Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Annie

Moments Like This

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As caregivers, there is a lot going on all around us. We often catch quick glimpses of fun, sweet, or playful interactions between the chimps or even with caregivers. Today, I thought I would share just a few of the infinite special interactions we see throughout the day at the sanctuary or if we are lucky enough, get to be apart of.

Throughout the week, caregivers will often stumble upon a sweet grooming session, goofy play match, or someone being mischievous (aka Honey B). Last Saturday, something so funny and spectacular happened. It honestly might be one of my favorite moments with Honey B thus far, and there are a lot of favorite memories with Honey B. I was trying to to serve Willy B pudding, which was laced with meds, because well Willy B is a hard chimp to give meds to and pudding is usually a last stitch effort (a Hail Mary if you will). In attempt to increase my odds of Willy B taking his meds, I offered non-med pudding to everyone else so Willy B wouldn’t question his pudding (it worked like a charm). Sometimes if he knows we added meds to it, he will refuse. While I was offering Dora pudding, she swiped the spoon quickly and walked away. Honey B came over to me right as Dora walked away because it was her turn for pudding! I asked her if she could get the spoon from Dora because I had no other way to serve it. Honey B had no problem kindly taking the spoon from her friend Dora’s hand and returned it to me promptly so we could continue :).

There are so many amazing moments, I hope you enjoy the video 🙂

Bonus photos from Foxie’s party yesterday!

Jamie very proud of her collection of pineapples bowls:

Annie’s sweet face full of pineapple:

Missy enjoying her pineapple:

More bonus photos!

Missy watching her friends go out on Young’s Hill this morning:

Negra holding one of Foxie’s new dolls in her pelvic pocket:

Negra nesting this morning:

Foxie with her new orange blossom:

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop (Playin’)

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We are really appreciating the break from the intense summer heat here in Cle Elum and the chimps seem to be enjoying it too. Both groups enjoyed a lunch forage today that included strawberries, blackberries, fingerling potatoes, bell peppers, and whole heads of baby Iceberg lettuce! All day today the chimps have been grooming and playing (mostly playing) with each other- so it’s been a pretty good day. Check out the video for more. 🙂

Two days ago, J.B. wrote about Willy B’s procedure. We’re happy to report that he went back with his group first thing yesterday morning and is doing great! We are so grateful to Dr. Erin and the team of professionals she brought together to help us ensure that we are giving Willy B the best possible care he can receive.

Photos from Today

Annie, looking out to Young’s Hill before breakfast this morning:

Burrito during the lunch forage on Young’s Hill:

The cattle are also enjoying this weather in their extended summer pasture!

Gordo, before a game of chase:

Jamie really putting in work during the lunch forage:

Rayne looking out through the Riverview Greenhouse:

All Around the Raspberry Bush

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When caregivers are assigned to be the lead caregiver on a certain day, one of our first tasks is to “open up” the Chimp House. For me, this is one of the best times of day because it’s still early in the morning and some residents are still not fully awake. Case in point: Negra

To walk in the morning to see Negra still in bed, you kind of watch in real time what kind of mood she will be in that particular day. And yes. She has been in a really good mood today.

Since she was in a good mood upon awakening, and because today’s high temperature in Central Washington is 70º, it was a perfect day for a lunch forage on Young’s Hill. As of this typing (almost dinner time), they have been going on and off Young’s Hill looking for anything they may have missed. On today’s forage menu was: baby iceberg lettuce heads, prickly pears, and sweet potatoes.

Foxie

Burrito (and Foxie) enjoying some baby iceberg lettuce

Missy does the same

Negra: (Iceberg) Head Hunter

With everybody in high spirits, it was also a great day to set up a browse of raspberry branches! Jamie could not have been more content!

And just like the chimpanzees’ night bags, here is a final treat of bonus photos to end today’s blog!

Rayne fishing for cherry tomatoes yesterday

Gordo keeping an eye on the medical staff during a tour after Willy B’s procedure yesterday

And finally, this guy! If you look carefully, you can find an “Easter egg” within this photo

Burrito’s Ball

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A few days ago, Grace posted a blog about Burrito having the time of his life with a scooter. In true Burrito fashion, he’s always up to something new and being silly. With that said, yesterday, I caught Burrito playing with an orange ball, which typically is ignored by him and his group members. Watching Burrito play and have fun is always one of my favorite things, as I’m sure it is all of yours too.

Today, it’s been quite warm, although nothing compared to last June’s high temperatures, so we put out some ice blocks for Jamie’s group. I’ve never seen Jamie so excited. She practically screamed when she saw me bring them out. Her enthusiasm didn’t stop for at least an hour. All six of the chimps took turns with the 3 blocks we put out. You will even see Missy in the video walk away with one, which she took up for her and Annie. Such a good friend!

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Switching Things Up

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This morning, we decided to switch things up! In our “normal” schedule for sharing outdoor access, Jamie’s group goes out onto Young’s Hill from the time we show up to work until after lunch time (that is if Jamie allows us to close the Hill then). Once we have permission from Jamie and do a head count to ensure everyone is off Young’s Hill, we then allow Cy’s group access onto the Bray. This is a short term schedule until both Cy’s group gets more comfortable with the Bray and Jamie’s group gets more comfortable seeing the group of nine out there. However, the Hill and the Bray are two completely separate areas.

We wanted to experiment trying morning time Bray access for Cy’s group to see if a change in schedule would peak interest in other individuals who haven’t gone out yet. Though Mave, Dora, and Honey B didn’t go out, it was great enrichment for Jamie’s group! I am sure we will try this a few more times, as well as other ideas along the way. But really I think that they just need time. Once Cy’s group was off the Bray we did an early lunch forage for Jamie’s group, which everyone seemed to enjoy, especially Negra!

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Negra did pretty well! She got a whole eggplant, sweet potato, and an endive and went straight back to the greenhouse to get cozy in her nest!

Foxie and her blue haired baby:

Burrito and Missy enjoying their forage together:

Missy and Foxie eating tomatoes:

Annie:

Burrito with a whole kohlrabi:

We put out a nut forage on the Bray for a little extra motivation. Willy B was very motivated!

Rayne was also able to score some nuts:

Look at this handsome Cy Guy:

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National Best Friends Day

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Chad informed me that it is National Best Friends Day today. What better day than today to highlight some of the best friend pairs around here at the sanctuary!

Jenna took this photo of  Mave and Dora yesterday. I hope we are all so lucky to have a BFF that looks at us the way Mave looks at Dora.

Here are some other highlights of “Mora” from the last several years. You might notice a lot of hand holding and hugs from those 2.

 

On the other side of the building, I obviously have to highlight the other 2 famous BFFs of the group, Annie and Missy!

While Mave and Dora are more so a lounging and hand holding pair, Annie and Missy are often spotted adventuring and playing together.

 

Of course, they get plenty of down time together where grooming is the main event:

Wishing everyone a happy National Best Friends Day – make sure to call that special someone(s) and tell them how much they mean to you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Afternoon with Annie

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I had no idea what today’s blog was going to consist of, then I caught Annie starting to build a nest and I just knew it was going to be something I should capture. Enjoy her nest building with some guest appearances by Annie’s special bird noises.

Bonus photos from The Bray!

Cy out on The Bray:

Lucky out on The Bray:

Willy B out on The Bray: