Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Kelsi

Beauty of Sanctuary

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As a caregiver, especially if you are the one in charge of the schedule it is crucial to try to keep to it, but it’s also important to remember things don’t always go as planned. You learn to be flexible. That is kind of the beauty of a sanctuary. For example, I couldn’t get all the chimps to shift how I would have planned today. Missy stayed in the playroom, the rest of the chimps were in a front room or out in the Green House for breakfast, so I couldn’t close anything off to clean. You might see my dilemma, eventually it all worked out. However, the chimps got to make their own choice and when you think about that, it’s pretty awesome.

A few pictures of Jody looking radiant in the Green House:

Negra napping with a little smirk:

Foxie and those little toes:

Among the Tall Grass

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It’s our favorite time of year when the grass is green and so tall that you can barely see the chimps!

Burrito hidden in the grass:

Jody protecting and foraging:

Annie:

Missy:

However, with tall grass means patrolling for snakes becomes even more important (Missy and Annie looking for snakes in the morning which they did find one in later in the day):

And tiny Foxie:

 

Play Tactics

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When Jamie and Foxie decide to play, it is so fun to watch! They are hanging upside down, chasing each other, Jamie takes Foxie’s doll, and they can be found wrestling on the floor breathy panting. This time I caught them doing all of those things, but along the way Foxie found a big nut in the Playroom and Jamie wanted it. Jamie did not stop playing however. The nut just became part of the game. In the video at one point it looks like Jamie is trying to gently shake the nut out of Foxie’s mouth. You will see a lot of different tactics in the video like play biting, toe/foot grabbing, eye pokes, tickling, and belly pokes; but that one was a new one to me. I hope this brings joy to you on your Wednesday!

Also thank you to everyone who participated in the pop quiz blog yesterday! Everyone did so great! I put and answer key in the comments with explanations in case anyone want more info!

Pop Quiz!

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I have a pop quiz for you all today! How well do you know your chimpanzee behaviors?

So, if you’re ready let’s get started!

1. What face do you think Foxie and Negra are making?

A. Fear Grimace
B. Play
C. Relaxed
D. Who knows!

2. What are Negra and Missing seeking in this photo?

A. Threat
B. Play
C. Reassurance
D. Beats me!

3. What Face is Negra making?

A. Play
B. Relaxed
C. Food peering
D. Fear Grimace

4. Why is Burrito Pilo?

A. What are you talking about, he always looks like that?
B. Burrito is excited or afraid from some kind of social excitement
C. Burrito is as cool as a cucumber
D. Burrito feels relaxed

Burrito’s Back!

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Yesterday Burrito was still pretty wiped from his procedure on Wednesday, so we let him get the rest he deserved! After a procedure we like to give the chimps a chance to recover and make sure they can hold their own before going back with the group. Burrito was much more himself today. We were so glad that after breakfast Burrito was able to go back in with his friends and they seemed pretty glad to have him back as well. Jody of course was very worried about him, but Jamie is the chimp that surprised us the most. Today, especially Jamie was gentle and kind to Burrito. There were many sweet moments with everyone, so I thought I would share a few!

Jody, Missy, and Foxie grooming Burrito in the Green House:

Foxie and Missy examining Burrito:

Jamie and Missy helping Mr. B out:

 

 

Ladies of the Hill

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Young’s Hill is a magical opportunity for the chimps. It is a place to feel free, it is a space they can protect, a place to escape to be alone, and a place to play and have fun with friends. And to me that is sanctuary. I have a collection of photos of all the ladies on the Hill from the past week. I can’t explain how it feels to watch these 7 chimps go out on to Young’s Hill and that it’s just part of their every day life. That for some chimps like Jamie they get to do what wild chimps would do; patrol their perimeter. If they can’t be wild I hope all chimps get this experience.

Foxie:

Annie:


Jody:


Missy:

Jamie:

Negra: