Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Krissy Brasfield

Little Dora’s Big Day

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Today we celebrated Dora’s 37th birthday!

Dora was born at the Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP) on June 6, 1989. Her records say that her mother was Stella and her father was Les. She has many half siblings, including Gordo in her own group, who had the same father, and several chimpanzees at other sanctuaries including Pumpkin at Save the Chimps in Florida.

When LEMSIP closed in 1996, Dora went to Wildlife Waystation along with over 30 other chimpanzees.

When Wildlife Waystation closed in 2019, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest continued our planned expansion to make a home for another group of chimpanzees in need. Dora arrived with the rest of the “Lucky Six” on June 26, 2021.

In celebration of Dora’s birthday today, her group (which includes Dora, Cy, Terry, Rayne, Gordo, Lucky and George) got to enjoy whole mangos for breakfast, as well as Honey B, Willy B and Mave.  What a special treat!

Unfortunately, due to Annie’s allergy, Jamie’s group did not get mangos, but they were pretty happy with their whole strawberries!

There are so many things to love about Dora (just ask Mave!). She is quick to engage her chimp friends in play (and the humans sometimes too!). She is beloved by those who know her (George took a little bit to learn this lesson during intros), which has allowed her the flexibility to move between groups and maintain her friendships as we navigated the separation of Honey B, Willy B, and Mave from Cy’s group. She brings the fun (sometimes with a side of pokey fingers and her signature head bobble) and quirkiness too!

Happy birthday, Dora!

Grooming Train

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Grooming is so important in chimpanzee social groups.

Grooming is used to build and strengthen relationships, to reconcile after conflicts, and to reinforce the social hierarchy.

While George is still not comfortable grooming his group mates, he often finds himself in the middle of grooming trains.

We all look forward to the day that George returns the favor, and starts grooming his group mates.

In the meantime, his new family will continue to include him in this important ritual.

George is such a lucky guy!

Jamie and Foxie: It’s Complicated

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Jamie and Foxie have a complicated relationship.

As the Alpha, Jamie rules with a bit of an iron fist, and often takes advantage of her position.  Foxie is at the bottom of the social hierarchy and, because of this, is often targeted during conflicts. However, that doesn’t mean that Jamie and Foxie don’t spend quality time together, grooming and playing.

Today was one of those days!  At least as far as Jamie was concerned..

If you have the time, check out these old blogs that highlight Jamie and Foxie’s play sessions!

https://chimpsnw.org/2010/05/foxie-and-jamies-epic-play-session/ 

https://chimpsnw.org/2011/01/jamie-and-foxies-wild-play/ 

https://chimpsnw.org/2011/04/troll-play/ 

https://chimpsnw.org/2014/11/chimpanzee-pretzel-play/ 

 

Negra loves lettuce!

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As far as Queen Negra is concerned, FOOD is one of life’s simple pleasures!

Some of Neggie’s favorite foods include primate chow, peanuts, peanut butter, Hawaiian rolls, potatoes (anything starchy, really), clementines, sugar snap peas and Brussels sprouts.  But the simplest of pleasures (besides spring grass, of course) comes from romaine lettuce.  Boy, does Neggie love some romaine!

Let’s all take a moment to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures, with our beloved Queen Negra.  Chop up a salad, prep some lettuce boats, or just grab a head of romaine, Neggie style.

This And That

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A while back, I posted a blog that included what I called “lousy photos“.  The photos that we take throughout the day that don’t make it on the blog.  This also happens with videos.  You never know when you’ll catch a great moment, or have your phone knocked out of your hand!  Or in my case, knocked into the drain.

Today, I’ve compiled a few videos that weren’t enough, for one reason or another, to warrant their own blog post.  Willy B plays with a box, Rayne forages on the Bray, Ellen and Gordo play, and Honey B works on her nest.

 

Easy Like a Sunday Morning

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While it wasn’t exactly quiet in the Chimp House this morning, I did stumble upon some quiet moments.

It’s been so fun watching George make friends.  And while Cy is definitely George’s defender, Gordo seems to be his closest friend.  Back in February, you got to see George and Gordo play, play, play!  But they also spend time grooming.  Well, Gordo grooms George, George grooms George.  George has adapted so well to his new living environment and social group, but he still isn’t grooming the other chimps.  Someday soon, we hope.

On the other side of the building, I caught Negra up on a bench in one of the front rooms, enjoying her meal.  Usually, when we serve a meal, everyone gets one item at a time before we move to the next item.  But not Negra!  She wants you to load her up with everything!  Which she will stuff into her mouth, hands, feet and sometimes her pelvic pocket, and hit the road.  Then she can take her time enjoying her meal, often times in bed!

These quiet moments are some of the best.