Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Animal Welfare

Jamie’s Boots and a Scarecrow Murder Mystery

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Before I begin, let’s play a game! Who killed the scarecrow?

If you look closely, there is a hint. Be sure to think about it as you continue reading on. The answer will be revealed at the end!

Last week, I received a new pair of Xtra-Tuf boots. After a year and many miles put on them, holes were starting to develop in them. It is manageable though, however, after the other caregivers noticed my boots, I was convinced to finally retire those pair.

“Retire them” is a vague term however. As you may know, Jamie is a fan of the Xtra-Tuf boots. She is also a fan of what boots belong on what humans.

When I unboxed my new boots, I casually walked near the doors to Jamie’s Playroom, just to see if she would notice without any kind setup. It took her about 2 seconds to notice I was not wearing my “normal” boots. As you know, with any new boots, Jamie has to thoroughly inspect them by grooming them.

This moment lasted about two minutes. Jamie quickly determined that these boots do not belong on this human. In fact, these boots belong on any human except this one.

First, she demanded(!) Katelyn wear them around Young’s Hill with them on, not once, not twice, but three times.

Then, she demanded Katelyn take a trip around Young’s Hill (while showing them off) on the Gator with Sam as the driver.

She even wanted to really break them in by racing the Gator.

Funny story about this photo. I was behind the Gator, which Sam was driving and Katelyn was riding in wearing my boots. I was wearing my old boots because like I said, they belonged on anybody but me. I also didn’t belong in the Gator apparently.

Over the past week, she has had every other human wear them.

Jamie grooming them while Sam wears them.
Sofia wearing them around Young’s Hill with Jamie.

During my weekend, I was also informed Diana and Kelsi were told they had to wear them throughout the day.

At this point, I think it’s fair to say every human has worn them more than me. I’m not mad or upset about this. I am fully aware this is Jamie’s world and I’m just living in it. If these boots don’t belong on me, then those are the rules.

Here is a bonus photo of Missy from yesterday. As Burrito and I were running around Young’s Hill, Missy came out with a Brussels sprout stalk in her mouth. She ran the entire way with it in her mouth as if it were the Olympic Torch. As I witnessed this, I radioed Anthony to get a photo before she made her way inside. Where did it come from? The only explanation is that it was stowed away safely somewhere after Jamieween.

Have you locked in your guess who the scarecrow killer was? The person who caused this grisly scene was…

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JAMIE!!!!!

Though she also had accomplices.

Missy and Annie were Jamie’s accomplices.

October 32nd

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So, about last night…

Jamieween isn’t officially over until the chimps say it is. Even though it’s now officially November 1st, they’re still enjoying themselves like its just another day of October.

For those of you who missed the original post or want to refresh your memory, I will simply link to yesterday’s blog entry by Sam: Jamieween 2021!

Today, we spent the morning cleaning up the disastrous mess that inevitably follows a house party of that caliber. It’s hard to describe the mess that sixteen chimps create when their caregivers prime their enclosures with a lavish excess of enrichment materials, but perhaps the following snapshots will allow you to imagine the scene: Pumpkin guts splattered on the walls, pistachio and peanut shells in heaps on the floor, a half-eaten Jack-O-Lantern, raffle tickets blowing around like tumbleweeds, and shiny new books about bonobos and mummies lovingly tucked into a blanket nest.

Enrichment Coordinator Chad helped me to collect some photos of the aftermath.

Happy October 32nd, everyone!!! Thanks for helping us make this Jamieween an exciting day (or series of days) for all the chimps!

Chimpanzee Paparazzi

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The next time a stranger asks me what I do, I think I will answer that I’m part of a paparazzi team for some high-profile niche celebrities, focusing on positive images and stories.

The camera was clicking away when I was taking these photos of Queen Negra today:

Co-paparazzi J.B. captured this image of the devilishly handsome Willy B while he was in the Courtyard.

Fall Things Considered

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Today’s itinerary is, per usual, quite full.

Our staff is staying busy with ongoing social integrations between the two former Waystation groups, regular cleaning and organizing in the Chimp House, and special projects around the sanctuary.

In place of a wordy update, I’m just going to upload some photos I’ve taken of the sanctuary residents basking in the warm autumn colors (and crisp October breezes).

Annie and Jody return to the building after foraging in Young’s Hill
Nutmeg
Meredith
Honey
Betsy
Meredith’s nose
Honey
Betsy
Meredith
Betsy
A free-ranging blacktail fawn taking shelter in a wooded section of the property
Barn Kitty (a feral cat who hangs out around the sanctuary’s barn)
A rainbow over one of the property’s old farm buildings

Fall Vibes

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Fall is starting to set in real nicely here in the Pacific Northwest. Temperatures are nice and the days are sunny for the most part. We do have some rain in the forecast that is supposed to last some time. So to take advantage of this nice sunny mid-60º weather today, Jody’s group had one last forage on Young’s Hill before the rain comes in.

On today’s menu was corn, carrots, beets, and primate chow!

Annie:

Burrito:

Foxie:

Jamie:

Jody:

Missy:

Negra:

Cy’s group and Willy B’s group were also treated to a lunch of corn, carrots, and beets, along with their primate chow.

After lunch, every body spent most of the afternoon snoozing. Well, almost everybody.

Cy had to catch up on some afternoon ready:

And Mave spent her time soaking in as much sun as she could:

Queen of Brussels (Sprouts)

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Please enjoy these photos of Queen Negra obtaining Brussels Sprouts on a gorgeous fall day.

She got in some calisthenics during the forage.

Bonus: Jamie and red peppers in the tall grass

Burrit-O’s

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As the temperatures begin to drop, Jamie’s group have been waiting a little while before going onto Young’s Hill in the morning, but not too long. Well… Almost everybody in her group…

One of the first things we do when we arrive at the Chimp House is to do a security check to give the chimpanzees access to Young’s Hill as soon as possible. This morning, as I opened the door to the Hill, most hung back a little bit for the sun to do it’s work and warm things up a little bit. But Burrito is a different story. We have been talking about how much we all could have the level of energy he has that early in the day. Once the door was open, *zoom* he was out the door and off to the races. I grabbed the camera and ran as fast as I could. I usually can keep up with him most of the day, however, the first run in the morning is the one where he undeniably beats me.

I grabbed what photos I could while running. As you might expect, they are just a blur.

This is probably only one of the clear photos I got of him, because he was waiting for me so he can turn around and run the other way!

This set of photos are when we completed a lap around Young’s Hill, then he decided to turn around to go again.

Then once we made our way back to the starting point, we went around again. This time though, other members of his family decided to join.

Burrito, Dora the Explorer’s friend Kate, and I waiting for Jamie to catch up. (Missy had already passed us as we waited.)

Then it was off to the races again!

Keep in mind, Young’s Hill is indeed a hill and most of the run is up. I say this as an excuse for my huffing and puffing, trying to catch my breath throughout the day. How he has this amount of energy in the morning? It’s almost as if he eats a bowl of Cheerios (or Burrit-O’s that I assume are more energy-packed) before we arrive to ensure he is ready to go once we walk through the door.

(Photo courtesy of Sam)

Some bonus photos from today!

Cy playing chase in his Greenhouse. He moves incredibly fast for such a big guy!
Lucky lounging on the firehose!
Jody enjoying her dinner leek! Don’t mind the corn kernels Jamie “accidentally” dropped on her head.

And a huge thank you who have supported us during Giving Day for Apes! There is still a few hours left you you wish and can support us to reach our goal! Because of you support, not just during Giving Day for Apes, but also on a regular basis, you help us try to provide the best life we can for the 20 individuals in our care. Thank you so much!