Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Lisa

Sounds of Sanctuary

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Although it is true that chimpanzees are often much more quiet than one might assume based on experience with them in the media, chimpanzees can also be quite loud when expressing themselves, given the right circumstances. As a matter of fact, the daily routine of sanctuary life is accompanied by sounds that a caregiver comes to rely on.

When I arrive at the chimp house in the morning the chimpanzees are often still sleeping, or enjoying a quiet morning. Not soon after though, Burrito usually makes some noise in the front rooms. Perhaps he’s letting everyone know that the day is about to begin? At any rate, the morning for caregivers consists of breakfast making with the blender whirring in the kitchen and the sounds of a chimpanzee community getting ready for the day. Burrito’s way of greeting the day is certainly unmistakable.

Meal times usually involve food grunts, squeaks and, of course, some chewing. The rest of the day can run the gamut. When the mood takes them the chimpanzees will spend time grooming together, playing, or occasionally engaged in aggressive displays and each of these activities are often attended by distinct chimpanzee vocalizations. To get a feel for what I’m talking about check out today’s video and make sure to have your volume turned up and your listening ears on!

Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming!

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As the year comes to a close we are thick in the heart of the holiday season enjoying all that this can entail: friends, family, food and fun. Here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest the trick to celebrating the holidays is creating engaging and chimpanzee friendly traditions. Now, for myself, this will be my first year to enjoy the holidays as a member of the CSNW family but they’ve been at this for a while and are definitely pros. You can check out previous year’s party posts to read about ghosts of Christmas past:

2012 – Merry Christmas!
2011 – Best Christmas Ever
2010 – Happy Holiday!
2009 – Party in the morning . . .
2008 – Holiday celebration with the Cle Elum Seven

Or, if you just need a little seasonal cheer to tide you over until Christmas morning check this out!

Let the sun shine

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The sky is blue and all the leaves are, well, on the ground, but the sun is warmish and the wind is certainly not freezing today. In fact, if I didn’t know better I might be convinced that the worst that winter had to offer was on it’s way out and Spring was just around the corner! Sadly, I realize that this is not the case but that’s not going to ruin such a delightfully warm day in the middle of this otherwise frozen wasteland for me. And while it’s just a little too blustery for the chimpanzees’ taste I can tell that the spirit of Spring is affecting them as well since everyone (including the boss) is full of fun and play today!

Reflecting on Sanctuary

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In yesterday’s blog post Elizabeth talked about what sanctuary means to the chimpanzees of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, particularly Negra. As caregivers we try to provide an environment that allows individuals the opportunity to enjoy the life that sanctuary provides in the manner that most appeals to each.

For Negra, that can mean her night bags or her naps on the catwalk.
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For Jamie, cowboy boots and daily walks around Young’s Hill seem to be it.
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For Missy, maybe it’s a fulfilling friendship with Annie or a satisfying run through the grass.
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For Annie there is always Missy, but did you know she also likes bare feet?
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For Burrito, good food and good friends are often the pleasures of his day although he also enjoys wooden toys quite a lot!
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For Foxie, Doras and Trolls claim her heart.
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And for Jody, bamboo forages and warm fluffy blankets for her to nest in are always welcome.
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These are just a few of the many different favorite things of the chimpanzees, just a few of the ways they each make sanctuary their own. If I ask Google to define sanctuary here is the result:

sanc·tu·ar·y ?saNG(k)CHo?o?er?/ noun

1. a place of refuge or safety.

2. a nature reserve.

3. a holy place; a temple or church

I don’t know about you, but I think that Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest has got this definition down.

Not Funny

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It’s days like today, when it’s pouring down rain relentlessly upon our heads, that being a chimpanzee caregiver can become even more challenging than it already is. Just imagine trying to keep otherwise generally active chimpanzees entertained when the weather isn’t cooperating!

As you can see here, the weather definitely didn’t feel like cooperating today. This is what Young’s Hill looks like this afternoon:

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While many of the chimpanzees have taken advantage of the weather to engage in some indoor shenanigans others, like Jamie, are not having any of it. Here you can see Foxie & Negra playing while Jamie looks on:

Some days weather is just too much to overcome. I think, perhaps, Jamie’s having one of those days.

Quiet Contemplation

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Every day in sanctuary is a gift of life, a freedom, a privilege of choice that otherwise wouldn’t have been available to these chimpanzees. One of my greatest joys as a caregiver is, in fact, the moment I am not needed. Although I love to interact with the chimpanzees whenever we have the opportunity and am willing to don a boot and travel around Young’s Hill at Jamie’s inclination, I also appreciate the self-contained moments when my company is superfluous. I love knowing that these chimpanzees are so comfortable in their home, so secure in their sanctuary, that they can enjoy raucous company or quiet contemplation as they wish.

Jody next to the stairs in the playroom:
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Foxie sitting in the door to the greenhouse:
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Missy in silhouette on the catwalk in the playroom:
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Burrito on the wooden platform in the greenhouse:
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The Great Baked Pumpkin

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Variety is the spice of life and we try to provide that for the chimpanzees even in their meals. Most of their diet is designed, as much as is possible, to simulate a natural chimpanzee diet and, as such, consists of primarily fresh fruit and vegetables. This is supplemented with nuts, seeds, and chow to provide protein sources.

Now it can, on occasion, become a challenge to accommodate personal preference in addition to providing creative variation whenever your options are fruit or vegetables. Often the refrigerator is full of squash varietals, especially during the fall and, as it happens, the chimpanzees are not that fond of raw squash.

I’m not sure who first thought to bake the squash but whoever it was deserves chimpanzee food squeaks! It turns out that, although the chimpanzees would rather not eat squash raw, if you bake it it becomes an exciting and delectable treat. So, in the spirit of fall baking and for the sake of a little novelty, I decided to see what happens if you bake and serve pumpkin for dinner. The result?

Seven thrilled chimpanzees, with the accompanying food squeaks of joy. Baked pumpkin, for the win!

Baked pumpkin dinner:
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Here is Missy (on the left) and Foxie (on the right) being served some delicious baked pumpkin in the greenhouse:
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Jody (on the left) and Jamie (on the right) enjoying the pumpkin:
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And, last but not least, Annie eating her serving of pumpkin:
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