Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Annie

Hill grass

by

Grass has always been a favorite treat for the Cle Elum Seven, so it’s been interesting to watch their reactions to the grass on Young’s Hill.

Annie loves to eat grass, but seems very uncomfortable walking on it. I’ve been referring to her as our resident gibbon- she walks bipedally and holds her hands out a bit from her sides and her gait is almost more of a waddle than a walk. I can’t say exactly why she does this, but I’m sure it feels strange to walk barefoot on grass after years and years of nothing but concrete.

Jamie, on the other hand, is a natural out there.

And how fun is it to harvest your own treat!?

Missy and Jody:

Missy:

Jamie:

Sometimes you need a little push

by

We know that some of the chimps seem completely comfortable with Young’s Hill, especially Missy, as well as Jamie. Annie has gotten more brave with help from Missy, and Burrito and Negra have ventured out for a little bit, too. Jody and Foxie are more hesitant and have only been a few feet past the raceway tunnel. Today, Jamie encouraged both of them to come out further and even hugged Foxie and guided her along.

First few days out

by

I know all our regular blog readers have been waiting to see some more video of the chimps out on Young’s Hill. If you haven’t yet, watch this video from KOMO News that shows their first moments out (but have some tissue close by!) This montage is of highlights from the following days. Enjoy!

A good friend

by

Annie didn’t go outside at all yesterday, but she must have been psyching herself up all night because this morning she was ready to bolt out the door. She made her way up the log bridge to one of the lower climbing structures and climbed to the top. After a few minutes of bravery, she was ready to head back to the comfort and safety of the greenhouse. That may have been enough for one day.

Missy has been a good friend these last few days. She is completely at ease on the hill, but she often waits by the end of the tunnel for Annie to join her before she heads out, knowing that Annie needs someone to rely on. But Missy is not going to deprive herself of enjoying Young’s Hill, so if Annie won’t join her, she heads out on her own.

This morning, Missy was by herself on one of the structures at the top of the hill. Back down in the playroom, there was a moment of tension in the group and Annie let out an anxious scream. According to Jackie, Debbie, and Lisa, Missy heard the scream and immediately ran full speed down the hill to the building and into Annie arms.

Sunflowers

by

It’s that time of year again! It’s been a pretty cloudy, raining day here at the sanctuary, so I gave the chimps a little something from the garden to brighten up the day. The chimps really seem to enjoy picking all the petals off and then munching on the seeds. Burrito and Foxie weren’t too into it, but everyone else was pretty excited. I wasn’t able to get a good picture of Jody because she quickly took hers inside to munch on in her nest- smart woman!

Jamie:

Missy:

Negra under her blanket:

Annie: