Foxie can always find a willing play partner in her troll dolls.
chimp enrichment
More play communication
Just earlier this week I posted a video I caught of Foxie using exaggerated signals to get Negra to play with her. Today, it was Missy initiating the play with Foxie! And of course, Foxie couldn’t resist.
Play, play, play
Annie and Missy are quite well-known for their excited games of chase and wrestling throughout the chimp house. Negra, however, isn’t always the most likely play partner—and when she does play, she’s got her own speed (kinda slow). This time Negra was keeping up with the experts!
This video is a little longer than some of our others but I thought you wouldn’t want to miss a second of this fun play session. Thanks again to Patty W. for sponsoring today for us and for being Negra’s Pal!
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Permission
The last couple of days we’ve been experiencing some extra snow fall, which means the chimps get to snack on some fresh snow, which they love! Elizabeth and I filled up the chimps’ sandbox with snow and added some troll dolls for some CSNW flair.
Everyone was snacking on the snow, including of course Jamie. Since she is the boss, the other chimps wanted to make sure they were okay to snack on the snow, too. That’s completely natural chimpanzee behavior, and something that is essential to their society. Jamie was fine with the other chimps enjoying the snow, there was plenty to go around, and she wasn’t feeling particularly territorial of it.
When Jody asked for Jamie’s permission, she displayed perfect reassurance behaviors. She approached with a drooped lip, making it clear that she was not being at all aggressive or threatening. Then she reached out toward Jamie as if to say “is it okay if I join?” Jamie didn’t disapprove, so Jody’s next move was to give Jamie a quick kiss on the mouth. Jamie reciprocated and gave Jody permission by giving Jody a kiss back on her brow ridge. Jody then knew it was fine with Jamie that she join in, and immediately started snacking.
Keeping Jamie enriched
One of the biggest challenges of this job is keeping Jamie enriched. The other chimps certainly need enrichment, too, but Jamie in particular requires a lot to keep her engaged. So I’m continually trying to find things that will be enriching for her. Kongs are a good food puzzle for the chimps because we can put nuts, peanut butter, or even mushed banana into the crevices making it tricky to get the treat out.
Recently I discovered these Kong “Genius” toys which connect together, and I thought it seemed perfect for Jamie! Thanks to Carrie M. who ordered a bunch of these Kongs for us off our Amazon wishlist recently, we were able to make several connected Kongs. Jamie of course hoarded many of them, but all the chimps were able to enjoy this puzzle. You’ll hear in the video just how happy Jamie is with all her food groans and grunts.
Speaking of Jamie and of the wishlist, we are in desperate need of a new boot dryer! Ours broke yesterday and as you can imagine we are constantly running the dryers to get Jamie’s boots quickly dry after we wash them. Dry boots makes for a happy Jamie! Both she and I would be forever grateful to anyone that is able to purchase a new one for us. If you do grab anything from the list now or anytime in the future, send me an email at [email protected] so we can be sure to send you a thank you! (UPDATE: Thank you Patrick and Carrie for purchasing the boot dryer for us! The boss will be happy).
Love
Happy Birthday, Stephanie!
Today’s day of sanctuary love was also sponsored by Donna Mensching and Burrito Chimpanzee, in honor of Stephanie Perciful’s birthday!! We suspect Burrito might just include this message for her: “Stephanie, would you “B” my Valentine on your Bday?!”
Stephanie has been a long time volunteer caregiver with Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and has one of the biggest, kindest, most generous hearts of anyone we know so it’s seems only fitting that she was born on Valentine’s Day. Every year Stephanie chooses to spend her birthday throwing a party for the chimpanzees! She enriches the lives of the chimps, and every human and non-human animal she meets, in countless ways and is one of Burrito’s very favorite humans in the world (and one of ours as well!). She just makes the world a better place.
Donna (and Burrito), thank you so much for honoring our dear friend on her birthday in such a sweet and generous way! Stephanie, we could never thank you enough for all you do for the primates of CSNW but we wish you the very happiest of birthdays and a day filled with all the love you deserve!
Of course, there is a huge Valentine’s Day party getting underway for the chimpanzees so be sure to check back later today for the festivities! We are so grateful to all of you who share your hearts and support with the chimpanzees, we truly couldn’t do it without you! And if you are still looking for a Valentine (or seven!) you can learn more about the chimpanzees and how to help here: Share the Chimp Love. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!