Is there anything better than watching happy chimpanzees do nothing at all?
Annie
Beat the Heat
The chimps were proactive this morning to beat the heat! First they got all their strenuous tasks out of the way. For example, today was a whopping 96 degrees and tomorrow is only going to get hotter. So Jamie decided to get her walks in right away in the morning:
Second we kept everything closed off to keep it cool all day, but before we crawled into our dark den (we have all been there on a hot day) we got some grooming done:
Missy, Annie, and Jody thought they should groom in the Greenhouse early:
Annie grooming Jody:
Missy:
And Burrito decided to have a lazy day and just watch the volunteers clean:
In the playroom we set out water in buckets (the chimps always have access to water but sometimes drinking water out of buckets is fun!) and in between cleaning areas I would serve water out of the hose or spray our handled mister/fan (really only Jamie like that…).
However, as our third way to stay cool we had a vote and the chimps decided to have watermelon shaved ice boats. So that’s what we did!
Staff caregiver Katelyn was kind enough to help me with this task (Foxie observing closely):
Jamie:
The watermelon was so juicy:
Burrito:
Burrito was so excited you can see how pilo his hair is:
Annie:
I don’t think anything is more refreshing than watermelon shaved ice!
Eagle eyes
There are moments in every caregiver’s life when a chimpanzee is wildly gesturing for something that they want, but we simple minded humans just can’t decipher their communication.
This afternoon Jamie spotted something on the ground that she needed me to give her.
After several minutes of frustrated gesturing. I spotted this single tiny black currant that had fallen on the ground at breakfast.
All is well.
Bonus!
Annie has chosen to make the switch from yellow to orange.
The portrait studio recently received an extreme makeover (more on that tomorrow). Look for portraits to feature a lovely grey backdrop from now on. Here’s Jody:
Choice
Annie has been wearing a yellow elastic headband around her waist for the past week. This makes us happy because it’s her choice and it seems to make her happy. The headband is part of the daily enrichment we offer to the chimps, which also includes blankets, dolls, scarves, socks, hats, boots, wooden toys, plastic tools, toothbrushes, nail files, bags, buckets, stuffed animals, books, magazines, paper, and anything else we think they might enjoy that’s safe for them to have. The chimps are free to use, destroy, or ignore these items in any way they see fit.
Most people are used to seeing chimpanzees wearing clothing because chimps used in movies, television shows, commercials, and print advertisements have traditionally been forced (and often duct-taped) into clothes against their will for the purpose of entertaining humans (or selling products).
At CSNW, Annie’s only job is to be herself.
Bakin’
Oh my gosh guys, it is HOT. The chimps are so toasty the only thing they could do today was lay down and groom. That was seriously all we did today… well we also ate some shaved ice too!
Annie and Jody laying on the platform in the Green House (Annie in happy baby pose) (Jody relaxing by her side):
Annie:
Jamie watching the volunteers clean the Playroom…
And then she caught me taking a photo of her…
Missy came to join the being a lump party:
And why not groom while you’re there:
In the other corner Burrito was grooming Foxie and Negra was taking in the view:
When She Says Jump
Jamie is truly an amazing person, there is a lot to her. She is always surprising us, for being a more “serious chimp” a lot of the time, I kept catching her doing silly little things throughout today. For example, we had a donor visitor group this afternoon, during which she proceeded to make each visitor try on her favorite boot. (This is not something she normally does. Normally Jamie might give them some attention, look at some shoes, and then get back to foraging.) I never know what to expect from her, which is the best part about her! But, what I can usually expect is a fierce and fearless Jamie.
Jamie wearing her boot and foraging for nuts:
Jamie staring out of the playroom on a barrel that she dragged over herself:
Jamie looking fierce:
Jamie laying on the barrel (taking a quick snooze):
Jamie was practicing her tight rope walking this morning (she picked a spot where it was hard to see her, so she could practice in private):
This is a photo of one of our visitors wearing Jamie’s favorite boots upon her request:
Bonus photos:
Negra walking onto Young’s Hill this morning:
Burrito watching over Jody:
Missy quietly foraging:
Annie sporting her sweatband on her waist and walking bipedally up the Hill:
Burrito, Jo, and Foxie hanging out on the new structure:
Mondayz
Many might be wondering how we beat a case of the Mondays at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest? Well this is an easy question!
1. We get our exercise in A LOT…
Missy in the lead and Jody not far behind:
Missy waiting for the group to catch up:
Jamie and Foxie:
Jamie kept checking up on Foxie to make sure she was keeping up:
Annie took a little detour but joined the walk a little later:
2. We forage like fiends…
Jody hidden behind the shrub, secretly grabbing some yummy weeds:
3. We lounge…
Negra:
Annie:
4. We take snack breaks…
Fresh strawberries:
5. We strike a pose…
Jody:
Foxie:
6. And we hang out with good friends…
If you follow these simple steps you also may never suffer from a case of the Mondays!
