Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Krissy Brasfield

Palling Around with Missy and Annie

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If you’ve have been following the blog for any length of time, you likely know that Annie and Missy are best friends.  They explore together, lounge together, nap together, and (my favorite) play together!

Recently, on a beautiful summer day, I was cleaning in the front rooms and heard the delightful sound of chimpanzee laughter.  Who could it be?  Burrito is the usual suspect.  But on this day, I found Annie and Missy engaged in a playful wrestling match.  Everyone else was out lounging in their greenhouse, and exploring on Young’s Hill, but these two were happy to stay indoors in a raucous play session!

I was looking at old blog posts about Annie and Missy and I came across a post by Diana from March of 2008 – 3 months before the original group of 7, the Cle Elum 7, arrived at the sanctuary.  It’s clear that these chimpanzee friends have had a special relationship for a very long time!

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.