Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Burrito

All Day Shenanigans

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Today has been nothing short of goofy here in the chimp house.

This morning, after cleaning the playroom, we put out giant kongs for Burrito and his group. Giant kongs have always been a favorite of Burrito’s and it never gets old watching him drag them along, bounce or sit on them, or just be generally silly as he plays with them! Today was no exception and it made us all smile.

This afternoon, as we wrapped up lunch, Chad mentioned that Honey B and Dora were having a great play session in the front rooms. We could see them in the security footage and hear them breathy panting, so I snuck in to try and get footage! Honey B has a big, fierce personality and I think it’s safe to say that we are all super proud of her and the bonds she’s making in the bigger group. It was really sweet to watch her have so much fun with Dora and they played for a lot of the afternoon!

Every moment with the chimps is special, but seeing them engaged with something (or someone) that makes them so happy is the best feeling. And when these moments last all day, then it’s just a really darn good day. 🙂

Burrito had a mini photo shoot with one of the giant kongs this morning:

Cy looking as handsome as ever in the Riverview Greenhouse:

Foxie with her baby doll:

Terry watching something over my shoulder very intently, or just giving me a great portrait shot. Either way:

Burrito’s Ball

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A few days ago, Grace posted a blog about Burrito having the time of his life with a scooter. In true Burrito fashion, he’s always up to something new and being silly. With that said, yesterday, I caught Burrito playing with an orange ball, which typically is ignored by him and his group members. Watching Burrito play and have fun is always one of my favorite things, as I’m sure it is all of yours too.

Today, it’s been quite warm, although nothing compared to last June’s high temperatures, so we put out some ice blocks for Jamie’s group. I’ve never seen Jamie so excited. She practically screamed when she saw me bring them out. Her enthusiasm didn’t stop for at least an hour. All six of the chimps took turns with the 3 blocks we put out. You will even see Missy in the video walk away with one, which she took up for her and Annie. Such a good friend!

Today is the last day to vote for us as the Best Nonprofit In the PNW! We’re listed under Services -> Nonprofits, so be sure to vote before midnight tonight. Vote here!

Big Day on the Bray

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Today was a big stepping stone for all the residents at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. We felt that all the chimps on both sides of the building were ready to be out in their respective outdoor areas at the same time. For those who may not be familiar, Foxie’s group has a two acre outdoor habitat called Young’s Hill and Rayne’s group has a newly built outdoor habitat called The Bray. These areas are two separate spaces where the chimps can go outside as they please all day and when they look up there are no bars above their heads. We had been alternating access until Rayne’s group seemed comfortable outside and had a good understanding of the double electric fence. Until today!! In unknown situations we often plan in case something turns into an emergency, but we really just anticipate that there may be a lot of yelling back and forth or displaying and we just hoped for the most anticlimactic scenario, which luckily for us, it was sooo anticlimactic. Both groups were so calm and seemed to act like they have been doing this all along. What were we so worried about?! However, just because it was calm didn’t mean they didn’t interact or notice each other!

Gordo seemed to be mesmerized by Foxie, obviously, look at her! He was a little pilo and couldn’t take his eyes off her. And that cute little Foxie was just confidently strutting her stuff around Young’s Hill. Foxie was so brave, not a hair standing on end, she was even going for a perimeter walk on her own for a bit which Gordo seemed to be kind of following her from the Bray. We weren’t sure Willy B was even paying attention enough to notice Jamie’s group had access to Young’s Hill, but maybe 7 to 10 minutes later he spotted Jamie and was mesmerized, just like Gordo! Willy B was even venturing out onto the grass to get a better look, but Jamie was playing it cool and pretending she didn’t notice. Honestly, it was great to see both groups out foraging and not reacting to each other! Obviously, every day will be different with different reactions, but this was a great way to start!

Gordo watching the neighbors, specifically Foxie from afar:

Willy B realizing Jamie is on Young’s Hill:

Jamie foraging on Young’s Hill and pretending not to notice Willy B:

Terry and Rayne foraging on the Bray and spying on Jamie’s group:

Rayne:

Terry on Esher for a better view:

Cy could not be bothered, he was just enjoying the forage:

I will leave you with Bubba <3:

If You Give Burrito a Skateboard…

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We talk a lot on the blog about sweet and silly Burrito and all the antics he gets into! Whether it’s playing chase all day, taking us on runs around the hill, or running around with a slinky around his back foot- he often seems to have a bottomless reserve of energy.

Burrito on Negra’s Cabin during today’s lunch forage:

His silly personality and constant energy often makes me forget that he is technically considered geriatric. Burrito was born on January 6th, 1983 in a laboratory where he was used in hepatitis B vaccine research at just one year of age. He was then moved to the Buckshire Corporation where he was kept as a ‘house chimp’ before being leased out to an animal act. A year later, he returned to the laboratory.

His life has not been easy in any way, nor has it been the life he deserved to live in the wild with his family- yet we can rely on him to always make us smile. Even with something as small as a skateboard. Amazing, isn’t he?

Two quick reminders! We have been nominated for the 2023 Best In the PNW Contest. 🙂 Voting goes through the end of the month and you can vote once every day! Please take a moment and vote for us by clicking the link here, if you feel so inclined. CSNW is listed under Services -> Nonprofits.

We are also still working to reach our $30k fundraising goal for this month, as a generous donor pledged to match donations made in June up to $30k in honor of all the big June milestones! We are so close, but haven’t reached it yet- please consider making a donation today to help us reach this goal.

BONUS PHOTOS:

Gordo enjoying time on The Bray this morning:

Rayne also enjoying the morning sunshine on The Bray:

Jamie foraging for strawberries during today’s lunch forage:

“Who saved who?”

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Being a chimpanzee caregiver is exhausting, both physically, mentally, and emotionally. There are many evenings, where after a day at work, I feel like I have nothing more to give, so I engage in some form of self-care, have some dinner, and go to bed. However, with any hard day as a chimpanzee caregiver, there are also 100+ positive, happy ones.  Any time I’m feeling fatigued or exhausted, a quiet or fun moment with any of the chimps is enough to fill my hypothetical “tank” right back up.

I’m so grateful to work with chimps. Every day I work, it reinforces the reason why I chose to work with chimps in the first place. Because they are fun. Every day is something new. I love that.

You know those bumper stickers that say, “My rescue dog saved me” or “Who saved who?” with a paw-print next to it? While us caregivers pour our heart and soul into this job, I feel like it is important to note how much the chimps give us too.

Photos from today!

Burrito:

Foxie:

Missy (and toothpick):

Honey B:

Switching Things Up

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This morning, we decided to switch things up! In our “normal” schedule for sharing outdoor access, Jamie’s group goes out onto Young’s Hill from the time we show up to work until after lunch time (that is if Jamie allows us to close the Hill then). Once we have permission from Jamie and do a head count to ensure everyone is off Young’s Hill, we then allow Cy’s group access onto the Bray. This is a short term schedule until both Cy’s group gets more comfortable with the Bray and Jamie’s group gets more comfortable seeing the group of nine out there. However, the Hill and the Bray are two completely separate areas.

We wanted to experiment trying morning time Bray access for Cy’s group to see if a change in schedule would peak interest in other individuals who haven’t gone out yet. Though Mave, Dora, and Honey B didn’t go out, it was great enrichment for Jamie’s group! I am sure we will try this a few more times, as well as other ideas along the way. But really I think that they just need time. Once Cy’s group was off the Bray we did an early lunch forage for Jamie’s group, which everyone seemed to enjoy, especially Negra!

We have exciting news! We’ve been nominated in The Seattle Times, 2023 Best in the PNW Contest! Help us win this contest by voting today! You can vote once every day through June 30th by clicking here. CSNW is listed under the Services and Nonprofit category.

Negra did pretty well! She got a whole eggplant, sweet potato, and an endive and went straight back to the greenhouse to get cozy in her nest!

Foxie and her blue haired baby:

Burrito and Missy enjoying their forage together:

Missy and Foxie eating tomatoes:

Annie:

Burrito with a whole kohlrabi:

We put out a nut forage on the Bray for a little extra motivation. Willy B was very motivated!

Rayne was also able to score some nuts:

Look at this handsome Cy Guy:

Don’t forget to vote for us!

Good Advice from Burrito & Honey B

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There are times when Burrito and Honey B take themselves very seriously, maybe Honey B more than Burrito these days, but they both have a lightheartedness that is admirable and contagious.

My takeaways from these clips:

Burrito doesn’t need an audience – he can crack himself of up at any moment.

Just look at the delight that Honey B’s friends/family react with when she is showing the jovial side of her personality. Everyone was on board!

It’s a good lesson for all of us.