Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Cattails!

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Today dawned sunny and hot from the start. But that didn’t stop Burrito from an exciting game of chase in the greenhouse to start the day off. Sometimes just the sound of our voice greeting the chimps “Good Morning” as we round the greenhouse is enough to get him to fly down the platform, play stomping his foot as he looks to us to chase him. He seems to particularly love when we stand at one end as he charges toward us, play kicks the caging and turns to run back the other way. As you can tell by all of his hair standing on end (pilo-erect) he was pretty excited about chase this morning as he charged toward me:

Ellie quickly moved to her morning shaded spot under the visitor platform as the chimps enjoyed breakfast service in the greenhouse (background):

First thing this morning, Kelsi and I trekked over to one of the ponds on the property to harvest some cattails for the chimps. We are lucky to have a wide variety of wild plants across the property that are safe for the chimps to consume that either we, or they themselves, can harvest. Cattails are a favorite and they love to eat the stalks and then savor them in wadge form throughout the day. We hid a few on Young’s Hill for some lucky foraging chimp to find at some point, but put the rest in the greenhouse. Being hot, the chimps were quick to grab up their share and find a comfortable and cool-ish spot to enjoy them. Here’s Jody:

Cattails are high on the list of favored browse for the boss lady, Jamie (and Annie enjoyed hers in the background):

Burrito:

In memory of Kevin Clark

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Today was sponsored by long-time friend of the chimpanzees, Shelley Winfrey, in memory of her brother, Kevin Clark. Shelley has helped us to care for the chimps in so many ways over the years and is sharing this special day with them, sending along this note: “For my brother, who passed away…he would have loved the chimps!”

Shelley, thank you so much for being Burrito’s Pal, for all the love and support you send him and his family, and for including them as part of your family. Our thoughts are with you today and we hope your thoughts of Kevin are full of joy and comfort. We are so touched that you would share his memory with us all through adding to the lives of the chimps.

Cuties, Burrito and Jamie:

Moments with Jamie

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Jamie enjoyed a particularly relaxing moment this afternoon as she had Jake, one of the graduate students who is currently in training to be a volunteer caregiver, groom her back. She’s training him very well:

I’d like to share a story about Jamie from today that although we couldn’t get photos of, is too wonderful not to include you in. After lunch Jamie asked for her favorite pair of boots and began building a nest with them, which is pretty typical. When Kelsi and I walked down the human hallway of the chimp house awhile later we found her sound asleep and snuggled up with an empty boot box we’d given the chimps for enrichment. When Jamie saw us (because there’s no sneaking up on a chimpanzee), she immediately got excited and asked to go on a walk. Kelsi had put on another boot when suddenly Jamie grabbed the boot box and opened it up. Much to our surprise, she had placed her beloved pair of black boots inside just as if they were a new pair! Maybe you had to be there, but Kelsi and I looked at each other in amazement. It was incredibly endearing. Jamie promptly took the boots, ran upstairs to the loft area and tossed them over the top of the caging so that Kelsi could put them on for a walk and off they went. No matter how long we work with the chimps, they continue to amaze us every day.

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For Deborah and her Dad

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Deborah Bishop who shares this lovely message about today:

“For my birthday and in honour of my dear Dad who imparted a profound love of the natural world and all the creatures great and small with whom we share it. With gratitude to all of you who give your time, energy and commitment to this amazing sanctuary.” 

Deborah, this is such a beautiful sponsorship and we are so happy to celebrate your birthday and your Dad with you! What a wonderful gift your Dad gave you to carry with you throughout life. He will be in our thoughts today. Thank you so much for including the chimpanzees in your special day and for helping to ensure their lives are full of all the good things. All of us wish you the happiest of birthdays!!

Annie and Foxie:

Annie and Missy:

Burrito and Jody:

Negra:

Jamie and Missy:

Jamie’s style

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You may have read past blog posts in which we’ve shared that we have daily calendars with themes for the chimps’ daily enrichment. The themes are things like “blue” day, “tea party” day, or “clothing” day. We don’t assume the chimps are aware of the themes, but they definitely help the humans think out of the box and keep things fresh. And we love that the chimps then have the choice to engage with (or ignore) their enrichment exactly as their interest and curiosity dictates at any given time.

Yesterday’s theme was “troll scarves.” Jamie in particular loves these and chose to wear one to lunch today. She definitely knows what works for her. She is such a strikingly beautiful chimpanzee woman.

In memory of Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty

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Today was sponsored by Joan O’Flaherty in memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen, and their anniversary. Ned and Noreen cared deeply for animals and the environment. Joan has been honoring and celebrating her parents on their anniversary and their shared birthday for many years now and we couldn’t be more honored to be included in such special memories.

Joan, thank you so much for continuing to include the chimps in your life and your heart as you celebrate and cherish your parents’ memory. We are so grateful to you for the lasting difference you make in the chimps’ lives. Our thoughts are with you and your family today.

Burrito and Jody:

Jamie and Burrito:

Jamie & Burrito 7

Burrito and Foxie:

Foxie and Burrito groom and play