Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Kelsi

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.

 

Fort Honey B

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Honey B likes to build nests with blankets, toys, paper and boxes. We discovered yesterday that Honey B builds forts. Earlier this week, caregiver Anna and I found a broken down box that we put out for enrichment. As we cleaned the Mezzanine, we noticed the box wasn’t just in the nest as nesting material, but setup almost like a barricade (no photo was taken). Fast forward to yesterday, when we set out more boxes, not really thinking they would actually build a fort. Anna and I were almost done with the day, just finishing up our last checks, when Anna called me on the radio to come look.

It was magnificent! A perfectly circled box fort, with a built in green bench to complete the fort! It looked almost too perfect. We actually had to text our volunteer Lisa to ask if she had set it up. With her confirmation that she did not make the fort, Anna and I could say with confidence that this was Honey B.

I mean, just look at the craftsmanship!

While Honey B built her walls, there were walls being built outside her window this week. The expansion is really coming along!

For Honey B, boxes can be used for other things. This morning, as Anna served the three breakfast, Honey B really wanted to drink some juice that was meant for Mave. In an effort to get the cup off the table, she slyly pushed her flattened box out to its full extent. We couldn’t say no to such a clever attempt, so of course Honey B got to drink some juice as well.

We just absolutely love Honey B. Life is never boring with her by your side 🙂

    

Blame it on the Computer

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Okay, so I had this whole blog planned out! However, the computer has told us that it is tired and does not want to load my video right now. All good things come to those who wait, right? So please look out for a video of Honey B this weekend. For now, I hope that these photos will appease you until then.

I have no photos of Honey B, Willy B, or Mave because they have been very preoccupied with the construction going on lately. And as Chad mentioned yesterday they have poured the concrete! Yay! But, the three have been busy managing the construction workers.

Negra and Jody spending some quality time grooming each other in the Green House.

Jamie having a mellow day.

Burrito trying to wait patiently while I gather photos.

Eventually, one person can only wait so long! Burrito popped up while I was taking a photo. I had to laugh because I wasn’t expecting it.

And then there is sweet, beautiful Annie. I could look at this photo all day.

Rainy Day Play and Birthdays

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This blog was not quite what I had planned today. In my head, I thought I would talk about our infamous blanket shredder(s). As a person who tries to keep up on inventory in the chimp house, I’ve found that we can’t seem to catch up on blankets. So, if you have ever desired to purchase blankets for the chimps there are plenty on our wish list!

Then the blog was going to be all about Meredith, because it’s her birthday today! Happy birthday Meredith! To celebrate, caregiver Chad brought the cattle some willow tree branches and cob to go with their hay. But, Meredith and friends had other plans. The cattle just wanted hay, which they made very clear when they bombarded the gator! So, because Meredith only wanted to celebrate her day with hay and her three closest friends. I was able to capture some very silly chimps on a pretty rainy day.

In the video you will watch Jamie hanging upside down like a bat stomping around upside down and making one caregiver very out of breath (that would be me). Minutes before the seven were about to go back into their freshly clean playroom, Negra, Burrito, Jody, Foxie, and even Jamie joined in to play slap, bite, tickle, & toe grab! Now, it may look like they where playing rough with Negra. But I will warn you Negra created that term! Please enjoy the bloopers were Jody attempts to stab me with a tube and Foxie tries to poke the camera :).

Happy Birthday to the beautiful Meredith!

A Tale of Annie and the Twister

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There once was a chimpanzee named Annie who lived on a beautiful hillside with nine of her chimpanzee friends. One day Annie and her friends were all out on the Hill. Everyone went inside to their cozy warm Green House. Annie decided to stay out and go on her own adventure, this time without her very best friend Missy. As Annie walked around she came across a very tall tower, known as the Twister. Annie climbed and climbed until she reached the tippy top. After a moment of taking in the smoky view and feeling quite proud of her accomplishment. Annie quickly realized she would have to climb down this very tall twister. Feeling alone without her dearest friend Missy, she began to worried and let out a few big screams. She screamed out to her friends in hopes that they would hear her. Annie being the brave chimp she is, mustered up the courage to climb down. Meanwhile, Missy zipped up the Hill as fast as she possibly could to find her dear friend Annie. After Missy found Annie and gave her reassurance they went back inside to unwind after Annie’s solo adventure.

This is my personal interpretation of this story. Only Annie really knows why she got scared at the top of the Twister. For JB and Diana who could only hear the screaming, thought snake, and came to make sure this was not true! While JB and Diana came sprinting up Chad and I observed the events unfolding while eating our after cleaning/we served lunch Popsicle.

Here is what we know:

1. Annie climbed to the top.
2. She seemed at peace for a moment
3. Annie began to exhibit nervous behavior
4. Annie started screaming
5. Missy sprinted to Annie and all was fine.

Here are some scenario that could be why Annie reacted the way she did:

1. Maybe she saw a snake from that bird’s eye view (Annie hates snakes)!
2. Maybe the cattle startled her.
3. Annie could have been nervous to climb down.
4. She could see any animal or heard any sound from up there!
5. Maybe she just felt like it.

We will never actually know. But I guess what we do know is that us caregivers are still a little on edge, insert emoji smiling and sweat drip on face.

Annie on top of the Twister.

Annie becomes pilo.

She starts hooting.

And begins screaming.

On a side note, Burrito is also doing very well and is enjoying his Jody hangout sessions very much. Have a great night everyone!

Honey B, Games, & Construction

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***Update*** As Chad said perfectly yesterday, Burrito looks more and more like himself everyday! It is such a relief in so many ways, however, we all are being cautiously optimistic because we are not out of the woods yet. So instead of the 1 hour of sleep we have gotten since Saturday, we now get 3 hours ;). But wow let’s all celebrate Burrito being able to sit up, play, eat, and interact with his friends! My heart swell just thinking about it. I am so impressed with our supporters. Your positive thoughts, kind words, and donations have always helped us through some difficult times and we could really feel the love! So truly from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

This how Burrito fell asleep last night before we left. 🙂

Now for a Honey B story. This lady is crazy, but in the best way possible! Yesterday, I was walking by to put enrichment away when Honey B caught my attention. She invited me to hangout with her. She started by grooming the rocks out of my boots then leaped onto the firehouse above her and was laying on it and rocking herself. The girl has some balance, just like her mom. At one point she knocked on the window at one of the construction workers building her soon to be new playrooms. I interpreted it as Honey B saying “Hey, get back to work!” or “Quiet down out there!”. She did a beautiful spin and pirouette off the firehose and erupted into a big game of chase. We were running upstairs, then down stairs, then back upstairs. Finally she let me catch my breath! But only for a moment because she began to twirl herself on the giant mirror. As she did this she was checking herself out. Afterwards she climbed back up on some firehose, brachiated toward me for another version of chase, I guess you could call it hanging chase? So by the end of this you could see why I would be very excited to sit and groom with her after one of her most crazy games.

Also we are anxiously awaiting our first virtual HOOT! this coming Saturday. If you haven’t registered for Happy Hour DO NOT miss out! We have a special cocktail you can make and the chimps will be enjoying their non-alcoholic drink right along with you! Also if you haven’t seen any of the art work you need to stop what you’re doing immediately and go look, but seriously click on this link. I am really in love with Annie in the Snow. It is an original oil on canvas by Leslie Bell. When I look at it I get teary eyed. This is going to be an event you don’t want to miss!

Bonus photos!

This photo was taken on Sunday I believe. Jamie sat in front room 4 for over 45 minutes and almost fell asleep on duty! I would like to believe it was because she was on watch to make sure Burrito was okay, but to be honest Jamie was probably monitoring what kind of special treats Burrito might have been getting. In her defense, I would do the same thing! I think we can all agree Jamie was making sure her friend was okay and keeping tally of his snack 🙂

Mave. Sweet, goofy, beautiful Mave.

Mave Loves Eggplant

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There are many techniques to eating an eggplant. For example, us humans would probably put some salt on our eggplant to pull the water out before cooking with it. But these chimps, especially Mave, Honey B, and Willy B, enjoy it raw and preferably whole! That seems to be the most exciting way to serve it to them! Honey B will run and grab hers through the food chute and then sprint out into the chute to enjoy her eggplant. Mave, as you will see in the video, has the best method. Though, I don’t think many of us humans could get away with this in public.

Bonus Negra photos!