Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Kelsi

Foot Box or Head box?

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This is Jamie.

As many may know, Jamie tends to be a more serious chimp and is incredibly intelligent. You can always see the wheels turning in her head. Jamie knows what she likes and isn’t afraid to ask for or demand what she needs. Often when she is gesturing for one of us to put boots on she has a specific boot in mind and we won’t go on a walk until she has the one she wants. She is never scared to ask for what she needs! It might be the trait I admire about her the most. Jamie is a busy body, she will build an amazing nest to settle in for a nice nap and the next moment she is gone grabbing an enrichment item to try to break the howdy door open to see her neighbors. As a disclaimer, it is usually a wooden toy or object that will not break the lock. But, you can’t blame her for having a hard time relaxing when there are so many people to manage. As I have mentioned before, Jamie has a good sense of humor too. When she wants to, she can get downright silly.

In the mornings while we are cleaning the playroom Jamie will often find the caregiver of her choice, have them put on the boot of her choice (Diana’s Xtratuf boots with the blue), walk or run around the Hill, and then settle into a nest or observe us cleaning from the window in the green house. Yesterday, Jamie decided that I should not clean, but instead play… I had given Jamie her new boot catalog which she seemed very pleased about. Jamie took her book and began to build a nest and skimming through the book. At some point, we were playing a game where she would put her hand in the foot box and I would knock on the box. Then Jamie put her head in the box! I would gently knock the box, she did this a few times. Afterward, we played a bit of chase and then she burst into a sprint with her new book in her mouth. I apologized to Chad and took off running to catch up with Jamie on the Hill.

Bonus!

Last Wednesday as we were closing up the chimp house for the night. I found Jody working on some night time enrichment. I have never seen Jody go to such great lengths for night time enrichment before!

A Picture Blog

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Wednesdays are very busy because of our staff meeting and if you combined that with very slow internet, you get a frantic blog writer. I had hoped to make a wonderful video for you all, but the internet gods have said not today. We shall keep our fingers crossed until next week! What I would like to present to you all today is a picture blog, a virtual photo book I suppose. Please enjoy!

I don’t know if winter is fully here yet. However, it is starting to get very cold and snowy.

But, still very beautiful!

Though the chimps enjoy eating the snow. I wouldn’t say they love walking through it that much. But, if we know Jamie no weather will stop her from a walk, but maybe not today… Jamie was busy building nests with her favorite books, boots, and watching J.B. do some maintenance around the chimp house.

Did I mention it was cold this morning? Annie looked out through the raceway, debating if she should go out and grab some snow. Instead she decided her caregiver should just hand it to her.

The dreamboat himself, Willy B. Willy B has been grabbing the biggest coziest blankets he can find lately!

Cold + snow + any day really= Negra in an amazing nest! I almost couldn’t find her!

Missy is a hard chimp to capture a photos of. She is always on the move. I did manage to catch her eating a mid-afternoon snow snack!

I love seeing the cattle with their winter coats!

Breathe in Mave

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Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Well, I would like to try this exercise with everyone. I promise I will be doing it right along with you. Let’s get started shall we! I would like you all to look deeply into Mave’s face. Really concentrate here, let everything go in your mind and stare into Mave’s eyes… While looking at Mave you might start to notice the distinct freckles on her face, the color of her eyes, and white hairs around her face. Now take a deep breath in through your nose slowly for five. One, two, three, four, five, and now hold it for a moment if you can… and now exhale slowly through your mouth for five, four, three, two, and one. Okay, do that two more times on your own. Just keep repeating this exercise as much as needed. You are welcome to find more blogs with photos and repeat this exercise.

It’s Wednesday and I think we all need it, here are a few extra photos :).

Burrito!

Jamie!

Burrito and Jamie!

Missy!

Sweet, sweet Negra.

We hope this has helped and remember to be kind to each other 🙂

Potty Talk!

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I thought I would answer one of the questions from Diana’s blog post, “Inviting your Questions“. Also, if you have a burning question you have been wanting to ask, post it in Diana’s blog comments and one of us caregivers may make a blog and answer it!

So, let’s have an uncomfortable conversation. The question that everyone wants to know, but may feel too awkward asking. Poop, everybody does it. But, where do the chimps do it? I will be addressing this topic because it’s a fair question and one we get asked a lot. We do our best to not have poop in the videos or pictures, but the truth is it’s there.

In the wild chimps will use the bathroom and then keep traveling. Chimps in captivity unfortunately do not have that luxury of leaving it behind them. The chimps mostly poop or pee off of ledges. We see that chimps in the wild poop out of their nests in trees too. This could be why captive chimps are often using ledges. Kind of cool! Some chimps have specific spots, most others do not. There are some enclosures where they do tend to pick spots to go use the restroom. For example, the chimps often use the bathroom in the corner of the Greenhouse off the platform. It seems to be a good spot, out of the way where individuals won’t step in it. Though that might not be the pattern for everyone. In the playroom, they often go off the loft, or a barrel, or the cement steps near the drain. In the front rooms, they may use the restroom off the platform, a cement step near the drain, or again a piece of enrichment like a chair. In phase one, it seems the 3 also prefer to use a ledge. However, Willy B will pee anywhere… We clean each enclosure every day and spot clean at night. Sometimes after we are done cleaning and invite the chimps back into their space they use the bathroom right away and that is their choice. It is their home. Which is why we will spot clean before we leave for the night, because we want them to have a clean house, no one likes stepping in poop, so we do our best, but regardless there are 10 chimps and they have to use the bathroom.

Have you ever heard of fear poop? I don’t think it is a real term, but we use it. From time to time the chimps may have an altercation. When fights happen the bowel movement may let go, so to speak. Often after a fight it is a bit messy. In these cases, poop or pee could be anywhere.

Now one question you might also be wondering. Do chimps toot? Does it smell? The answer to both is yes. They have a diet of fruits, veggies, and nuts so I would say of course farts are going to smell, but not always. Just like us humans. For the chimps, there is no stigma for flatulence. They don’t laugh at each other or think it is gross, because well everyone does it! Even us, don’t lie :). Missy often lets one go when running! I mean do you see how fast she runs, there is no way anyone could hold one in going that speed!

Okay, here is a fun fact! Their pee does smell after they eat asparagus!

See that wasn’t so bad, right? Now I have some photos. We would never post photos of them using the restroom, because, well that is rude. Wouldn’t it be horrifying if someone took a photo of you and posted it. But, I have some photos to show as examples of the ledges they may use.

 

Ahh, yes, that is a nice ledge. It’s a little out of the way where no one is walking!

This photo is in the playroom. Look at all those options!

This platform is great for sleeping and also going to the bathroom over the ledge!

Another fun fact! Front room 4 is known as the portrait room because it has such great lighting. However, front room 4 is also know to be the potty room from time to time. It could be because this is a get ledge to do it!

These are the cement steps I am referring to. It’s the perfect place to stop and take a quick number 1 or 2!

The front rooms in phase 1 also have great platforms for pooping.

The mezzanine can kind of be a free for all. There are ledges and so many chairs to choose from.

See, Missy runs the toots right out of her.

Let’s not forget Young’s Hill. Because it is such a large outdoor enclosure, it is hard to find all the poop. For this area, we let nature do its thing.

Now, let’s stop thinking about poop and just look at some chimps. 🙂

Negra in a pile of blankets.

Mave looking into her own reflection.

Willy B grabbing his favorite blanket while trying to listen in on the neighbors.

Willy B being groomed by Mave.

Don’t worry, it is just a scab on Mave’s head that someone just freshly groomed.

Burrito climbing the Twister!

Jamie waiting for Burrito at the bottom.

Foxie.

Foxie exploring the Hill with her dolls. Construction is really coming along!

Honey B <3

Okay, one more of Burrito!

 

Burrito in a Box!

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Let’s talk about Burrito! This guy, he is seriously funny. Burrito seems to be a never-ending ball of energy these days. He has never been one to turn down a game, but recently it just seems like he is lighter. To be honest with you all it is exhausting, but in the best way! We caregivers may not have the same stamina as him, but we don’t care! If Burrito wants to play, we play! Seeing him truly “living his best life” feels like a breath of fresh air. Perhaps going through the things he has gone through this year is making him live life to the fullest. He is really an inspiration for me and I am sure for all of us really. Burrito is that bright light that everyone needs right now.

So, now that I am done with the sappy stuff. For those who may be new to the blog, enrichment is very important for chimps who live in captivity. Enrichment comes in many forms. For example, Honey B loves those giant rolls of construction paper. We will put that out for her to nest with or roll around in. We also put out enrichment everyday with a variety of different toys, dolls (of course), and other chimp approved materials. We have themed days so no day is the same. Monotony is boring! Enrichment can sometimes be social, like interacting with caregivers or saying hello to some neighboring chimps or cattle. Then there are things like food puzzles, where the chimps have to work to figure out the puzzle to get the nut or peanut butter. And let’s not forget the amazing Young’s Hill with all its climbing structures either! I hope you all enjoy this video of Burrito playing in a cardboard box!

Here is Mave working on a firehose cube:

Gratitude

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I know I say this every time, but I am always in awe of our supporter’s kindness. The chimps are truly lucky to have friends like you. Giving Day for Apes was such a success. We made over our goal! After a big fundraiser like HOOT! or Giving Day for Apes, I always find myself reflecting on how amazing this sanctuary is. We have ten marvelous chimpanzees, the most dedicated care team, unbelievable volunteers, and incredible supporters. Everyone’s generosity this year feels even more special. We know that times are weird and uncertain, so thank you for your donations. These times have been uncertain for us too, but because of your help, we are still on track for our expansion, which means more chimps get to call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest home! One way to show our gratitude is this video, without your support these three chimps would not be here having this amazing play session this morning. Thank you.

Of course bonus photos!

The handsome Willy B.

Mave relaxing.

Honey B peering into your soul.

Jamie stuffing a troll doll into this sash.

Negra living her best life in this mega nest.

With this last imagine of Negra, we wish you a good night and sweet dreams. 🙂

Jamie’s Fall Must Reads

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Jamieween is right around the corner! Don’t tell Jamie, but I am making her a new book for her birthday! This one will look more like a Xtratuf catalog. It will be filled with new styles, colors, and designs! Though I am sure it will not replace her current favorite. Jamie’s must reads right now are the infamous staff wearing Xtratuf boots. Then coming in second would have to be the volunteers wearing all different styles of boots and shoes, lots of crocs which Jamie enjoys. Don’t forget the classic cowboy boot book. Something with mummies or skeletons, that is always a favorite. Oh, Dwell magazine for a little light reading. And last but not least a few good books about animals! If you would like to help Jamie get her birthday book, we are currently low on Shutterfly gift cards, I would like to get a stockpile of the original Xtratuf book so she can always have one on hand. Keep an eye out for Jamieween items on the wish-list we are starting to add some birthday items!

At the sanctuary there are lots of little moments that let you know, as a caregiver, that you have done your job well. You sometimes catch those moments throughout the day. Yesterday, before we went home for the night Jamie’s Xtratuf staff boot book came in. She hadn’t had one in a few weeks because they take some time to ship and with chimps you never know how long objects will last. I walked over to front room 4 where Jamie was standing to show her what had come in the mail for her. Immediately, she was gesturing to see it. As I gave the book to her she took off with it into the green house to be alone. On her way I could hear some low groans of what I can only imagine are excitement and happiness.

Jamie getting her new book last night:

This morning as we were cleaning, Jamie had left her book in the playroom. She began requesting it. I grabbed the book and Jamie guided me over to the food chute.

I hope this is a reminder through these weird and trying times to find the little moments that make you happy. This was mine.