Food is a neverending source of joy for the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees. It never loses its ability to excite and satisfy.
Annie:
Burrito:
Annie
Annie at rest
This is what peace looks like:
Naps vs. Exercise
As caregivers, we love to see the chimpanzees doing an activity. We try and provide them with enriching toys, food, and other things to bring something new and exciting into their lives. Like Elizabeth said yesterday, Jamie is always looking for something to do and we do our best to satisfy her. The rest of the Cle Elum 7 aren’t quite as restless as Jamie. They spend a great deal of their day napping, rather than traveling and foraging like they might do in the wild.
While it is lovely to see a photo like this of Annie lounging on a comfy blanket in the playroom…
It is even more exciting for us to see her out on Young’s Hill, foraging, climbing, and taking in nature…
But part of being in a sanctuary, is that the chimpanzees get to choose how and where they spend their day. And today, Annie gets to take naps, pick bamboo, and be with other chimpanzees.
Between Storms
Today at the sanctuary we received several genuine downpours of rain. Not just sprinkles or mist, but actual, much needed rainfall! The chimpanzees spent the rainy part of the day inside, either sleeping in their warm nests in the playroom, or hanging out in the cooler, covered greenhouse.
In a particular break in the weather, Jamie and I went for a walk around Young’s Hill.
And Missy ate a snack at the top of the hill.
Annie got a drink of fresh rainwater that had collected on a platform.
And then we all returned inside to watch the next rain cloud roll in.
It takes a village…
The Cle Elum Seven are lucky to have an army of humans at their disposal who all contribute directly to their well-being. Chimp house volunteers make sure the chimps always have good, healthy food, interesting enrichment, plenty of blankets, and a clean and safe place to live.
A few dedicated volunteers are chosen to continue on to the highest available level of training, and become direct caregivers to the chimpanzees. These are the volunteers who develop personal relationships with the chimps, serve their meals, play and groom with them, and get to know each individual intimately to ensure everyone’s needs are being met.
These volunteer caregivers become such a regular and seamless part of the chimps’ lives that it’s hard for everyone to say goodbye when the time comes. Volunteer Connie has been a constant presence in the chimp house for over six years, but this is her last week as a caregiver to the Cle Elum Seven since she is moving on to new adventures in another state. We haven’t yet figured out a legally sound way to require lifetime service from our volunteers, so we are forced to let her go. 🙂
In all seriousness, we will miss Connie’s smile, energy, and enthusiasm. She has been a wonderful friend to the chimps and humans at CSNW, and will always be a part of the family.
Thank you to Connie and to all of our volunteers for helping these chimps live as happily and freely as possible.
To Annie on Her 41st Birthday
Dear Annie,
You haven’t always had it easy. Your first thirty years on Earth were full of fear, pain, and boredom. A lab cage is no place for anyone. Even now in your sanctuary home, you have your struggles. Being the lowest in the hierarchy isn’t easy.
But we have watched your anxiety diminish and your confidence grow. We’ve watched you make new friends, gain the courage to stand up for yourself, and learn to appreciate your own company. We love how much you love your best friend Missy. We love that as you start your 42nd year, you are still growing. We love that you haven’t let the world harden you. You inspire us all.
Happy Birthday,
Your devoted humans
Annie:
Jamie:
Missy:
Jody:
Negra:
Foxie:
Burrito:
Taking advantage of the good weather
What a gorgeous day it turned out to be; not too hot, not too cold and not too windy. That’s a pretty good combination for spending time on Young’s Hill (the chimpanzees’ 2-acre outdoor enclosure) if you’re Negra chimpanzee. She tends to be pretty particular about when she chooses to venture out onto the hill and how long she will spend out there.
So, we took advantage of the great weather and set up a lunch forage on the hill. All of the chimpanzees spent quite a bit of time foraging. Some focused on gathering their favorite food items and eating those first, while others went more for the “sampler menu.” Lunch consisted of green onions, red cabbage, potatoes, green beans and primate chow.
As you can see in the following pictures, green onions were a big hit with Negra, Missy, Jamie and Annie.
Negra
Missy
Jamie and Annie (in the background).
Burrito. Both he and Jody had their mouths and hands full of an assortment of food items.
Jody
And Foxie carried around two troll dolls in her mouth after she was done foraging. One of them was the same doll she carried yesterday.
