Annie

First Impressions: Annie

September 1, 2015 by Anna

Just after the chimpanzees had eaten lunch, I wondered into the greenhouse to find Annie, Negra and Missy napping on this cool afternoon. I had a mission to take photos of Annie because she and Foxie are my final “first impressions” blog candidates. Annie was doing some interesting yoga-like stretches that I wanted to photograph, but Missy had other ideas. She brought a small piece of stick over to me and pressed her shoulder against the caging for some grooming. She used the twig she had found to groom herself and I found a small tool to gently groom the arm she had presented. Meanwhile Annie was doing more yoga moves that I wanted to catch with my camera so I decided to try and split my time between grooming Missy and photographing her good friend Annie. Missy wasn’t sold on this decision. She moved over to Annie and received a much more attentive grooming. This was an excellent choice. While Annie may be low in the group’s hierarchy, she is high on the friendship scale.

Annie (right) grooms Missy (on the left).

Gentle Annie

Portraits

August 31, 2015 by Elizabeth

After a summer full of heatwaves in Cle Elum, we’re greeting this week’s cooler temperatures (and even rain!) with open arms. Today the chimpanzees have been making the most of the break from the heat and spending lots of time outside on Young’s Hill. While adventure is great, it’s important to mix in some quiet time here and there. Here are my favorite portraits of the day.

Negra:

Missy:

Jody:

Jamie:

Foxie:

Burrito:

Annie:

Happy Birthday, Missy!

August 23, 2015 by Elizabeth

It’s hard to believe that youthful, exuberant, energizer-bunny Missy is turning 40 today. She might be in the running for World’s Most Sprightly 40 Year Old Chimpanzee. Missy makes us smile everyday with her enthusiasm for life, her legs that never stop running, and her complete devotion to her chimp family. Today, we celebrate her.

Volunteer caregiver Patti put together an 80s-themed party for Missy’s big day. Naturally this included leg warmers, socks, and sweatbands in neon colors (including a few for caregivers to wear), and homemade Rubik’s Cube pinatas. We firmly believe a party is not a party without streamers, so we decked out the greenhouse with those too. Fruit smoothie “shots” in Dixie cups, apples, plums, tomatoes (Missy’s favorite), and primate chow rounded out the celebration.

Missy:

Negra:

Annie:

Jody:

Jamie:

Foxie:

Burrito:

For Missy, no day is complete without some serious adventure, so we scattered a lunch forage on Young’s Hill. And adventure she did:

To everyone who contributed to Missy’s party, sponsored today, or just sent happy thoughts to the birthday girl, thank you!

Happy Birthday, Arlene!

August 19, 2015 by Katelyn

If you missed it earlier in the week, the chimpanzees received the beautiful gift of a week of sanctuary, sponsored by Michael for Arlene in celebration of her birthday! Arlene, as today is your actual birthday, we want to send lots of birthday pant hoots, squeaks, and grunts your way. We hope your day is filled with all that you most love and if you need any ideas of how to spend your time, here are some suggestions from the chimpanzees:

Enjoy a peaceful walk, like Annie:

Burrito might suggest doing anything as long as it involves food:

Enjoying the company of good friends like Foxie (right), Jamie (left), Doras and trolls:

Jamie likes to spend quality time admiring her beautiful boots:

A relaxing day of yoga, Jody-style:

Missy might choose anything involving an adventure:

And Negra…well, it’s pretty safe to say Negra thinks every day should be celebrated with relaxing in a cozy nest in a sunny spot:

Arlene, however you choose to spend your special day, we hope it’s filled with the hope, love, home and sanctuary that you and Michael so graciously help ensure for the chimpanzees. Happy Birthday!!

Morning greetings and breakfast forage

August 16, 2015 by Keri

One of the first things I do after arriving at the chimp house is to walk around the various enclosures to see where all of the chimpanzees are at and to greet them. Sometimes the chimps are still in their blanket nests that they made the previous night. Sometimes, they are wide awake; chasing one another along the upstairs catwalk or through the Front Rooms. At other times, they may be lined up along the caging to give morning kisses, head nods (a typical chimpanzee greeting) or to elicit games of chase with staff and volunteer caregivers.

This morning, Jamie was the first one I saw in the Playroom area of their home. I gave her a couple of quick head nods, which she reciprocated before gesturing to see my shoes. Burrito sat down next to her and slapped the floor a few times to elicit a quick game of chase. Foxie was busy getting drinks from the fountain, while holding onto her dora doll. Jody came up to where I was standing and extended her lips through the caging to offer me a kiss on the back of my hand. Annie and Missy were busy playing chase with one another. I looked into the pile of blankets on the catwalk where Negra typically makes her nightly nest, but it was empty. So, I went out to the Greenhouse portion of their home and found her on the top platform (another favorite spot of hers).

I gave her a quick verbal “Good morning Neggie.” She turned around to look at me momentarily before going back to what she was doing.

Oh, how I love this lady. I’ll take her quick glance toward me as a morning greeting and be forever thankful.

And, I just couldn’t resist sharing the following photos on today’s blog, as well. I think you’ll understand why when you see them. They were taken during this morning’s breakfast forage in the Greenhouse.

Annie

Burrito

Foxie

Jody

Never too old to have fun

August 14, 2015 by J.B.

Annie and Missy are a couple of old ladies. They don’t seem to know this, however, so let’s not tell them and we’ll just hope they never find out.

Foraging for food and a doll

August 9, 2015 by Keri

While setting up a lunch forage on Young’s Hill, the chimpanzees’ 2 acre outdoor enclosure, volunteer caregiver Patti spotted an “abandoned” French Dora doll. After some deliberation, we decided to leave the doll on the hill and see who would rescue her. Hint: the answer is in the video below.

Burrito had a hard time deciding between which to grab more of, small bell peppers or primate chow.