Missy is Annie’s best friend, but she is more dominant on the chimp hierarchy. Today she took Annie’s place in a huge paper nest Annie built (called “displacement”), but Annie didn’t get upset—instead, she started to play.
Annie
Going Her Own Way
Annie has been steadily growing in confidence since arriving at the sanctuary. And with her newfound confidence has come an increased independence. There was a time when Annie wouldn’t leave her best friend Missy’s side. Missy was not only friend but security blanket. And while Missy is still no doubt Annie’s favorite person in the world, Annie is spending more and more time in peaceful solitude. It seems Annie’s finally learned to enjoy her own company.
This afternoon when Missy decided it was time for a little exercise on Young’s Hill, Annie followed her out but then went off in her own direction for a lazy stroll.
After several minutes of sprints on the hill, Missy wore herself out and headed inside to the warm playroom to rest. Annie watched Missy go inside but took her time following. When she did go in a few minutes later, she stopped in the empty greenhouse for a few moments of alone time. (She found a leftover corn cob from lunch to wadge.)
A little later, Annie headed into the playroom to curl up next to Missy. Despite her growing independence, Annie’s always appreciated the comfort that can be found in a good friend.
The Annie bird
This afternoon has been warm enough that most of the chimpanzees have spent their time relaxing in the greenhouse. But I caught Annie inside the play room enjoying a peaceful nesting spot next to the window, in the sun.
It’s always a joy to see Annie (and all of the chimpanzees) so relaxed and content.
And this is usually the time when we see (and hear) her endearing “Annie-isms” such as clapping her feet together and making her patented “bird noises.” She makes these sounds by blowing against her hands (seen below) in a manner that is similar to what humans do to whistle. Hearing the elusive “Annie bird” always brings a smile to our faces because we know it means she is happy and relaxed.
But then the warmth of the winter sun just felt too good…
Greenhouse mornings
As JB mentioned in the video of his recent blog post, “Lending a hand,” the days at the sanctuary revolve around a routine that relies on chimpanzee participation. For example, the chimpanzees are asked to shift into different areas throughout the day so that we can have access other areas to clean while they are not present. The majority of enclosure cleaning happens in the morning (provided everyone is in the mood, of course). On warm, sunny, summer days this often means that the chimpanzees spend an hour or so exploring Young’s Hill. During the winter, however, this is sometimes not the most appealing way to spend time! This morning, with windy gusts up to 40 miles an hour, the chimpanzees opted to spend their morning in the greenhouse while we cleaned in the playroom.
Missy:
Annie in the foreground, Missy in the background:
Missy catches me taking pictures from the loft in the playroom:
Annie rests after a quick wrestling game with Missy:
Burrito catches the paparazzi:
Burrito and Jamie inspect the boxes:
And, finally, Jamie comes over to see what I’m up to:
Today is for human Annie!
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Elizabeth Cromer in honor of Annie Norris! Elizabeth shared this lovely message for Annie:
“We would like to sponsor this day to you, Annie. You are so very special to us and God knew we needed you in our lives. Thanks for loving us. We know you are a blessing to all the chimps and everyone you come in contact with. Love, the Cromer clan and your Daddy-O.”
Annie is not only a dedicated chimp house volunteer, but she helps us out in countless other ways, including playing an instrumental role in the planning, coordination, and success of our events. Annie has a beautiful, big heart and we humans and chimpanzees are all so fortunate to have her as part of the CSNW family. Elizabeth, thank you so much for sponsoring today for the chimpanzees in Annie’s honor!
Human Annie’s Pals, Missy and Annie Chimpanzee, sharing a relaxing moment together:
Missy and Annie play wrestle
Are you sick of seeing Missy and Annie play? I didn’t think so! These two are always wrestling and having a good time. Here’s a video that is bound to brighten your Tuesday afternoon:
Happy Birthday, Don Young!
Today we’re celebrating Don Young’s 75th birthday. Don and Karen Young have been endlessly generous in their support of the sanctuary and the Cle Elum Seven. Among many other things, Don and Karen provided the contribution that allowed us to break ground on what is now known as Young’s Hill. Each time the chimpanzees step outside onto their two-acre open air habitat, we feel so thankful to the Youngs for making it happen. See Diana’s blog post from this morning for more on Don and Karen.
Karen sponsored today for the chimps in honor of Don’s birthday, so we threw a lavish party to celebrate. The weather was unseasonably nice today, so first thing this morning we set up parties in the greenhouse and on Young’s Hill. The chimps foraged for coconuts, pineapple, kiwi, beets, Brussels sprouts, sweet potato, and fruit smoothie in Dixie cups.
Although the weather was beautiful for January in Cle Elum, it was still a little cool for Negra, so she chose to stay in the greenhouse:
But everyone else went outside and foraged for breakfast on Young’s Hill:
Burrito gathered some Brussels sprouts:
And Jamie collected some beets:
The real prizes of the morning were the two whole coconuts. Missy quickly found one of them:
and looked for a safe place to enjoy it:
She was soon joined by Jody:
Jody was very happy to find the second coconut a little later:
There was plenty of coconut to go around, and everyone eventually got a chance to enjoy some.
Foxie:
Annie:
We can’t possibly count the ways in which we’re grateful for Karen and Don’s generosity. The Cle Elum Seven wouldn’t enjoy the life they do without them. Happy birthday, Don!
