap a few quick photos with her permission. It didn’t take Missy long to turn her back so I’m happy to have captured a few of her beautiful self. Thanks, Missy!

When chimpanzees groom one another or themselves, they typically make a variety of distinct sounds with their mouths, tongues and teeth to communicate their intentions. We humans do this as well when the chimps invite us to groom with them through the caging. Each chimp has their own style to some degree which can include, lip-smacking, teeth-clacking or blowing raspberries. Annie was utilizing the raspberry technique:

Taking her job very seriously:

Missy said, “A little lower”:

Happy Birthday, Vicki!

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Jim and Kim Horton sponsored this day of sanctuary in honor of a dear friend of the chimps, Vicki Fagerlee, and shared this sweet message:

“Please enjoy this day in honor of Vicki Fagerlee’s Birthday, our loving Mother, Mother-in-Law, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother (we refer to her as Grams and as you know, she loves the Chimps and the sanctuary).”

Jim and Kim, thank you so much for including the chimps in your celebration of wonderful Vicki! We’re so fortunate to call her part of our chimp family as well!

Vicki, Happy Birthday! From our hearts, thank you for all you do to make a lasting difference in the lives of the chimps and their future family members. May this day and year ahead be filled with all the joy, wonder, excitement, love and sense of home that you have helped provide the chimps. We hope it’s your best birthday yet!

Beautiful Annie:

Burrito:

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:

Jamie:

Jody:

Missy: