Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
Missy had such an amazing birthday party yesterday! Because we had so much to cover for her party we weren’t able to share what happen over on Dora’s side of the building! They also had a lunch forage to celebrate Missy. Please enjoy the video and photos from yesterday!
Willy B with an arm full and a mouth full of chow:
Rayne in all her pepper glory:
A very distinguished Mave:
Mave swooping in to grab tomatoes:
Gordo with a mouth full of what we think is chow:
Sweet Dora:
Burrito had a pretty busy day! It seemed like everyone wanted to play with him, which for Burrito is the perfect kind of day! It was fun to see that even Annie wanted to join in! Burrito and Annie do play and interact with one another. However, they tend to have some miscommunications with each other as well, so to catch a small moment of them having a good time is always a treasure.
It’s hard to decide whether or not to film these fun moments the chimps are having with one another. Pulling out our phones or camera can often distract or stop them from engaging in the interaction with each other, and there are times when it feels like they should just have the time to play and interact without us disrupting them. There are other times when we decide that maybe they are in the moment enough to not notice and we go for it. We never want to interrupt, but we also want to be able to share it! Today was a day I was able to capture these moments without bothering the chimps!
Bonus! Today was a warm one, so what better way to cool down than with a Popsicle!
Foxie approved!
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!
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!
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!
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.
