Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Kelsi

Feels like Sanctuary

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Today really felt like sanctuary, I mean everyday does, of course! But everyday is different, each chimps mood varies, what they feel like doing, or not doing. Today was full of patrol walks, laughter, exploring, displaying, excited breathy pants, and of course a few non shifters ;). The beauty of sanctuary is choice and with that choice gives them a sort of freedom, not the freedom they should have and very much deserve, but the closest freedom they can have. Some days I will catch moments that just make your heart want to burst with joy, like Jamie chasing Foxie on Young’s Hill. Because those moments are what sanctuary is all about!

We just updated our wish list for Wildlife Toybox. They have some really fun durable enrichment, we especially need the mirror cover for our “Looky Lou”!

Rayne says goodnight!

Lunch with Cy

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The other day Cy decided he didn’t want to have his lunch in the playroom, he wanted to eat in the front rooms. I can’t blame him, the front rooms have the best people watching and Cy likes people! We put all his lunch in the food chute and he enjoyed it at his leisure. Part of lunch with Cy is just sitting with him and from time to time he will put a finger out to touch the back of your hand. After lunch, it was back to reading magazines!

We just started adding Jamieween enrichment onto the wish-list today! If we are out of Jamieween items by the time you get on the wish-list we have lots of other things we need.

As for intros today, here is a photo of Terry, Cy, Mave, and Willy B all grooming on one small bench. And yes they had larger benches and other rooms, but they all wanted to be on this tiny bench together :).

Give Them Smoulder

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I think we can all agree that Willy B is one handsome chimp, Jody might even use the word hunk! This morning we changed up the routine and let Willy B’s group out onto the Courtyard first. Willy B seemed pretty excited because he went straight to door W which leads right out to the Courtyard and waited for me to give him access. Willy B spent the whole morning out there! The sun was so warm, he decided to lay down on the boardwalk and bask in it. While relaxing on the boardwalk I snapped a few photos of Willy B, I mean look at him! He has this almost smouldering or brooding look.

 

Cy and Honey B Meet Again

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As Chad mentioned yesterday, it was a busy day and today was no different. Introductions continue, today we were able to have Cy and Honey B meet again! We can almost guarantee when we try to separate chimps to do introductions that Cy is the first to offer his help. While this is helpful, we also want Mave, Willy B, and Honey B to meet other individuals. However, it is important for everyone to establish strong relationships with each other, so meeting multiple times is good. So far Honey B is kicking butt at making friends! As you will see in the video, Cy and Honey B have a lot of fun together, it is rough play, but the both of them have a good time!

Do not forget to bid on our amazing auction items. If you haven’t looked at the art pieces yet, they will take your breath away! I personally have my eye on the Nutmeg watercolor. Join us on Saturday at 6pm for virtual HOOT!

Cy greeting us good morning in the Green House.

Lucky wrapped in a LOT of paper.

Let’s Try This Again

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I had this blog written around 1 pm. It was intended to be all about Neggie, but then we did an intro with Honey B and Terry today. Honey B and Terry’s first introduction didn’t go as we had hoped. Since then we have had them meet at the mesh a few times. Yesterday they met again at the mesh and it went really well, they were playing and laughing. We were so close to opening the door, however we humans were not quite ready yet. So today we decided if it went as well as yesterday we would open the door. Today we opened the door after letting them hangout at the mesh for a while and they did SO well! As you will see in the video, they are laughing, wrestling, and grooming. These behaviors give us hope that they have potential to integrate into a group of 9. Now, I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. Dyadic meeting can go really well, but once you had more chimps, it changes the dynamic of the group. But for now this was a HUGE success!

Since I teased you with an almost Neggie blog I might as well share it! This morning, as Missy’s group went onto Young’s Hill, I saw the usual people go outside. Missy sprinting out first, of course. Foxie, Jody, Annie, and Bubba formed a line and all marched out together. Jamie sauntered out on her own, but when I turned around to look at Negra in her usual nesting spot, she wasn’t there. Instead she was sitting on the Hill soaking in the warm sunshine and eating some delicious grass.






Everybody Loves Dora

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Humans and chimps all really do love Dora, who wouldn’t! As I walked by the front rooms I found Rayne and Dora playing. Eventually, Lucky wanted to join the fun. Dora may be teeny tiny, but she can hold her own if she needs to! Dora may be small, but she sure is mighty!

After the play session Lucky needed to rest.

Cy guy <3. I think Cy has stolen everyone’s heart in this chimp house. I truly have never met a chimp sweeter than Cy.

Missy spying on the neighbors, while wearing a stylish grape sock.

Burrito being his perfect self!

And Jamie! She built this incredibly cozy, comfy, HUGE nest and then tucked herself in.

 

 

Chimp ID: Lucky

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Since Lucky’s group is still new to all of us I thought it would be fun to do another chimp ID. Who better than Lucky to do it with! Lucky is really special. As we get to know her, she is super fun and really silly. There is something in Lucky’s eyes too, they are warm and inviting. She really is just awesome!

Lucky seems to like these scarves we put out as enrichment.

Lucky has no white marks or freckles on her face, but she does have a distinguished white beard.

Lucky isn’t a small chimp, she has a little belly that moves around when she breathy pants, it’s the best!

Lucky has very kind eyes and loves to make deep eye contact with you.

From certain angles Lucky reminds us of Washoe, sometimes Lucky looks just like her!

But Lucky really looks like her full sibling Cy! Lucky has a large browridge, which is why she looks like her brother.

But looks aside there is no one in the world like Lucky, as I said before she is a really special individual!