Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Kelsi

Happy 38th Birthday Burrito!

by

Today we celebrated Burrito’s 38th birthday! The fact that Burrito has a birthday today fills my heart with more joy than words can express, and I am sure I am not alone. It is fun to watch Burrito get back to his old self, but also to see him grow more as well. For example, Burrito going for walks/runs around the Hill on his own or Jamie letting him join too. Don’t quote me on this because it may not last forever, he does do big displays, but overall he seems more relaxed. Every day with Burrito is a blessing. Burrito is loved by many all over the country. Burrito has the most infectious laugh and smile, he is sweet, he is funny, he is also wild at times, and he is that bright light we all need. I think Chad said it best yesterday! If you are like, “What did Chad say yesterday”? You must read yesterday’s blog and then come back to this video!

This guy spent his day doing all of his favorite things. He played, non-stop! We had a snow party before lunch, he groomed with friends, ran around the Hill, played some more, and of course ate pasta! Due to popular demand, the pasta cam is back! The food squeaks in this video are unbelievable, look out for Jody’s. Burrito had a great day and we hope you did too!

 

Goodbye 2020 and Good Riddance

by

As the year is winding down, I think all of us are ready to say goodbye to 2020 and embark on a more hopeful 2021! To say we all want to kick 2020 to the curb would be an understatement! 2019 at CSNW  was such an exciting and scary year. The introduction of the two chimp groups is something we unintentionally do not discuss unless asked. It was, to be honest, a little traumatizing. When 2020 came around we all couldn’t wait to move on. Burrito was on the mend and we were looking forward to the future. But 2020 brought a pandemic. Sadly, due to covid, we couldn’t have our amazing volunteers come to help us. We strapped on our PPE and tried to carry on, but the hardest part I think we’ve all dealt with and are still dealing with as care staff is the stress of protecting the chimps from COVID-19. For me personally, it comes in waves. I know we have to trust in PPE, but it doesn’t make it not scary. We have all made sacrifices and have lost time with our loved ones, but their welfare is so much more important! We all seem to be managing well enough with our new normal and healing from our old wounds from 2019. Then, the rattlesnake incident happened. Burrito, as we have all said a thousand times, is truly an amazing individual! He has never let life get him down. He always survives and only gets stronger, though if you ask me, he can stop having almost near-death experiences at any time. But his spirit is inspiring! He might be what has got me through this year. Burrito has an appetite for life and has also never seemed happier! So not to dwell too much, but our year and some hasn’t been the best. BUT, through all of our adversities, we have SO much to look forward to!

We are looking forward to the future! We are so close to having the new playrooms finished! Six new chimps will come here to call CSNW home, which means there are going to be more social opportunities for Honey B, Mave, and Willy B, even though that sounds a little scary to us too :). Chimp relationships are so much more important. Though we cherish our moments with the chimps, their relationships with each other are far more important. And of course, we have Burrito!

The other thing that got us through 2020 was all of you. Our supporters and donors. When it felt like the world had lost humanity I always looked to the CSNW supporters. And we know the chimps helped you all through these difficult times through the blogs. However, you all helped us through our trying times. Your faith, support, and kindness has helped us get through 2019, 2020, and will help us through 2021 and years to come. Thank you for your support through donations, but also through your loving and kind words. You all will never know how much you kept us going during these trying times.

Okay, that is enough feelings for one day. We all know it’s been a crazy year so let’s all put 2020 behind us and watch some chimps play and look at their portraits below! Cheers to a new year!

Foxie.

Jamie.

Annie play biting Burrito.

Annie.

Neggie.

Honey B’s Toy Inspection

by

Although Honey B is relative newcomer to the sanctuary, it’s hard to imagine life without her. Her spontaneity is so fun to watch and her wild spirit is infectious! I think all of us caregivers can agree she makes us do the silliest things we may not have never thought we would do. Honey B’s creativity is the most amazing part about her. You really can never guess what she will do next. Because of her creative mind and her spontaneity options are limitless!

Last week, we decided to give her an early Christmas present. There were so many amazing gifts that would be given out all at once and we didn’t want Honey B to overlook it in all the commotion. However, Honey B of course notices everything! This present was specifically picked out for her. She seems to love scooting around on her scooter and enjoys spinning around on the big mirror in the Mezzanine. So it only made sense that we try out one of the spin wheels! Honey B decided before she would give it a go, she had to make sure the toy was sturdy. I mean, I think we all understand that logic. No one is going to walk out on ice if they think they will fall through or lay on a hammock without feeling steady before you lay down! Honey B also, as you will see, decided it needed a wash and she was right. We had not washed it yet! To know Honey B is truly a wild ride and an honor.

Bonus photos!!!

Negra briefly went out this morning for a snow snack!

Burrito watched everyone go out first before he joined.

Jody eating some snacks.

Missy by Jo’s side.

And Jamie of course!

Snow and Unicorn Blankets

by

What a day! We just want to say goodnight from a very busy chimp house. Again, I can’t wait to write up a blog about Jamie I have in my head, but alas it will have to wait another week. I thought I would share a sweet moment with Honey B. Most nights when we close up the chimp house on phase 1 Honey B, Willy B, and Mave will already be nestled into bed. They usually like to go to bed early, whereas I am not sure Jamie even sleeps. But the past few nights as I am about to lock up the 3’s side, Honey B has been up and it almost looks like she was waiting for something. So, I have been offering her a few extra blankets before I turn the lights off. Once she has the blanket she throws it on her back or quickly drapes it behind her and makes a bed, meanwhile pant hooting goodnight.

If today had a theme, besides being busy, it would be the chimps love snow! Though by late February I think we will all be over it. But eating snow never gets old!

Even Willy B is starting to come around to this snow thing.

There was still snow on the ground, but enough had melted for everyone to go explore outside. Even NEGRA! I suspect she was trying to catch a quick glimpse of the neighbors in the chute or see the construction going on.

Burrito stayed back at first to be the look-out but eventually joined everyone out on the Hill.

Burrito or Sasquatch, I guess I will let you all decide.

Missy zipped around the Hill as per usual!

Little Foxie followed Jody, Missy, and Annie out on the Hill, but it got a little too cold for her so she turned around.

After venturing on Young’s Hill everyone agreed with Foxie and spent some time inside.

Negra wrapped herself up in an early Christmas present and did one of her favorite food puzzles, peanut butter magazines. I mean who doesn’t need a colorful unicorn blanket! I do have to make a confession though. This was my intention of putting the unicorn blanket on the wish list. I wanted to see Negra wrapped in a cozy, soft, and colorful unicorn blanket. There was a VERY good chance Negra was never going to see this blanket and Jody was going to shred it to pieces. But… just look at how comfy Negra looks!

Jamie had a busy day watching us clean and supervising the electricians working around the chimp house. But, that was pretty exhausting so she got cozy in a big nest she built and took a well-deserved nap!

All in all we day a great day, but I think we humans are going to curl up in our nests now. Goodnight!

Up Close and Personal

by

I had a whole blog post in my head (How to be Cool like Jamie), but today was the rare occasion that Mave, yes Mave, decided to let take some photos of her this morning. Many of you might know that Mave often does not want her picture taken or can be hard to capture in the moment. However, this morning as I was taking a few quick photos of Willy B, Mave sat down and stared at the camera phone. I asked her if I could take a few, normally I get a finger poke towards the camera and I take that as a no. But Mave just looked into the camera and let me take some close up shots. The rest of the day had the same theme. Jamie wanted her pictures taken or tolerated the camera being around. I wasn’t able to get everyone, really it was just Honey B, Willy B, Mave, and Jamie, but the ones I got are pretty good. The chimps were all in extremely playful moods today too. It was hard to choose a blog topic because I was even able to film some great play sessions! But I will save that for another blog! For today please enjoy some up close and personal photos.

This is what Mave’s pokey fingers look like.

Willy B was checking himself out in the mirror of the camera.



Honey B giving a “sup” look.

Honey B’s eyes are so mesmerizing.

Miss Mave.

Missy did not feel like participating, so she said goodbye and swung away.

I snapped a quick one of Foxie before she stuffed a doll through the mesh to play! Foxie’s eyes could make your heart melt.

The one and only Jamie.

Fast, Just like Missy!

by

What better timing that yesterday’s blog was all about how fast Missy is and today’s blog is all about how fast Honey B is. I am not sure anyone is as fast as Missy, but that might be a trait Missy gave to her daughter Honey B! Unlike her mom who is more of a chimp’s chimp, Honey B likes to seek out her caregiver’s attention if it is an option, though she does enjoy spending time with Mave and Willy B too! Honey B is a very creative person. She loves making up silly games and she always has us laughing! One of her favorite games might be where she has a caregiver chase her, then she sprints out into the chute, and busts back through the door at a full sprint! I was only able to catch a short moment of Honey B playing this game, but I assure you all it went much longer (Willy B slept through all of it)! Sometimes she even likes to sprint up into the mezzanine, run around upstairs, swing on the bars, climb down the ladder downstairs, sprint out through the chute, and then of course repeat! After Honey B has burned off a small amount of energy, she usually appreciates it if you sit with her. This is where she would enthusiastically groom the person she is with or simply stare into your eyes and relish your company. Honey B really just likes spending quality time with her people, human or non-human.

It’s now time for Honey B to get her beauty sleep!

Favorite Foods

by

We all have preferences for food. Our likes and dislikes. The chimps are no different. I can’t tell you how many times Foxie has poked away something green and looked offended that I would even offer kale. Or how many times Honey B has politely given back pieces of food she does not want. I thought you might all want to know what foods the chimps think are the most delicious and the worst! Let’s start with what collectively everyone loves; cabbage and lettuce! So simple and plain, but the chimp house will erupt in excitement when they see a head of lettuce or slices of cabbage.

Now, let’s get into personal preferences. 🙂

Negra, as we all might know is all about chow and peanuts. Negra is a carbs girl so of course for our special holidays she gets the most excited for dinner rolls, well, maybe besides Burrito. They might be in a tie for that one.

Jamie will never say no to any type of pear. She really loves onions in any form, green onions, leeks, raw onion, baked onions! Jamie loves them all.

Missy might be the easiest to guess. She eats, sleeps, and breathes tomatoes. Missy also really like lettuce, sweet potatoes, and ice! For her birthday, we do tomato parties!

Foxie can be a bit picky. Do not give her green foods! Foxie mostly lives for smoothies and fruits! She also likes sweet potatoes (especially baked), tomatoes, and ohhhh she loves avocados! Foxie for her birthday gets watermelon bowls, which are one of her favorites.

Jody is a forager. She loves going on the Hill and finding prickly lettuce, dandelions, cattails, flowers, and whatever else she can find. Jody really likes bananas and carrots. There are many amazing things about Jody, but the best is when she is really content or happy Jody makes the dinosaur groan of satisfaction. That is how we know she is really enjoying something good.

Annie is easy to please. She really likes everything, except for mangoes. She is allergic to mangoes! Annie loves grass, flowers, green onion, and kale.

Burrito LOVES food! Obviously, his favorite is pasta, but he only gets it on special occasions! Burrito is also pretty easy to please. He really like all potatoes, regular or sweet!

*** Willy B, Mave, and Honey B are hesitant to try new foods. Often, they just stare at you when you try to serve them something new and delicious, like you are trying to poison them. For example, for Negra’s brunch we served waffles to everyone. The three just stared at us like we were crazy for offering! Eventually they tried the waffles and enjoyed them. ***

Willy B loves cabbage. He also really likes carrots and sweet potatoes. Willy thinks cucumbers are disgusting. He does not like tea or any other beverage that might look like a suspicious drink. However, Willy B is a fun individual to watch eat. For example, when Willy B eats a carrot or cabbage he eats it like Bugs Bunny!

Mave is a California girl! She loves a really good avocado and fresh pineapple! Mave was hesitant about baked goods, but now she loves baked onions, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes! Mave is always the first one up for breakfast, it might be her favorite meal. Mave will only eat a cucumber if there is nothing else, it is her last choice.

Honey B LOVES lettuce and smoothies! She also likes carrots, popcorn, and brussel sprouts. Something you all should know about Honey B, if you don’t already is that she is the world’s slowest eater! Honey B also rarely eats a cucumber.

When Honey B is eating, she likes to stare deeply into your eyes. We joke that her actually food is our souls. If looks deep enough she will steal it :). I believe this photo embodies that.

Mave eating is pure bliss.

Mave’s facial expression feels almost looks like a taunt. Like, you hungry? Or, you want some of this?

I managed to get an action shot of Willy B eating his cabbage like Bugs Bunny!

Don’t forget to check up on our Wish List! Thanksgiving may be tomorrow, but Christmas is just around the corner and we are slowly adding items on their list!