Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Bernice Schick in honor of Kayla on her birthday!
Bernice, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees in celebration of Kayla! We are always touched when people so compassionately include the chimpanzees in their lives.
Kayla, all of us here at the sanctuary hope you have the best birthday yet filled with all that makes your heart happy!
Adventurous-hearted Annie:
Today is not only Mother’s Day, but it is also Jody’s birthday! We had double to celebrate! There is no better way to celebrate than to have a Green House and Young’s Hill forage, we even set out a whole coconut (I bet you can guess who ended up with it)! We love celebrating Mother’s Day, why not tell the strong women who helped shape who you are how much you love them! We do have a few mothers at our sanctuary including Jody. Jody is kind, nurturing, and always making sure that everyone is safe. For Jody’s birthday we set out lilacs because she loves to go on the Hill and find things like thistles, spruce trees, etc. Well, it turns out Missy LOVES lilacs and got most of them! Jody did get one of her favorites, which is the top of a pineapple (she was pleased)!
Missy eating all the lilacs:
Neggie had a nice relaxing day. She foraged on the Hill in the morning all by herself, attended the party, and napped for most of the day (it was pretty exhausting):
Power pose, Negra actually jump with all her might to get the enrichment, it was very exciting to watch:
Annie gathered some lilacs and then ventured out to the Hill to forage:
Burrito stayed pretty close to the birthday girls side, but found some opportunities to enjoy a drink and go on the Hill:
Foxie actually found the coconut and tried ever so quietly to sneak away:
Foxie eventually ditched the coconut and came back for it later in the afternoon, however Jamie heard Foxie trying to crack it open on the new structure and Jamie food peered her way into getting the coconut…
But Foxie did get to enjoy herself at the party:
Jamie enjoyed some cold drinks and some snacks as well:
Later when it was very warm Jamie and I took a few walks, when she got hot she would just hide in the shade:
Jody spent a lot of her day laying around, enjoying good company, and eating some of her favorite things. That sounds like a great 43rd birthday to me!
The birthday girl, Jody:
Cheers Jody! Happy 43rd Birthday (Missy is holding the drink):
Jamie had a lot to do today. J.B was doing some work around the Chimp House so of course Jamie needed to monitor his work, but Jamie also had to get her perimeter walks in, as well as practice her tight rope walking.
Jamie started the day with making sure J.B. was doing his job (he was, as always):
Than Jamie and I surveyed the Hill (it was clear):
Once the Hill was secure, Jamie hit the logs to warm up her balance:
After Jamie was warmed up she decided to get straight to business:
Wow! She really nailed round 1, but this was practice so she had to go again:
Her technique was impeccable, so she tried again:
Wow, Jamie was flawless by round 3! Practice really does make perfect! But, with her busy schedule Jamie decided she needed to get back to work. This morning was nice and warm, so it wasn’t just Jamie out and about. Everyone made an appearance on the Hill at one point in the day, even Neggie came out to forage for some grass, or at least before the rain came.
Missy exploring on the Hill:
Annie lounging around:
Foxie was hanging out on the Hill too:
Foxie and Jody spent some time outside together:
But, Burrito was never too far behind Jody:
Negra made a nice nest and took advantage of the peace and quiet while everyone explored the Hill:
The chimpanzees had their first lilacs of the season this morning! The lilacs are just starting to bloom so should be perfect just in time for the chimps’ Mother’s Day celebration. Jamie collected an entire bouquet for herself, leaving the other chimps with one flower each. While Jamie enjoyed hers at a leisurely pace at her private table in the frontrooms, the others literally inhaled them before I could get photos. But at least they got one!
Missy:
Annie savored hers with sweet Foxie unabashedly food-peering at her in hopes she’d share hers, but Annie isn’t easily swayed when it comes to food. And lilacs are something all the chimps really love. Annie decided to build a nest and finish up the stems in comfort.
Today was a gorgeous day. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and the barn doors were open! Words could not describe the day we had, but pictures can!
This photo was actually from last week but Jamie just looks so good I coudn’t resist:
Jamie and I sauntered around Young’s Hill mid morning and afternoon:
Annie made bird noises and relaxed all day in the Greenhouse:
Missy looking fierce:
Foxie enjoyed some carrots and chow:
Jamie had lunch with her boot and was skeptical about the broccoli… (However, she did like it):
Burrito:
Negra and Jody spent their day napping in the greenhouse and a little in the Playroom. While napping in the Playroom, I did preform a jig for Neggie while she laid in the sun. Too bad there is no video to show how much she enjoyed the show…
Jody napping:
Well today was full of anticipation! By 9 am J.B. and our amazing volunteers were out building this SPECTACULAR climbing structure and yes that word does have to be in all caps because it is that stunning. The structure has a little bit of everything for every chimp and these chimps could not wait to get out on Young’s Hill and check it out! However, the chimps could not go out on the Hill until it was done. They waited so patiently and found ways to stay busy! Jamie monitored the volunteers cleaning and the volunteers helping with the structure, Neggie napped in the nice and toasty Greenhouse, Burrito played chase, and Missy, Jody, Annie, & Foxie played some wild games! Jody was half pilo all day just from all the excitement, she was so excited she was even playing like crazy with Missy today. For not being able to go on the Hill most of the day these chimps were in great moods!
Jody a little pilo:
Negra:
We really put our volunteers to work today:
Volunteer working hard:
The chimps loved the final product:
It’s really nice when the day to day routine can be broken up. Here at the sanctuary we have a fairly regular schedule, but there is often something going on to shake things up. Today, for example, J.B. had some work to do with the gator and the tractor. Jamie, naturally, took great interest in this. We took numerous walks to watch J.B. and make sure his work was up to par (no worries, it was). We also have several different volunteers onsite on any given day! Lizz, who is a level 3 volunteer, was here this weekend. Burrito was loving it!
Burrito:
Lizz and Burrito playing tug-of-war:
However, sometimes shaking up a “normal” day can be exhausting. The chimps were all in spots relaxing where the camera couldn’t reach (& Jamie also didn’t want anyone getting their photo taken), but I did get one of Neggie snacking on some spruce tree, wrapped up in a blanket:
And a bonus photo of Burrito:
Burrito later watched Lizz leave from Front Room 4:
