Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
There is a special joy you feel when you catch a chimpanzee happily nesting with a gigantic pile of blankets. No one is a happier nester than Annie Chimpanzee. She does a rhythmic seated shuffle while she builds her nest around her body, then she lays down to check her comfort level. Then she adds additional padding where necessary, all with a little bounce in her feet.
This morning everyone was on the move and cattails were still very much a theme! Jody seemed to have lot of ground to make up for because this morning we could barely keep up with her. In the afternoon the chimps had a delicious lunch forage and spent the rest of the day grooming, walking (Jamie), and playing with human and non-human friends. Overall, the chimps had a nice relaxing Sunday spent with good food, people, and friends.
Negra on the Hill this morning grabbing a few things:
Like I said Jody was on the go all morning. However, I did find a sleepy Jo in the early morning before everyone had access to the Hill, curled up on a pile of hay soaking up some sun:
Once they had access to the Hill I couldn’t keep up. Here is a sequence of her movements this morning.
Jody was the first one on the Hill:
Everything looked good so she headed back to enjoy some chow:
Jody (climbing up) seemed to be on a mission (Annie-left, Missy-right, Foxie-behind log):
Over the bridge:
To find cattails:
Burrito always enjoys some early morning play sessions, he was running around like crazy playing chase:
Burrito didn’t really feel like going on the Hill today, so he patiently waited in the Green House for everyone to come back:
Annie also was soaking in the warm sun in the Green House:
Annie walked out bipedally to eat her chow on the Hill:
And also to get some time to herself:
We’ve had some lovely (almost fall-like) cool mornings lately. This crisp air makes it prime time for exploring the great expanse that is Young’s Hill.
Annie and Foxie headed for the newest structure we are calling “The Escher.” They have no qualms about climbing to the top.
In fact, Annie took “top” to the whole next level!
Today, we had a visit from some of the firefighters from our local fire district. They have all been taking turns visiting on their shifts and getting the lay of our property and buildings. JB gave them a tour of the buildings, but Jamie had to lead the tour of the property.
Just one thing was required first:
This is Jamie expression as she watched her guest try on her current favorite boot. Notice the pilo-erect hair and intense look on her face -this is one excited chimpanzee! :
This morning we got the okay to reintroduce Jody back to the group. She received a very warm welcome as you will see in the video. Jody was greeted by Jamie and Burrito when she got access to the Playroom. Jamie was very happy to see Jody was doing well, but also needed to inspect the rooms Jody had been in for the past few days. Jody wanted nothing more than to go straight out to Young’s Hill. Most morning when the chimps get access to the Hill, Jody, the mother hen that she is, likes to be first out to ensure it is safe and secure. So of course, that would be the first place to go when you are reunited back with your friends. We are very happy to see Jody is recovering so well!
Jody laying down while Burrito (middle) grooms Jo and Foxie (right) grooms Burrito:
Annie (left) and Burrito (right) grooming Jody (middle):
And well then there is Burrito:
He was some humans arriving this morning and was very excited to see them (Burrito pant hooting):
The ending of Burrito’s excited pant hoot:
The lush green of summer has melted into a golden reverie. Days are still warm, but early mornings and nights are decidedly cool, sometimes even goosebump inducing. Blooms have turned to berries, seeds are scattering in the wind along with feathers from empty nest boxes, and the remaining wild families are growing, juveniles bouncing between parent and independence. Summer’s exhale.
The chimps spent a long time exploring on the hill this morning after breakfast. Longer than I’ve seen for awhile. Climbing old haunts and investigating nooks and crannies. Annie and Burrito traversed the shaky bridges and just spent time enjoying, well, their time.
Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:
Jamie:
Jody returned from her wild foraging adventures and sat in the raceway to Young’s Hill with her wildflower treat:
Meanwhile, back in the chimp house, Foxie!
Taking a break from cleaning:
It was a great morning to go outside! All the chimps were out playing on the structures, walking the perimeter, foraging for foliage, or if you were Negra you were still in bed.
Missy started her morning with some tight rope walking:
And she was feeling pretty good about it:
Burrito spent a lot of his morning following Annie around:
Annie pretended not to notice Burrito, and enjoyed some slices of grapefruit:
I found Burrito under the bridge watching the ladies from below:
Annie on the platform, Missy on the fire hose, and Burrito underneath:
Once they were off the Hill, Missy (left) and Annie (right) decided to groom:
Missy laid down, and Annie kept grooming:
Foxie (front) and Jody (behind) decided to walk most of the perimeter of the Hill until they both got distracted by foliage and climbing structures:
This blanket lump is actually Negra. She was too comfy to get out of bed:
Jamie spent her morning going on a walk, and later laying on a barrel with some of her beloved boots. She had to supervise the volunteers while they cleaned:
We had a nice relaxing day here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest!
Burrito was following Jody around a lot today (on the Hill, in the Playroom, and laid close by her side in the Greenhouse):
But Jody was still able to make sometime for herself:
Annie, Burrito, & Foxie all went off to venture out on the Hill. Everyone eventually went on a walk with Jamie, except Neggie who stayed in her nice warm bed:
Annie did quite a bit of solo walking on Young’s Hill (maybe taking in the nice view or the gentle breeze):
Afterwards Annie was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open:
Jamie was watching the volunteers clean the Playroom in the utmost comfort:
However, Jamie also became so sleepy she couldn’t keep her eyes open:
