Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Keri

Rain, snow or shine

by

I’m often asked if the chimpanzees go onto Young’s Hill when it is raining or snowing. The answer is yes, they still venture outside, although I think we can all agree, sunshine is probably preferred.

As I’m writing this, Jamie is on her fourth walk around the hill (it’s currently foggy and sprinkling). And she wasn’t the only one to venture outside. Burrito, Missy, Jody and Annie joined her on the hill for a little while after lunch despite the fog and rain.

Sometimes the chimps go out to gather a “snowy treat,” as you will see in the some of the following photos.

It seems that no matter what the weather brings the chimpanzees still choose to go outside.

Annie

web_Annie_eat_mouthful_snow_hand_to_mouth_YH_kh_IMG_6229

Burrito

web_Burrito_eat_snow_mouth_hand_sit_on_log_pathway_YH_KH_IMG_6269

web_Burrito_eat_snow_mouth_hand_sit_on_log_pathway_YH_KH_IMG_6266

web_Burrito_eat_snow_mouth_hand_sit_on_log_pathway_YH_KH_IMG_6270

Jamie

web_Jamie_walk_on_log_first_snow_side_profile_YH_kh_IMG_6238

Missy

web_Missy_quadrupedal_walk_log_pathway_YH_kh_IMG_6218

Enrichment in Boxes Day

by

Each day at the sanctuary has a daytime and an evening enrichment theme. Having these themes helps volunteers and staff select various objects to offer the chimpanzees. It’s not that the chimps know what each theme is, like “Red Day” or “Giant Pile Day” or “Things in Bags Day;” it is more that the themes help staff and volunteers make sure to mix up the enrichment that is offered each day (and night) and the ways in which it is offered.

One of the recent themes was “Enrichment in Boxes Day,” which entailed volunteers putting various items like troll and dora dolls, socks, scarves, straws, bandanas, wooden toys, etc. into boxes. We put the boxes with all of those items in them into each of the enclosures after we finished cleaning yesterday.

We caught Foxie checking out one of the boxes in the Playroom. Can you guess what she was after?

web_Foxie_inspect_enrichment_in_box_concentrate_PR_kh_IMG_6632

web_Foxie_inspect_enrichment_in_box_concentrate_PR_kh_IMG_6633

web_Foxie_inspect_enrichment_in_box_concentrate_open_box_PR_kh_IMG_6634

web_Foxie_inspect_enrichment_in_box_concentrate_PR_kh_IMG_6637

web_Foxie_inspect_enrichment_in_box_concentrate_PR_kh_IMG_6645

web_Foxie_inspect_enrichment_in_box_concentrate_PR_kh_IMG_6647

web_Foxie_hand_in_enrichment_box_PR_kh_IMG_6644

web_Foxie_inspect_enrichment_in_box_concentrate_pull_dora_doll_out_box_PR_kh_IMG_6650

Watching Foxie stick her hand into the box of “unknown” is something that really struck me. Elizabeth literally said “She never would have done that six years ago.” She was right. Without knowing Foxie’s early years at the sanctuary, one might think that she has always loved troll and dora dolls. But, that has not always been the case. When she first arrived, she did not want anything to do with the enrichment or blankets that were offered each day. She actually went out of her way to avoid all of it.

Throughout the past six plus years, Foxie has grown by leaps and bounds. She has gained confidence to explore Young’s Hill (and even joins Jamie on her patrol sometimes), she continues to try new things, and as Katelyn wrote in a recent post, she has grown to trust humans with her “babies.” Who would have imagined that one piece of enrichment would have such a dramatic effect on the transformation of Foxie chimpanzee?

On The 4th Day of Thanks

by

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (CSNW) could not do what it does without the generous support of such compassionate, caring and generous people. We cannot express enough how much we value and thank all those who are part of this sanctuary family. (Read more in the first, second and third days of giving thanks).

In the spirit of continuing to give thanks, I’d like to take this time to recognize all the folks who have made in-kind donations to benefit the chimpanzees and the sanctuary over the past six and a half years. In-kind donations are the direct donation of needed goods and services. They are vital to providing a safe, healthy and enriching environment for all the primates at CSNW.

Throughout the years, many folks have graciously donated their professional architectural and construction services to help transform the sanctuary into what it is today.

web_poppoffs_finish_concrete_sidewalks_clinic_IMG_9577

web shed glistening in the sun built by jim spencer IMG_1907

I also want to give a pant hoot thanks to those who have donated their professional graphic design and videography services and to all of those who have given items and gift certificates for auctions. These donations have been a tremendous help with our fundraising efforts and have helped share the stories of Jamie, Jody, Foxie, Negra, Burrito, Missy and Annie with the rest of the world.

web_CSNW-Jody_WineLabel_

Of course, the health of the chimpanzees is always top priority. I would also like to offer a huge thank you to those who have most kindly donated their veterinary services and equipment over the years to ensure the health of the Cle Elum 7.

web_JB_Becca_Donna_clinic_stretcher_drills_dm

web_vet_clinic_equipment_jb_IMG_6312

Fresh fruit and vegetables is also of utmost importance in keeping the chimps healthy (and enriched). I want to be sure to thank those who have regularly gone above and beyond to ensure that the chimps have healthy food to eat each day.

web_Food_refrigerator_full_safeway_darwins_kh_IMG_5377

Jody enjoying a mouthful of fresh cabbage.
web_Jody_forage_food_cabbage_brussel_sprouts_mouthful_handful_YH_kh_IMG_2627

Missy eating a bell pepper.
web_Missy_eat_bellpepper_lunch_GH_ls_IMG_0524

Have we mentioned that Burrito LOVES food!
web_burrito_eat_whole_frozen_fruit_forage_enrichment_birthday_food_GH_IMG_9510

Another huge thank you goes out to all those who have purchased items from our Amazon Wish List. While many of the items, such as laundry detergent, garbage bags, gloves, soap, stamps, and printer toner may not seem at all “glamorous,” they are essential to the day-to-day operations of the sanctuary. They help us keep our expenses down by providing things we need to operate and they help staff and volunteers do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.

web_chimp_house_cleaning_supplies_kh_IMG_6303

web_office_supplies_kh_IMG_6309

We also include extra special gifts on our wish list like toys, puzzles, dolls, socks, non-toxic art supplies, brushes, etc., all aimed to enhance and enrich the daily lives of the chimpanzees. We regularly receive enrichment packages from people near and far. Items like kongs and tool sets have provided hours of problem solving for Jamie; while troll and dora dolls have helped Foxie gain confidence over the years.

And then there are the countless donations from those who know how to throw a party to celebrate all the holidays, birthdays or just-because days. What’s a party without festive cups, plates, piñatas or streamers? We also receive numerous donations that follow our enrichment guidelines including cowboy boots, blankets, magazines, paper, etc.

web_jamie_hoard_kongs_connected_forage_PR_dm_IMG_9254

web Foxie walk trolls in mouth hand Young's Hill YH IMG_1344

Annie with pinata

web Negra outside sit blanket over body straw nest__MG_6702

Sometimes the words “thank you” just don’t seem to capture the immense gratitude we feel for all those who have offered these in-kind donations over the years. Know that your generosity has affected each and every primate (human and non-human) at the sanctuary in such a deep and meaningful way and will continue to transform the lives of Jamie, Jody, Negra, Foxie, Burrito, Missy and Annie. Without each and every single one of you, the sanctuary would not be what it is today.

Eye Contact

by

Eye contact can be a powerful and effective way of communicating between individuals. Sometimes all it takes to form a deep and everlasting connection with someone is to stare into each other’s eyes. No words need to be exchanged to solidify the connection or explain what the other is thinking. A long gaze into each other’s eyes can act as a recognition of kindred beings; an exchange that allows for acceptance of one another.

Sharing such an intimate act as eye gazing with each of the chimpanzees here at the sanctuary is something I truly cherish. It has helped create and solidify a bond of friendship, connection, acceptance and compassion over the years.

I understand that many of you may not have the chance to personally look into the eyes of a chimpanzee, so I wanted to share with you as best I can what it is like to look into the eyes of these seven magnetic beings.

Can you guess whose eyes are whose?

web_Missy_closeup_just_eyes_GH_kh_IMG_5999

web_Jamie_just_eyes_good_close_up_face_look_at_camera_raceway_YH_kh_IMG_4488

web_Annie_cropped_close_up_eyes_GH_kh_IMG_4760

web_Negra_cropped_good_closeup_look_at_camera_FR4_kh_IMG_5753

web_burrito cropped mid chew chow look at camera gh forage IMG_3755

web_Foxie_cropped_closeup_face_FR4_kh_IMG_5755

web_Jody_cropped_closeup_loot_toward_camera_face_GH_kh_IMG_2536

Kongs for Evening Enrichment

by

Another one of our evening enrichment puzzles is putting nuts, peanut butter or mashed up banana into holes in kongs. The chimpanzees use their fingers or a tool (or a combination of both) to get at the tasty treats inside, but sometimes the treats can be pretty tough to get out.

Jamie spent the better part of the morning working on her kong that was left over from the previous evening. Evidently, there was a hazelnut that was trapped inside and she could not free it. She tried using all the tools at her disposal, including her finger, her tongue, the arm of a troll doll, and a short wooden tool. When none of them worked I offered her a hard plastic chop stick to use.

Evening Enrichment

by

Each day we put out various enrichment items for the chimpanzees based on some sort of theme like “tea party day” or fort day”. These enrichment items include things like blankets, dora and troll dolls, boots, wooden and plastic toys, containers etc. This way the chimps can choose to use or not use the enrichment items throughout the day.

Each evening, after serving dinner and before turning out the lights, we also give the chimps some sort of puzzle to work on. The evening enrichment is aimed at keeping the chimps (mostly Jamie) occupied. The evening enrichment sometimes includes kongs with a few nuts inside, raisin boards, hanging puzzles, drink buckets.

Last night, we put out drink buckets for the chimps. This involved filling each bucket half full with water and adding in a few slices of tangerines (other nights we may use slices of lemon or lime). We set the buckets outside of the front rooms and playroom and gave each of the chimps a long “straw” to use to get at the flavored water.

Knowledge and Responsibility

by

I’m often told how great it must be to have a job caring for chimpanzees and I have to agree. There are so many highlights of working at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Of course, there are the chimpanzees, each with their own unique and inspiring qualities. And there are the incredibly compassionate and dedicated staff members, volunteers and donors that work on behalf of the Cle Elum Seven. Add in a beautiful setting and its the perfect job.

The truth is, I love my job, but I really wish it didn’t exist. The reality is there has to be chimpanzees in captivity for me to be a chimpanzee caretaker. But, chimpanzees do not belong in captivity. Period.

A past teacher of mine used to say “With knowledge comes responsibility”. I didn’t realize just how much those four words would mean until I started learning more about the fate of chimpanzees in the entertainment and biomedical industries and those kept as pets. Once I learned the fates of those chimpanzees, I stopped buying cards with pictures of chimpanzees “smiling” and I stopped watching movies with chimpanzees in them. But, I wanted to do more; I felt I had a responsibility to do more.

So, I am trying to do that, by helping to make captivity the best that it can possibly be for the chimpanzees of CSNW. This means respecting them as individuals, giving them choices, providing daily enrichment, sharing their stories and advocating for them and all apes.

These are the seven chimpanzees that I work for.

web_Jamie_sit_platform_look_toward_camera_top_YH_kh_IMG_4745

web_Burrito_closeup_wood_toy_enrichment_in_hand_GH_kh_IMG_5358

web_Foxie_sit_platform_arms_crossed_look_at_camera_YH_kh_IMG_4750

web_Missy_profile_sit_platform_look_away_YH_kh_IMG_4746

web_Negra_side_profile_walk_platform_toward_FRs_kh_IMG_5344

web_Jody_walk_platform_drooped_lip_YH_kh_IMG_4779

web_Annie_bipedal_walk_sequence_YH_kh_IMG_4756