Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

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Caregivers, Assemble!

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I send my apologies to our supporters, followers, well-wishers, and passersby of today’s blog. Today is the first time staff had a meeting since a couple weeks before Jamieween. Usually, I can put together a blog and photos after the meetings, but since some time has passed since our last meeting, there was a lot to discuss. So please excuse today’s blog as it is really several ideas I had today to write about, but wasn’t able to let any of them to come to full fruition.

Willy B seemed a tad annoyed when I thought I would write a blog about him since it has been a little while

So I let that idea go.

Mave inspired the thought of trying to write about chimpanzee facial expressions

But a blog like that would require a little more time to do it justice.

Jamie carrying her boot onto Young’s Hill

And Cy carrying his magazine onto the Bray

I was going to have a montage of enrichment items the chimps bring with them into the outdoor enclosures, but I couldn’t find anybody else and I didn’t have time to go through our archives.

Rayne getting low to get a better look at the approaching stranger danger (really it was Jenna in her street closes that threw Rayne off)

And Jamie and Burrito going around Young’s Hill with caregivers Grace, Jenna, and Diana

Which in turn ended up Burrito going around Young’s Hill with me

Those last few sets of photos inspired me to think of writing a blog on chimpanzee/caregiver interactions/relationships. But again, time stopped me.

Maybe those topics will be covered someday, however today isn’t that day unfortunately.

And thank you to everyone that joined us during last nights online gathering for Comfort & Joy! If you couldn’t make it, you can watch the event on YouTube. And if you thought that was the end of the auction, it’s not! You still have time to bid on your favorite items until November 18th!

The Queen Has Spoken

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Initially, I had today’s blog all planned out in my head. I was going to write about food peering, a behavior where a chimpanzee stares intensely at the food another is eating in hopes of that individual sending some their way. I was inspired to write about such topic based on this photo I got yesterday of Willy B food peering at Honey B for her coconut.

However, as I went to take some photos during lunch service, Negra had other plans for her subject. During lunch, Negra had me stand at the corner and rub her back during the whole lunch service plus some. And to clarify, by “rubbing her back” I mean with one of our approved safe physical contact methods called Knuckle Rub.

That coupled with a biweekly staff meeting, I was not able to have enough time to write out a lengthy blog or get photos of some food peering. The Queen has spoken and I, her dutiful servant, must oblige.

Here are the very few photos I was able to get today:

Foxie and Negra giving each other a kiss during dinner

Cy watching Willy B, Rayne, Terry, Gordo, and Lucky out on the Bray

Both Rayne and Gordo were able to find some coconut husks leftover from yesterday’s celebration

And a photo of the thunderstorm that was rolling in, though it quickly dissipated

Lastly, we added a whole bunch of things to our Wish List ranging from masks for caregivers to keep the chimpanzees safe from human pathogens, two-way radios for staff and volunteers who work in the Chimp House, and new enrichment items for our residents! If you are able and willing to, please take a look at the items needed to help maintain our quality care of these magnificent beings. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Burrito Takes Over The Live Stream

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Today, we let you all watch one of the most exciting events that takes place at the sanctuary every day: lunch.

For those of you who were busy during the live stream or were unable to connect via Facebook, you can watch the recording here. (Unfortunately, it’s not possible to embed Facebook videos directly into the blog post.)

Despite some early technical obstacles, I was eventually able to broadcast a live feed that showed the Seven foraging on Young’s Hill, their outdoor enclosure. I then brought my phone to the Greenhouse so that the chimpanzees could join in on the chat. Burrito, of course, was interested in playing chase and seemed intrigued by the Facebook video being sent to all of you from the palm of my hand. As usual, he stole the show.

It was great to see so many viewers join in on the broadcast, despite the short notice and connection troubles. I tried to answer some questions during the stream while Diana typed out additional responses from the sanctuary’s office. I wasn’t expecting so much engagement (170+ comments in 24 minutes!), so I will do my best to address any additional inquiries throughout the day.

Thank you all for your patience, interest, and support!

Here are some still photographs to accompany the today’s events.

Annie:

Negra:

Honey B:

Burrito:

The Neighbor’s Horses:

And, finally, an intimate moment shared between Honey (one of our resident cattle) and one of the neighboring mares:

 

YOUR favorite blog posts

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The staff has shared some of their favorite blog posts of the last 2.5 years.

Now here is the compiled list of readers’ favorites:

Let it snow 12/13/2008 – the chimps’ first snow storm. The video was shared on King5 TV in Seattle and brought in some terrific supporters who remain today

Success 8/26/2008 – our announcement that the chimps were outside for the first time

A new doll for Foxie 10/27/2010 – quoting Elizabeth (even though she specifically says not to in the post), this video shows Foxie’s “ritualistic adoration behavior” with her troll dolls

Cowgirl Jamie 9/20/2010 – when Jamie managed to get her opposable toe into an extra-wide boot

Jamie keeps us guessing and Foxie keeps growing 9/22/2008 – video of Jamie going through a purse and using each thing she finds, including a nail file

The thinker… 12/26/2010 – a recent photo of Jamie in the hand chair, examining her hand

Jamie’s boots 11/4/2010 – Jamie enjoying some new boots and looking through a boot catalog

Easter Party 4/12/2009 and And the party continues 4/13/2009 – video and a photo of Burrito and his coconut

Foxie and the giant troll 10/4/2009 – Foxie being a mom to a big troll doll

Tutu retrospective 10/9/2009 – Jamie during her tutu phase (don’t forget to read Chimpanzees wearing clothes about our decision to share photos of the chimps when they choose to wear clothing).

Mail call 10/7/2009 – Jamie opening up the returned auction invites

Playful bunch of chimps 5/14/2010 – a staff favorite too – Negra really wins people over

Old ladies playing 7/3/2008 – another staff favorite  with Negra being playful

Young’s Hill and Out of the Box 8/19/2010 – video announcing Young’s Hill, our 2-acre expansion project

Way, way Out of the Box 10/3/2010 – letting everyone know about the success of the Out of the Box auction!

Foxie and her adorable toes 2/13/2010 – Foxie expressing herself with her toes

Nest grunts 10/11/2010 – video/audio of the chimpanzees saying goodnight

Conflict 7/27/2009 – photos and description of the chimpanzees having a disagreement, it explains chimpanzee social dynamics and fear facial expressions a bit

And the list below is from one person – Julie Harding, who went back just one year and selected these favorites (those that were duplicated above weren’t included in the list):

Laughter 10/20/2009 – Foxie and Jamie wrestling and laughing

Smiling 10/29/2009 – an explanation of the difference between human and chimp smiles

Negra’s son Noah 1/14/2010 – a photo of Noah who lives at Save the chimps & who Jennifer and James Douglas sponsored his migration from New Mexico to Florida

Mother’s Day party 5/9/2010 – photos of the party, the volunteers (including Julie and her daughter Sarah) and the great party food

Chimpanzees still in labs 5/13/2010 – information about the Great Ape Protection Act

Foxie’s new baby 5/20/2010 – Foxie and a baby doll (not a troll doll!) – a gift from Tamela

We’ve Come a Long Way Baby! 5/27/10 – the garden and landscaping, thanks to Dakotta of Sustainable Landscaping, Cloudview Ecofarms, and Jackie, J.B. & Denice

Burrtio and Sarah Play 6/4/2010 – a happy Mr. B playing with Sarah

Jamie Then and Now 6/8/2010 – photos contrasting Jamie’s appearance the day she arrived at the sanctuary with two years later

Negra Moments 6/13/2010 – caregivers’ favorite Negra moments or favorite aspects of her personality

Bounty of Trolls 7/6/10 – photos of Foxie with a ridiculous number of troll dolls

Senator Cantwell introduces GAPA companion bill 8/3/2010 – good news and links for more info about the bill

How to Nest by Jody and Missy 8/17/2010 – a photo montage of Jody and Missy nesting (this was one of my favorite posts to write)

Grooming 8/31/2010 – photos of Annie and Missy grooming and explanation of chimpanzee grooming

Today in Memory of Marilyn Goodrich 9/12/2010 – photo of hands and feet

It’s harvest time! 9/21/2010 – the garden’s goodness

HALLOWEEN 10/31/2010

Negra’s daughter Heidi 11/19/10 – a photo of Heidi, Negra’s daughter, who is at the Alamogordo Primate Facility

Thanks for sharing, everyone!

1,000 Blog Posts

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This is post #1,000 on our blog!

All of the caregivers, like many of you, are completely addicted to the blog. We look forward to finding out what has happened in the chimp house on the days when we’re not there and we often watch videos over and over (and over). Even though we see the chimps in person pretty often, we still learn new things from posts by other staff members. And we LOVE sharing the amazing Cle Elum Seven with you.

I asked the staff caregivers to pick their own favorite blog posts. It was a serious challenge, but here are the staff favorites, with the caveat that these are the posts that jumped to mind. Each time I’m reminded of a past post, invariable I think, “oh, yeah – THAT’s my favorite!”

Next, I’ll compile all of YOUR favorite posts. Let me know your favorite if you haven’t already by just commenting on this post.

J.B. (Director of Operations) Favorite Posts:

Old ladies playing 7/3/2008
I think this was the first time we saw Negra play at the sanctuary. It makes me happy to see her so happy.

Missy and the Kong toy 8/28/2010
Because Missy cracks me up.

Jackie (Development Coordinator) Favorite Posts:

Playful bunch of chimps 5/14/2010
This was on a day that I was here alone and Negra started playing tug of war and letting me tickle her back while she head nodded– it was so special and I had no one to share it with.  Then J.B. came by and I was able to film him playing with her for the first time.  Very special day.

Oh Neggie 5/21/2010
A week later and it was filmed outside, so it may be a better video.

Through the Looking Glass 11/29/09
It was right after we had given them the glass window and maybe the first time they figured out they could play with us through there (or at least the first time on the blog) and all the different things we could do through it.

Elizabeth (Volunteer Coordinator) Favorite Posts:

Great way to start the day 9/25/10
I love this video because what J.B. said is true.  No matter how tired I am in the morning or how much trouble I had getting out of bed, it’s guaranteed that as soon as the door is opened, one of the chimps will make me smile.  I love all of the milestone videos/blog posts as well, of course, but this one is true to my everyday experience as a caregiver

Me – Diana (Director of Outreach) Favorite Posts:

For all you Negra fans 3/20/2010
I am motivated to do a lot of my work just thinking about Negra – what she’s been through and the new life that we are able to provide her with now (like the greenhouse). Knowing that she has other fans out there makes me so happy.  I also just love that Missy can bring out the silly in people. The way she stuck her feet out to be bitten by Negra is such a classic Missy move. The last photo of Negra 100% relaxed is one of my favorites.

The Party Police 9/24/2010
This video cracks me up every time I watch it, and I’ve watched it many times. Missy and Foxie’s reaction to Jamie makes me laugh just to think about it – I don’t even have to be watching the video. I love that everything is going on without the chimps taking note that they’re being filmed too.

Exciting Foxie stories 6/17/2009
I don’t generally believe in the supernatural, but that day was magical. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Sarah (Executive Director) Favorite Posts:

Negra thanks you 1/8/2010
I love the before and after posts – makes me so proud to be a part of the team helping them recover.

Full of beans 12/31/2010
Jody running!

2010 Reflections

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We staff caregivers (plus volunteer Denice, who works at the chimp house twice a week) all have so many favorite moments of 2010.

We have many other volunteer caregivers and supporters who add so much to the lives of the chimps. I encourage anyone to feel free to add your thoughts on 2010.

And in a couple of days we’ll do some more reflection (see post below) with our 1,000th blog post!

Best moments of 2010:

  • (from Sarah): When Burrito decided I was an acceptable playmate. Maybe it’s because that day was captured in photos, but I look back on that play session as one of my happiest moments with the chimps this year.
  • All of the amazing things that Jamie does – using tools, inventing new forms of locomotion and generally out-smarting us
  • The fabulous success of the auction – being in a huge room where everyone is in love with the chimps and willing to put their money where their love is – that’s so overwhelmingly powerful.
  • Watching Negra play chase.  So sweet!
  • Annie letting her guard down and playing with caregivers
  • Jamie sharing her night bag with Foxie
  • Every time Missy spots a caregiver from a distance and then just takes off, knowing that we’ll start playing a game of chase
  • Jody’s pure enjoyment of the grape wine vines – for eating and nesting
  • Realizing that Young’s Hill was really going to happen
  • Installing the chimp-proof glass windows (thanks to blog readers, LUSH, and anniversary fundraising donors!) and discovering the added enrichment of the windowsills
  • (from J.B.): We built the greenhouse without knowing how well it was going to work and we weren’t sure how the chimps would react to it, but on the first day that the greenhouse was open, Negra went right outside, built a big nest on the bench and stayed out there all day.
  • (from Denice): just yesterday, while serving the chimps breakfast in the front rooms, J.B. opened the door in the human hallway, letting in a big blast of fog. Jody saw it coming and lunged backward, then threat barked. When that didn’t do anything, she flailed her arms at it.


Biggest changes we’ve witnessed in 2010:

  • Negra playing tug-of-war and chase with humans and playing more with the other chimps
  • Burrito becoming comfortable in the greenhouse
  • Burrito brachiating
  • Annie becoming more confident and interacting more with caregivers
  • Foxie starting to touch enrichment other than troll dolls, including blankets which she’s beginning to use for nesting

I really can’t believe how far we’ve come as an organization and all of the changes that we continue to see in the chimpanzees. We ended 2010 ahead of our financial goals – that’s big news for such a young organization. I never thought we would be this far ahead and embarking on a major expansion – Young’s Hill – with just 2.5 years behind us. Every day I am in awe of everyone involved. The sanctuary, the chimps and the supporters that they attract have made me more optimistic than I’ve probably ever been. We all see big, big things for the future of the sanctuary and the future of chimpanzees in captivity.

As far as changes we’ve seen in 2010, I wanted to expand a little bit on Burrito brachiating and Annie gaining confidence.

The weird thing about Burrito’s new-found chimpness is that we didn’t particularly take note that he wasn’t brachiating until he started doing it. He’s an interesting guy. The way he seems to work is on a switch mechanism – he was really wary of the greenhouse for a while, until one day the switch turned on, and from that day forward he acted like being out there was no big deal. And he didn’t brachiate at all until one day the switch turned on, and all of the sudden he was brachiating regularly, as though he’d been doing it since day one.

Annie, on the other hand, is more of a gradual changer. In the past, she had rarely interacted with her human caregivers, except to greet J.B. in a very exaggerated fashion or to ask us for grass – NOW, please. And this is just fine. We don’t need her to interact with us if she chooses to ignore us. It’s up to her. Ideally, her social needs are met by the other chimpanzees. This year, though, especially within the last few months, she began slowly adding more interactions with us humans to her repertoire. First it was tickling the backs of our hands with her long nails, usually while she looked in the other direction. Then actual playing, eye contact, and even the occasional game of chase – with us jogging on one side of the fencing and her on the other. More recently, I’ve shared excited panting with her during the presentation of food. It might sound like a small thing, but it was huge for me to share that with her. Perhaps she’s seeing us differently now, trusting us more and accepting our friendship. Annie’s confidence and level of comfort seems to have also extended to her interactions with the other chimps. She’s much less anxious during meals and more likely to stand her ground if another chimp is eyeing her food. She still clearly adores Missy, but she seems to be less dependent upon Missy’s constant presence and her approval. I think Annie is the one to watch for the biggest changes overall since her arrival. Watching her transform this year has been a lesson in how much a (chimp) person’s environment can affect behavior.

Happy New Year, everyone!