I once learned in a primate behavior class that adult chimps don’t tend to play much unless they’re playing with juveniles. Clearly, nobody gave the Cle Elum Seven the news. These are a few of my favorite play videos:
Animal Welfare
A Walk in the Snow
The chimpanzees have been making the most of the paths we made through the snow this weekend. As soon as the door to Young’s Hill was opened this morning, Foxie, Annie, Missy, and Jody set out to explore.
After the Storm
The days after a snowstorm (or series of snowstorms) are so wonderful, aren’t they? It’s like reawakening to a changed world.
J.B., with the help of volunteer Jonathan, made some pathways in the snow for the chimpanzees today. The chimps watched the work being done for them from the greenhouse. When everything was ready for them, they went outside to stretch their legs a bit, take in the landscape, and get some snow to snack on.
Burrito following Annie:
Jody:
Jody and Missy:
Foxie:
You may have already guessed that Negra wasn’t with the first expedition of the morning, but instead stayed inside until afternoon:
Jamie, meanwhile, was preoccupied with a couple of magazines. In fact, she’s more preoccupied with photos of boots than with boots themselves lately.
She did take the time to go outside to grab a big chuck of snow after lunch before returning to a magazine:
Icicles
The chimpanzees continue to enjoy the spoils of winter.
Today is in Memory of Margaret Elizabeth Sharp
Sandra chose to sponsor today with this lovely message about her mother:
My beloved mother passed away last August, and in honor of what would have been her birthday, I send love to both the sanctuary and its precious residents. My mom was shy, endlessly loving, kind beyond measure, non-judgemental, vulnerable . . . I think she would very much recognize the chimps as kindred spirits and cheer on their resilience, autonomy, and place in this world.
Thank you so, so much for the message and for remembering your mother by supporting the sanctuary, Sandra!
A Dietary Staple
There’s one item that’s part of any self-respecting Pacific Northwest chimpanzee’s diet.
Cautiously Carefree
The chimpanzees still don’t do much lounging on Young’s Hill. They spend quiet moments outside, to be sure, but it’s rare to see any of them just fully relax like they do when they’re indoors. Even when we’ve put out blankets, we haven’t seen them really nest.
Perhaps because they spent decades living indoors in laboratories without access to big open spaces, the outdoors seem to require more vigilance. I guess I feel the same way, come to think of it.
This morning, I did catch Foxie lying down way up high on the structure donors named “Jamie’s Lookout”.
You might notice that she’s still holding onto the ladder.
Even with this tether to security, you can tell that she is happy because she’s rubbing her big toe and second toe together – a classic and unique sign of happiness for Foxie.
Missy noticed Foxie in repose, and came over with a big playface. Then ensued a very short tickle/wrestle game (so short I didn’t capture a decent photo).
Missy then spied on J.B. who was with the cattle on the other property,
took a moment to sit next to the now upright Foxie,
and resumed her position on the other side of the lookout.
Foxie did some careful inspecting of the structural integrity of the platform before making her way back down.
