Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
The celebration continues! Kathleen Kemper also sponsored yesterday in honor of the sanctuary’s five year anniversary! We are thrilled by the overwhelming support and positive comments that have been flooding in. Kathleen, thank you so much for your generosity and for helping us to usher in the beginning of the next five years of sanctuary, and beyond, for these amazing beings.
Burrito is super goofy. He is often sweet and playful with caregivers – he likes to play chase and tug-of-war (though he does also have other sides to his personality). Seeing him play with his friend Foxie is one of the greatest sites to behold. He’s even goofy when he’s found a toy he decides to play with on his own.
Before the chimpanzees came to the sanctuary, Keith, J.B., Sarah, and Diana all met them while they were still in the basement at Buckshire. Read Diana’s first impressions of Burrito from January, 2008.
It’s easy to forget about Burrito’s past when he’s being happy and goofy, and we hope that he doesn’t think about it much either.
Burrito was born at White Sands Research Center on January 6, 1983. His father Mack was the father to many chimpanzees born within the laboratory. At birth, Burrito was immediately taken from his mother, Karen, and placed in the “nursery” at White Sands. He was named “WSRC #67 – Raj” and was used in hepatitis B vaccine safety trials beginning in December 1984, when he not even two years old.
Burrito never had a chance to truly be a chimpanzee before coming to the sanctuary.
On August 1, 1986 Raj was shipped to the Buckshire Corporation in Pennsylvania. He lived as a “house chimp” until February 1987 when his named was changed to Burrito, and he was then leased to an “animal act” with Jungle Larry until February 1988. Then he returned to Buckshire.
We don’t have any records for Burrito beyond that point, so it’s possible that he stayed at Buckshire for the next 20 years. Burrito’s early days were absolutely deprived of the nurturing care and attention chimpanzees need from their mothers to learn the skills to make it in the world. It’s not surprising at all that Burrito never really learned how to be a chimpanzee. At CSNW, the first time he swung across the posts in the outdoor area was so moving. Burrito can now, finally, be a chimpanzee. Watch this video of Burrito brachiating.
Burrito, just a few days after arriving at CSNW:
Burrito and Jody in June 2008:
Burrito has not always displayed the greatest confidence, especially with new things, but with every day that goes by, Burrito confidence grows and his bravery increases. After all Burrito has gone through, our hearts fill with so much pride when we see him displaying his “chimpanzee-ness” like he should have always been free to do.
Burrito on Young’s Hill:
Burrito with Jody, nearly five years in sanctuary:
Celebrate Burrito’s five years in sanctuary: Give Five today!
Today I brought in some new “garden tool” themed enrichment for the chimpanzees so we decided to throw an impromptu garden tea party in the greenhouse this morning. JB and Diana contributed beautiful roses from their garden which the chimps love to smell and eat, and we brewed some berry tea to put out in teacups. And in perfect serendipity, Zibby Wilder, a former board member for the sanctuary (featured in this video of when the chimps first arrived almost five years ago!), came for a visit and just happened to bring fresh grapevines which the chimps were very excited about! Being the only fella at the garden tea party, Burrito had no problem problem joining in to enjoy the treats and he was the perfect gentleman.
Today was sponsored in honor of Eric Jensen whose family shared the following message: “Happy Birthday to an impy chimpy kind of son who we are so proud of. Love, your parents.” What a wonderful way to honor your son on his birthday! Thank you so much for thinking of the chimps. Have a great day, Eric, and lots of pant hoots to you!
There is no denying that Burrito is one of the sweetest guys around. I mean, just look at this face. When he wants to play with us he will often try to pass toys or scarves through the caging for us. The other day he happened to pull up a flower and hand it to me and then offered me a kiss. Now he may or may not have been just grabbing what was in reach, but nevertheless, my heart melted. And there are the raucous games of chase and tug of war. During one particularly spirited game the other day he started laughing so hard he fell over backwards! Which, of course, made me laugh so hard I had tears coming down my face.
But just like all of us, Burrito has many sides to his personality. When we open the door to the chimp area in the morning he typically displays loudly and vigorously, rattling the caging, charging through the playroom clapping, throwing things, and pant hooting at the top of his lungs, getting all the ladies stirred up. He has also been known to bang relentlessly on the caging throughout meal time, and upon occasion, will even try to poke us as we are serving none other than the Boss, Jamie. Mind you, we are the ones who get in trouble from Jamie for this. And with me being one of the newest staff members here at CSNW he also likes to let me know his opinion of my new ability to move and unlock doors. There have been many a morning that as I am opening or closing doors in the chimpanzee areas that he climbs up the caging directly in front of me, bangs, and spits water (with excellent aim I might add) right in my eye. I know, who could believe such stories of this sweet man chimp? But all of this is normal, healthy, male chimpanzee behavior. Burrito is reminding me that this is his home and that just because I have the keys does not mean I am in charge. It means that he feels safe and secure enough to claim this as his territory. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Clearly, there is something super special about the grass in this spot:
Mornings in the chimp house are a flurry of activity. Staff and volunteers clean the chimpanzee enclosures from about 9:00 when we arrive until lunchtime at 1:00. It’s usually not until after the chimpanzees are served lunch that we have a moment to sit down. Except for the coldest part of winter, the chimps typically spend the afternoon between lunch and dinner engaged in some quiet activity in the warm greenhouse (grooming and napping are favorites). This time in the greenhouse is usually so warm and slow and lazy that I often find my eyes getting heavy if I stay too long in there.
I popped my head in after lunch yesterday and Burrito was sitting in a windowsill with a couple of plastic fish toys. I could tell he was feeling low-key because he didn’t jump up into his usual game of chase when he saw me – he merely nodded his head a little and bit on the fishes. (He often bites on something when he’s feeling playful.)
I did get a playface out of him.
After a few minutes he moved over to the deck to get a little more comfortable.
He summoned up just enough energy for a brief game of peekaboo…
…before passing out.
