Missy harvested gold today! I was watching Missy looking around Negra’s cabin. She ever so slyly ran back into the greenhouse with something in her mouth. She had a good sized wasp nest! As Missy delicately ate the larvae her friends took turns food peering, except Jamie. Jamie found her own gold, leftover fingerling potatoes from a forage. She found a large handful and was quite pleased with herself!
50/50 Chance
In the mornings, especially with two groups of chimps, it’s either calm and playful or a little chaotic and loud, it’s rarely in between. However, this morning the chimps on both sides chose calm and playful. I hope you enjoy this nice long video!
Today is also wish list Wednesday. Donating on our Amazon wish list is really great way to support the chimps and staff!
Flourishing in Sanctuary
If you read the blog daily you have probably heard us use the words elusive or aloof to describe Gordo at some point in time. Gordo has been coming out of his shell for a while now, but recently he has been REALLY playful with not only his chimp friends, but his human friends too. I use this word a lot when talking about the chimps, but it has really been a true honor to watch Gordo flourish in sanctuary. But that is what it is, an honor, especially a chimp like Gordo who always seemed more reserved than others. When someone like Gordo lets you into his circle how could you not!
Gordo’s birthday is on Tuesday, he turns 34! We still have a few party things on the wish list for him!
Bonus photo of Mave:
Thank you all for your questions and ideas! If you missed yesterday’s blog, check it out here! We are so grateful for your support and curiosity! We will be sorting through them and we look forward to writing these ideas for future blogs!
Little Moments with Big Boys
There are always amazing moments happening in the chimp house, some weeks you hold them closer to your chest. For me, I have been holding them tight to my chest. So I thought I would share a few little moments with some of the “Big Boys’!
The other day Cy found me and instigated a big game of chase. Sometimes we were sprinting back and forth in the Marmot room, other times we were walking from Marmot room to Riverview greenhouse, and then we were off sprinting again! Often we would take a break in Riverview and just sit with each other, before he was off sprinting again.
The other morning Gordo was really playful. He was bunny hopping around and chasing everywhere. Eventually, Gordo sat down in one of his favorite enrichment items, a box! We sat peacefully together while Gordo enjoyed the warm greenhouse sun. We didn’t do much together after, we just enjoyed each others company.
This photo is of Terry looking adoringly into one of his favorites foods, an avocado! My moment with Terry though is just the sweet kisses he gives us. Throughout the day he will blow raspberries (or Bronx cheer) to get your attention so he can groom your boots or give you a little kiss on the hand. Terry just likes to spend quality time with his caregivers.
Burrito might not be in the “Big Boys Club”, but he has got a big heart! Recently, we have been playing a lot of chase in the greenhouse and Burrito has been throwing out his somersaults too! To be honest, any moment I get with Burrito is a blessing and truly special.
Navigating Socially
Introductions of chimps takes a lot of trust, for chimps and humans! When we talk about the integration of the nine so many emotions flood through the staff’s head. We are excited, optimistic, terrified, elated, in awe, petrified, and most importantly so so proud! During the whole process everyone has exceeded whatever exceptions we had ever thought possible, especially the “wild cards”. It has been so fun to watch the navigate these social situation! Honey B in particular has made so many friends! For example, Honey B “mall walks” with Rayne, playing with Dora, and being really goofy with Terry. Through this whole process we have been so proud of Honey B, but just the past couple of weeks Honey B has spending more time with other chimps and less time alone and isn’t that what this all about!! I have so much more I want to write and I was starting to make a video of Honey and Terry playing, but unfortunately we had a staff meeting and the day got away from me! Grace promises to post it tomorrow!
Also, yesterday via our e-newsletter, Diana reminded everyone of the $50,000 matching opportunity from Jennifer Douglas that expires in just two days. We are now just $3,736 away from meeting the match! Learn more about it and how you can help us get all the way there: https://chimpsnw.
Here are some photos to get you by until tomorrow!
Dora is the perfect pocket sized friend:
And a classic Jamie pose:
As a update Burrito is also doing great! He has lots of energy and a good appetite!
All Good Things
This morning when we walked into the chimp house, every chimp was super playful! Gordo was bunny hopping around, Annie was playing chase with Burrito and her caregivers, Missy was chasing Jody, Jamie was playfully foot stomping to her caregivers, Dora and Mave were playing, and chimps on both sides were grooming in the greenhouses. Every day at the sanctuary is a great day because the chimps are safe, secure, and cared for, but that does not mean that every day is sunshine and rainbows. Obviously,the chimpanzees have their own feelings and moods, just like us. Some days we walk in and one group is displaying, while the other group is calm. Other days it’s loud everywhere you go. However, most days you get a balance of some calm with a little bit of displaying from time to time. And then you get a day like today, where both sides of the building are just silly and playful!
While most people wanted to play, Negra wanted to sleep all day:
We are running pretty low on magazines. If you have any laying around, I am sure Cy would love to take them off your hands!
Playing with Missy
As many of you know Missy is what we call a chimps’ chimp. She will have these amazing long play sessions with her chimp friends. But as for us human friends she will bless us with a play session from time to time. So when you get to play it doesn’t matter how long it lasts, it’s just special that it happened!
Bonus photos!
Jody enjoying some yellow goats beard flowers:
Negra foraging for grass:
Gordo was hanging out in the sunny warm Riverview greenhouse. Look how handsome he is!!
Gordo grooming himself: