Missy spends most of her time with her chimp friends – in other words, she’s a chimp’s chimp. She is that cool girl that everyone wants to be friends with. She is confident, a friend to all, and she is not afraid to try new things (most of the time). So you could see why it would be a big deal if Missy wanted to play, you would drop everything! I find myself occasionally grooming, tickling, and playing chase with Missy usually after lunch when everyone is napping. As we play you all have to remember Missy is a loyal friend. She helps Jamie keep order in the chimp house, even if it’s not in her best interest. Our games usually end once Jamie notices or the chimps start waking up. Recently, Missy has been popping up randomly to groom or sit together, not at our normal meet up time. Like, this morning we groomed in the Greenhouse and Missy offered a kiss, a KISS! A moment I will cherish forever.
Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th of July everyone! I am sure we all think of fresh fruit, chips, hot dogs/hamburgers (veggie of course), and a crisp drink when we think about gathering with friends and family to celebrate our Independence Day. I mean what could be more 4th of July than a good old fashion BBQ?! I though I would share what was on the menu for our party.
We started our day with a nice refreshing fruit salad bowl made by our lovely volunteers:
Next we moved to the Hill forage for lunch. We cooked up some veggie dogs, Negra and Burrito almost screamed when they saw the buns, cut up some watermelon, we baked fries, sprinkled a few cherry tomatoes, shucked corn, and cut up some spears of cucumber (that we pretended were pickles)! Don’t worry we did not forget about refreshments, the chimps drank some Martinelli’s as well.
I would scream for this meal too:
I know there is a video, but I thought I would share just a few photos too!
Jamie walking on the firehose:
Annie found one of the many boats:
And Negra.
She was moving around everywhere today, it was fun to see where she would pop up:
The Greenhouse
The Greenhouse is a space that provides many benefits to the chimps. The Greenhouse is the gateway to Young’s Hill, there are different levels of platforms for the chimps to look out or rest on, and warm spots to sprawl out and bake in the spring/summer. The Greenhouse is also a common space where the chimps like to lounge around, have big grooming sessions, and play games with their human and non-human friends. The wide-open, but secure air space in the Greenhouse is what makes it so wonderful for the chimpanzees. The Greenhouse is so lovely that sometimes it is hard to get the chimps out of it so we can clean. Who could blame them for not wanting to leave?! I have a collection of Greenhouse photos from yesterday and today, I hope you enjoy!
Annie:
Bubba (Burrito) being goofy:
Jody snacking on foliage from the Hill:
Foxie in and out of napping on the top of the Greenhouse platform:
Negra:
Missy self grooming:
Delightful
I walked out to the Green House to attempt to get a few photos for the blog and to my delight Burrito and Jody were breathy panting, wrestling, and play biting. I had to do a double take! There was no way that this was happening AND I had the camera on hand! While I was double checking that this was real I looked over to Jody who had the biggest drooped lip. Jody looked so content. She was having fun but also did not have to get up and over exert herself. Burrito couldn’t have looked happier and he was playing so gently. It was so fun to watch, however I didn’t stay long because I didn’t want to ruin the moment. I hope you all enjoy!
A Midsummer’s Day Dream
Foxie, as with many of her friends, spent her summer morning blissfully wandering Young’s Hill. Foxie later came back and spent most of her day in the Green House with her new France Dora Doll (sorry no photos of that)!
Foxie in the thick of the tall grass:
These two photos I just can’t get over. Foxie looks whimsical and angelic. When I look at them I can’t help but smile. I hope these bring you the same joy they brought me.
And if you have ever wondered what a relaxed chimpanzee looks like, well Foxie sums it all up in these photos:
A Good Lookout View
The grass is so lush that sometimes it feels like we are playing I Spy. This morning, especially for Jody I could barely keep up. Jody was weaving in and out of the tall grass and bamboo bushes. When she finally emerged Jody had stuffed her face with so much prickly lettuce!
Bubba and Annie spent some quality time outside together:
Jamie and Foxie went on a perimeter walk together:
Foxie and her doll having a moment:
Summertime and the Chimps are Living Freely
We had a very busy day at the Sanctuary today! Luckily I was able to snap a few photos this morning. I hope you enjoy these on this wonderful Saturday!
Sweet sweet Annie:
Neggie enjoying the summer morning sun:
Wonderful Jody:
You can barley see Missy in the tall grass:
Jamie enjoyed her morning supervising:
And Foxie let Jamie borrow her new Strawberry Shortcake doll:
I could look at Burrito all day:
I mean look at this dreamboat:
























































