Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

chimp enrichment

The Eve of Burrito

by 25 Comments

It was a normal day within all the CSNW Chimp House,

The chimps were grooming, while caregivers tidied the house.

But there was one person who just couldn’t sit still.

He wanted to play and laugh until his heart was filled.

The sounds of kicks and Bronx cheers grew ever so loud,

Should I abandon my duties? Is this even allowed?

I looked to my staff with a quizzical stare,

“I must keep cleaning, but he does not care!”

“Go! He is requesting you! But be sure you stretch! 

For he will run you tired, and an ambulance we might fetch!

He deserves everything his heart would ever desire,

But be cautious, or he will make your body retire!”

And within a flash we were off to the races,

With giggles and laughter, even play faces.

Out the gate and through the snow,

I trudged my way up my steep uphill foe.

I gathered my breath and prepared to run,

While his face seemed to scream, “This will be so much fun!”

My muscles were burning and as I was gasping,

I thought about lying down and just collapsing.

After not once, twice, but thrice around the snowy hill,

We returned to the Greenhouse to continue to play still.

I wished for a break in such long play session,

But none was granted by his absolute obsession.

“Buddy, let’s take it easy today, for there is much more in store,

Tomorrow is your big day, and we will play even more.

There will be treats and snow for the whole fam,

Why, I even heard there may even be a Pasta Cam.

“2020 was just a doozy of a year,

You survived a fight, procedures, and even a rattlesnake scare.

You pulled through, and inspired us all.

Staff, volunteers, interns, and donors big and small. 

“It was you who got us all through this pandemic,

Your joyous laughter, and foot stomps that were seismic.

We hope you have the best of days tomorrow,

Because it was you who helped us through the pandemic sorrow.”

“Happy Birthday, Burrito!” The world will all scream.

You are one of the chimpanzees of our dreams.

So have a good night, and sleep real tight,

Because tomorrow, we will celebrate you with no end in sight.

A Wintry Mix of This and That

by 6 Comments

For those in more mild climates free of cold winter weather, when the forecast calls for a wintry mix, you can expect a little rain, a little snow, a little sleet, a little bit of everything. A little of this and a little of that.

For most of the day, there was rain, though it was more of a drizzle. While tonight calls for some slight snow before it turns to rain again. Though the chimpanzees had access to go outside, everybody felt it better to stay indoors with weather like this. For them, it was a good day to wrap themselves up in blankets and nap.

Willy B felt this was the most optimal course of action for the majority of the day.

While I was taking photos of Willy B, it almost felt like he was modeling different takes for me, which if you know Willy B, he likes to review the photos of himself.

He soon climbed down to take a look.

While he napped, Honey B and Mave groomed.

Before the napping and grooming sessions commenced, they were treated with firehose cubes in the afternoon.

Maybe their excitement over one of their favorite food puzzles put them in a relaxing mood afterward.

While the Seven stayed indoors all day today to avoid walking in the remaining snow and mud, they also felt today called for naps and resting.

Negra was fully onboard with this plan.

Though today was a day of relaxing and staying warm indoors, we just can never truly know what each day will bring and what choices they will make.

Though yesterday had similar conditions minus the rain, the Seven were dashing around the hill, climbing structures, and collecting snow.

Annie was really into her snowy treats yesterday and made several trips outside to grab some of the nearest snow.

Foxie decided she had to try to find some of the further reaching patches left on the structures.

While Foxie had a purpose of collecting snow on the structures, Jamie climbed from structure-to-structure just because she could.

After climbing most of the structures, she returned piloerect, possibly because of the chill factor outside or because she was happy and satisfied with her winter adventure.

Days like these are possible due to our followers and donors who help us care for these 10 unique individuals and to provide them with fun and interesting activities.

This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Marcus Andrews. Thank you so much, Marcus. With your generous gift, you made it possible for us to provide the warmest blankets, fun enrichment, and good meals on a wintry mix of a day.

There are many ways to help support the chimpanzees and cattle who call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest home. You can become a Chimpanzee Pal to one of the chimpanzees, a Bovine Buddy to one of the cattle, a Produce Patron who helps us provide the freshest of foods, or Sponsor-a-Day of sanctuary like Marcus. These forms of support help us provide a comfortable lifestyle for these individuals who haven’t had the most comfortable life before being brought to sanctuary.

Christmas Party Bonus Photos

by 10 Comments

We took hundreds of photos during the various parties yesterday, no exaggeration. I combed through them today and selected a few I just had share.

Burrito unwrapped one of the many gifts and decided to wear the raffia ribbon for a while.

Then he donned a new leopard print scarf

The tree in the greenhouse was a real treasure this year and produced quite a lot of enjoyment.

Negra:

 

Annie:

Missy mastered the tree and got the most out of it until the very end when she toppled it over (see video from yesterday).

Look at that tangerine hidden way in the depths of the the tree!

Jody enjoying the fruits of her tree-scavenging labor:

There were several spots in the greenhouse that were dusted with coconut. Here’s Annie collecting some:

and Negra:

and I’ll end with this photo of Burrito, in awe of Christmas, with coconut dust on his lips:

for even more warm holiday cheer, check out our Instagram account to see a short clip of Mave’s Christmas nest. Happy Boxing Day, everyone!

The Forest for the Trees

by 7 Comments

It’s been a busy week at the sanctuary, but that’s not stopping us from feeling a little bit of holiday cheer.

For the most part, the holidays don’t interrupt our operations. First and foremost, the chimps need the same amount of specialized care that they always do. Additionally, the ongoing construction of new chimpanzee areas will continue right up to Christmas and is set to resume immediately after. Since the electrical work that Anna mentioned last week is still in progress, the seven chimps living on that side of the building have been somewhat inconvenienced. For the past few days, they have had to hang out in the heated Greenhouse and cozy front rooms while the larger playroom is unavailable.

That hasn’t seemed to bother them too much, though. They have ample enrichment puzzles, nesting materials, views of the contractors, human caregivers to socialize with, and each other’s company.

Burrito
Burrito (and the Holiday Tree!)

Jamie seems to enjoy watching the electricians. Although she can’t see their faces because of their masks, Jamie nodded approvingly at their footwear today. The guys seemed proud when I told them The Boss was pleased.

Jamie

Fortunately, the first days of winter have been relatively warm and consistently clear, so the chimps have also felt comfortable making frequent excursions outdoors. The amazing weather convinced us to spread forages on Young’s Hill both Saturday and Sunday, but they seem to be motivated by other factors in the days since. Maybe they want to survey the land and spy on the neighbors, or perhaps they’re just looking for some recreation. Either way, it’s nice to see them using the large outdoor enclosure this late in the year. I took the following photos during Sunday’s special activities and today’s regular patrols.

Jamie (front) and Burrito (back)
Annie
Foxie
Foxie
Foxie
Annie
Missy
Jody
Jamie
Negra

Foxie, in particular, seems to value her time outdoors. Based on her tendency to wander off from the others, I’d guess that she enjoys the brief periods of solitude.

Foxie on “The Escher” structure
Foxie atop “Neggie’s Cabin”

Of course, she may just be taking in those sweet views of the surrounding pastures, forests, and snow-covered mountains.

Foxie

A Handful of Ingenuity and A Splash of Imagination

by 14 Comments

As Diana mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Missy and Honey B are remarkably similar in many ways, while also uniquely different as Katelyn mentioned.

To add on to this growing list, they both show a knack for ingenuity for their enrichment items. It’s hard to be certain, and I would be questioned to no end by the scientific community, but I would go to say this requires at least some hint of imagination. (Though recently more researchers have been becoming more open to the idea of imagination in chimpanzees with the case of young chimpanzees carrying around and playing with sticks as if they were dolls in the wild.)

As you may know, Honey B shows her skills by using a different tool to master her PVC Tube food puzzle. And her mom, Missy, also shows some very unique ways to master her food puzzles. But what about after?

Most of the other residents are usually move on after they are done with an enrichment item. For Honey B though, these items just become a part of her fort-nest. Honey B is known to make these elaborate forts with anything she can find, usually blankets, toys, and used enrichment items. The other day, we found this in the Mezzanine.

(For some reason, a certain scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail came to mind when I saw this.)

Though Mave also has a knack to fort build as well, she is a little more particular on which items she uses. Most notably blankets and the cube chairs almost exclusively, though she may add some other things from time-to-time when she feels like it. Mave’s forts are also not as elaborate as Honey B’s forts.

It also could be that Honey B has been watching the construction workers build and felt like building something of her own.

However, Honey B has been building these “structures” long before their arrival.

Over on the other side, Missy is know to wear socks occasionally when she is in a very playful mood. But the following morning after the Seven were given Firehose Knots as an evening puzzle, Missy was seen with hers still in hand. She was carrying her pieces of firehose around while wearing an avocado sock I might add. After about 30 minutes or so, I witnessed her stuffing the firehose into the sock, which she proceeded to carrying around with her. I tried to find the past blogs of Missy holding a blanket down from the loft towards Annie and playing keep away with it, but I was unsuccessful. So you have to imagine her playing that game but with this instead of a blanket.

They both are remarkable in finding other uses of used enrichment items and to breath new life into them. And as one caregiver mentioned after seeing the above photo, “Maybe Missy is preparing some Christmas stockings” for their upcoming celebration.

Speaking of Christmas, thank you to all of you who have donated items from our Amazon Wishlist for their celebration! Your donations will help us try to throw a great celebration for them this year!

But did you know there are still some other items on the list!?

*Gasp*

You can still donate some of the items on the list to help us make this celebration special, but there are other items which helps us continue our day-to-day operations and ensure the residents’ home remains clean!

Just a Couple of Wishes

by 17 Comments

What a week! Sunday was weird, Monday was better, and Tuesday and Wednesday were both busy and fun. It’s been another busy day of construction projects, produce shopping and delivery, routine cleaning and caregiving, and planning for the winter holiday season.

Speaking of which, we’d love if you all took a moment to consider purchasing something off of our holiday Wish List! Outreach Coordinator Kelsi curates the list and has added some special items. The additions include a new skateboard for Honey B, books for Jamie, fleece blankets for all the chimps, and hardware that will help us to furnish the new playrooms.

If the item you hope to donate is already purchased, there are always items such as dietary supplements, storage totes, cleaning products and office supplies that are equally important! I can’t speak for the other staff, but I get pretty stoked when people donate mundane items like wet erase markers and refills for the label printer. If you feel like making my day (or contributing to the welfare of the chimps), you can access the list directly by clicking here.

Additionally, we caregivers have two primary wishes that are not Prime items but are equally tangible: for all chimpanzees to reach their sanctuary homes and for all the sanctuary’s residents to stay happy and healthy.

Of course, this wish also applies to the bovines. As Katelyn mentioned on Monday, Meredith looked much better than the day before and her check-up went well, so we’re not too concerned but are still taking precautions.

To facilitate the health exam, we shifted the cattle into the Bud Box and then isolated Meredith in the narrow chute. Dr. Erin plays the role of “quarterback” during veterinary exams, managing the team and doing the specialized tasks that require her expertise. In this case, J.B. and I served as her assistants (and Chad also helped on a couple of occasions by promptly running some supplies up from the sanctuary’s vet clinic).

J.B. holds Meredith’s halter.
Erin listens to the activity in Meredith’s rumen.
Nutmeg sniffs the veterinary kit.

 

Frost covers the pasture and surrounding forests.
Meredith’s mother, Honey, watches attentively.

In summary, Dr. Erin did a full visual inspection, palpated and listened to Meredith’s gut, tested her reflexes and responses, collected blood and fecal samples for diagnostics, and used the opportunity to administer some preventative antibiotics. We then let Meredith back out with the herd and monitored her for further discomfort or difficulties.

Meredith peeks around the barn.

Since then, we’ve been frequently visiting the barn to check on Meredith and give her supplements. These include minerals, probiotics, electrolytes and anti-inflammatory meds. Surprisingly, though, Merry looks fantastic. She’s eating heartily, breathing normally, moving with the herd and laying down in the straw bedding at night. As happy as we are with this improvement, it makes her Sunday troubles even more mysterious. Dr. Erin and the staff are working to rule out some possibilities, but our initial diagnosis of “ain’t doin’ right” currently still stands. This whole thing loosely feels like a low-budget episode of House, M.D. where the team wears Carrhart overalls instead of lab coats.

The best part of the exam, however, was this series of opportunistic portraits that depicts Nutmeg showing affection for his mother, Betsy…

…to the point of being mildly annoying.

P.S. I took all of these photos with the new mirrorless camera and an 85mm portrait lens. A generous supporter purchased both of these items for us via the same Wish List I mentioned above. Consider it further evidence that your contributions help us to do our jobs!

 

PPE: Projects, Play, & Enrichment

by 5 Comments

As mentioned on Sunday, there were a couple of mechanical issues that need to be fixed. When there is an upcoming project to take place, we as caregivers try plan the day out to ensure the projects can be finished in a safe manner, while not impeding on the residents’ daily activities too much. With so much going on during days like today, it can be somewhat difficult trying to take photos and develop a blog. So when the projects were completed, I was running around trying to salvage what time I had left in the day to at least get some photos. As the minutes kept ticking away, I may have started to panic a little bit. I almost decided to give up and just post whatever crummy photos I was able to get and call it a day. Then Honey B happened.

As I was still trying to get photos, I found Honey B, who immediately wanted to groom. As she was plucking rocks from the bottom of my boots, Mave made her way up to the Mezzanine. She began hooting, started to become piloerect, and was working herself up for a display. Honey B stopped grooming and started playing with me. I can’t confirm this, but it sounded like she exaggerated her laughs so Mave could hear. As Mave continued to build up her display, Honey B finally walked over to her with a play face, grabbed her foot, and raced away laughing. Mave’s hair was soon no longer on end and she raced after Honey B, playing a game of foot grab along the way. The game then evolved into a wrestling and tickling match. Here are a few of the photos captured with faces visible within a cloud of fur and laughter.

Earlier, Mave, Honey B, and Willy B were also treated to one of their favorite food puzzles: firehose cubes. When they first caught sight of the cubes, there was a chorus of pant hoots, food grunts, games of chase, and excitement that followed.

 

 

Unfortunately, Honey B grabbed hers and headed down stairs, so I was not able to get any photos of her.

Now that the day is over, Willy B is ready for bed with his favorite cheetah print blanket!

WP Feedback

Dive straight into the feedback!
Login below and you can start commenting using your own user instantly