Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Burrito

Here for the Party

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Today we had a tea party. Everyday there is a different themed enrichment day just to make sure we are shaking things up! As you can see on our March daytime enrichment calendar there is always something new or fun going on. For really popular themes we might do them more than once because the chimps really enjoy it!

Though the party was for everyone to enjoy, Jamie thought it was her tea party. As you can see Missy came to join Jamie and Jamie discretely pulled the tea party away:


Burrito foraged for tea, lettuce, and big nuts:

We stuck a few nuts in the window for an added challenge for Jamie:

The sun came out and the chimps spent some time in the Greenhouse!

Jamie in the cargo net:

Negra:

Missy:

Jody:

This photo is blurry, but you can see Missy and Burrito wrestling on the top platform in the Green House:

Later, I found Annie and Missy napping and grooming:


In the afternoon it was pretty quiet in the Chimp House. So, I went to check on the chimps. I found Jamie laying in a nest incorporated with boots and a big barrel. She was cleaning a troll toy and enjoying some peace and quiet so I snapped a photo and quickly left.

Adult Chimpanzees Don’t Play

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I once learned in a primate behavior class that adult chimps don’t tend to play much unless they’re playing with juveniles. Clearly, nobody gave the Cle Elum Seven the news. These are a few of my favorite play videos:

Today is for Arlene

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Michael sponsored this special, lovely day of sanctuary in honor of his wife, Arlene, to wish her  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Michael and Arlene, thank you so much for always holding the chimpanzees in your hearts and for celebrating, and contributing to, the myriad of ways love is present in each of their lives. We’re so very fortunate to have you as part of our chimp family. Have a beautiful day!

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:

Jody and Missy:

Jamie:

Annie and Missy:

Burrito and Negra:

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:

Burrito smooches:

Mischief

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Today we got a break from Snowpocalypse 2019 with some lovely blue sky and sunshine at the sanctuary. When it starts to warm up around here, the snow comes cascading off the roof of the building in big sheets to keep us busy digging out our sidewalks. We are on just the edge of this weather, with the snow just starting to creep over the eaves in a menacing fashion. The main part of the building gets an amazing build up of delicious icicles:

The chimps have been playful since early this morning, running around and engaging their caregivers and each other in games of chase. It’s always a delight to start your day with everyone around you in a cheerful mood.

This morning I opened the door to Young’s Hill. As I walked down the greenhouse steps that lead back toward the main chimp house building, Burrito playfully kicked the plastic covered caging next to me. He likes to start games of chase this way. Having the element of surprise (the plastic makes it hard see him coming) must be pretty satisfying.

As an added bonus to this morning’s game, I also got covered in a waterfall of fresh powdery snow. The force of Burrito’s strong kick managed to knock a stream of (fortunately) soft snow loose off the greenhouse roof. The snow shower may have been an unintended consequence of his game, but either way, well played Mr. B!

Not Your Typical Monday

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Today was not your typical Chimp House day. I had to do some door maintenance, which meant the chimps could only have access to certain areas at a time. Let’s just say that they (Jamie) were not the happiest about their schedule being off. Jamie kept herself busy surveying mostly me but also anyone else who stepped out of line, I mean isn’t that her job! However, we have amazing volunteers here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest who busted their behinds to clean the enclosures fast so the chimps could go back to their normal routine! And don’t worry we also made sure these chimps were preoccupied with lots of enrichment! Once the chimps received access to all of their enclosures they spent their snowy day nesting and grooming, especially Jamie – she was wiped!

The lovely Negra:

Jamie insisted on getting her magazine back from the playroom to pick up where she left off:

Someone left some steamy footprints:

Burrito quietly played with a scarf in the corner of Front Room 4:

 

 

Happy Birthday, Sherry!

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A lovely friend of the sanctuary, Sherry Berman, sponsored today with this special message:

“I finished the book, “The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary” and stumbled upon CSNW. I had 3 surgeries and was house bound for 1.5 years. Seeing the fab 7 daily was one of the highlights of my long days. It has been years now and I do not miss a day of following the 7, especially my lovie, Mr. B. So happy to be able to support the chimps and the humans that take care of them. So, I want to share my birthday with Annie, Missy, Foxie, Negra, Jody, Jamie and Burrito. Love to the chimps and the humans who care for them.” 

Happy Birthday, Sherry! Thank you so much for sharing your joy with the chimpanzees, and us all! A beautiful full circle. All of us here are wishing you the most wonderful day of with all that you most love (in which case, Burrito probably hopes there is a lot of food involved). 🙂

Burrito: