Can you tell what the chimpanzees ate for lunch recently?
Missy
Jody
If you guessed, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and primate chow, then you are right!
Negra, reinvented
I’m used to telling people, Negra is more of a fair weather chimp. If there is any hint of wind or rain or if the temperature is too hot or too cold, she would most likely stay indoors. Also, if she does venture out onto Young’s Hill (the outdoor area of the chimps’ home), she usually sticks close to the building.
But, we’ve seen Negra exhibiting some “unusual behavior” this spring. She’s stayed out late, ventured to new areas on Young’s Hill (far away from the building) and is generally more independent.
So, today, the NOAA forecast called for “northwest wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph” and it seems pretty accurate. But, the Negra of today, doesn’t seem to mind the gusty winds or not so perfect temperatures as she was the first one out on the hill for the lunch forage we set up.
I love that after almost eight years in sanctuary, she is still reinventing herself!
Looking out
It’s pretty drizzly and rainy at the sanctuary today. For the chimps, that means there has been quite a bit of sitting around, looking out, pondering, wondering…
Annie
Foxie
Missy
Jody
Jamie
Burrito
Negra
We bring you TWISTER, but it’s not what you might think
Do you remember when Diana wrote to stay tuned for a new unveiling? Well, today is the big day!! Blog readers and sanctuary supporters, meet Twister; the chimpanzees’ newest climbing structure. The Twister design was conceived by J.B. with a starting idea by Nick and built by J.B., Keith, Josh, Becky, Mark, Jack, Jim, Brian, Gretchen, and Patrick.
Funds for building it were donated by friends of Bill Walters. He and his wife Nicki and their friend Dave were here today to see the chimps explore the structure.
Jody, Annie, Missy and Jamie checking out the newest addition.
Some of the chimps were daring enough to reach the top and take in the surrounding view.
Annie sitting on top and Missy just below.
Missy
Jamie
But, I think the highlight, and perhaps they would agree too, was seeing Annie and Missy playing on and in and around it. Here’s an action shot Katelyn took today of Missy and Annie.
Stay tuned for more photos and videos of the chimps exploring this newest addition to their 2 acre outdoor enclosure (Young’s Hill).
Two reasons to celebrate
Today is a day for dual celebration. Not only is it Mother’s Day, but it’s also the day we celebrate Jody’s birthday. We don’t know her actual birthday, (she may have been born in the wild.) What we do know is that Jody spent decades as a test subject in biomedical research before coming to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. During those years in the lab, she gave birth to nine babies, so we chose Mother’s Day to celebrate her and to honor her as a mother.
It’s hard to fathom Jody never having had the chance to raise any of her babies. It’s equally hard to imagine that she was not able to learn and grow under the guidance of her own mother in the wild. Wrapping my brain around the reality of her past is heartbreaking. And knowing that there are so many other captive chimpanzees that share a similar story brings tears to my eyes. But, today is a day to celebrate; to celebrate Jody, her life and all that she has become since her new beginning at CSNW.
Because we have two very special reasons to celebrate, we set up two parties…one in the Greenhouse….
…and one in the Playroom.
Today, we honor the mother that Jody is by showering her with love and giving her some of her most favorite things…extra blankets for building huge nests, good food, flowers and alfalfa cubes. You can read more about Jody here.
Jody
Missy
Annie
Foxie
Jamie
Negra
Burrito
It’s been a mellow day
Yesterday, the chimps were treated to a fantastic party, complete with an early dinner forage and numerous evening puzzles to keep them busy as staff prepared for attending the big HOOT! Gala fundraising event in Seattle. And today, both the humans and chimps are recovering. Seems that partying and celebrating take a lot of energy.
In between napping and mellow play sessions, Annie and Missy spent some time exploring the top of Young’s Hill.
Annie
Missy
A most sincere thank you goes out to all attendees and volunteers who attended last night’s HOOT! Gala!! It was an extraordinarily fun and successful fundraising event!! Be sure to stay tuned for a recap of HOOT! tomorrow!
Natural enrichment
We’re always trying to come up with ways to can keep the Cle Elum Seven enriched throughout the day. We offer toys, blankets, boots, dolls, clothing, containers (to name a few) each day. But, sometimes nature provides the best forms of enrichment, including grass and plants to forage, birds to watch (and chase) and snakes to inspect.
So, it’s always nice to incorporate parts of nature into the chimps’ enrichment. Pine cones are a great way to do just that. Add a little peanut butter to the outside, hide a few raisins in the middle and viola, chimpanzee evening enrichment.
Missy
Annie
Jody
Negra
