Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Field Notes: Welcome

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Happy Tuesday, everybody! I just wanted welcome everybody to a new series we will be offering: Field Notes. As the research coordinator here, I try to stay on top of knowing all the different scientific articles released every month in various publications and try to figure if any of the new research can be utilized by us to help our mission to provide lifelong care for rescued chimpanzees.

The goal of this series is kind of twofold. First, we hope that you’ll be able to learn about chimpanzees and the new and exciting behavioral research going on both in the wild and captivity. Second, we hope this will give you just a little insight on how some decisions are made here.

I don’t want to set any expectations for this series, so as of now there is no set schedule on the frequency of this. It could be weekly. It could be bi-weekly. Heck. It could even be monthly. So instead of waiting for it week-to-week, let’s just say it’s a nice little surprise when they make the blog. Plus, the articles are released at the beginning of every month and not every release has chimpanzee related articles.

I’m excited about this series and hope you all are as well! I hope this series serves a purpose for you. I hope you are able to learn something new and gain a better understanding of these amazing people.

Now, here are some photos from Sunday I was able to snap while Cy and crew were enjoying a lunch forage on the Bray:

Cy

Rayne

George

Cool as a cucumber!
Sorry for the blown-out photo. During this forage, I put out some jackpots, usually some whole fruits and veggies. The one I put on the escher escaped everyone, even Rayne’s eagle eyes. Luckily enough, George realized I was trying to communicate something to the passersby. Though it looks like it here, George actually didn’t notice it. I asked him to come down and tried to walk him to a spot where he would see it. I pointed up, he turned around, looked up, and immediately looked back at me with a silent excited scream. Seen below.

George eating his prize apple as he looks upon The Bray!

Photogenic Chimpanzees

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When I arrived at the sanctuary this morning, I was determined to get as many photos as I could before our weekly staff meeting/training began. One, because a lot of you just love seeing photos of the chimps and their daily adventures. Two, because I wanted to prove to myself that I could get as many photos of as many chimps as I could. Granted, as some of you are aware, trying to get photos of some of them is almost impossible because either they come running up and get too close to the caging to get a photo, or they are in those few spots around the sanctuary where it is impossible to get a photo. Looking at you George, Cy, Dora, and Mave.

So please enjoy the product of this self challenge!

Burrito at breakfast:

I had to get these photos using all the sneakiness I could before he came down

Rayne during lunch today:

Gordo doing a little self-grooming:

Willy B also self-grooming:

It’s imperative to watch the neighbors when you’re done grooming

Foxie and Moana go for a walk around Young’s Hill:

Sweet Lucky:

Missy at breakfast:

Terry waiting for a caregiver grooming partner after lunch:

Just noting that I did indeed get photos of Jamie and Annie, but they were a one shot scenario where the photo didn’t come out. Honey B was busy doing Honey B things on the Bray and in the Chute. She was just to fast/busy for me to get a photo. And Negra said no in her own Negra way by burying her face in her nest when the camera was raised. I obey all of the Queen’s demands.

For me, I would consider getting photos of half the chimps today was a success. Maybe in the near future I will try again.

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!