Today was sponsored by Tracy Headley. Tracy was the first person to respond to our Give Five Day campaign and chose to sponsor this very special day in honor of our 5 year anniversary. We have so much to celebrate today because not only is it the sanctuary’s anniversary, it is also our beloved Queen Negra’s 40th birthday! None of which would be possible without the support of so many wonderful people. Thank you so much for such a wonderful start to the day, Tracy! And speaking of our amazing supporters, we also have a second sponsor for today which will be posted after the celebrations get under way!
chimp enrichment
Annie tries new things
As the newest staff member I am enjoying many new responsibilities. The one that is, perhaps, the most fun is coming to know the chimpanzees better and developing my relationships with them. During my very first volunteer shift I remember being drawn to Annie. Elizabeth described her to me as shy and reserved, especially with the human caregivers. She reminded me of another chimpanzee friend in that regard. Over the years as a volunteer I have had the privilege to watch as she slowly comes out of her shell and I can’t tell you how lucky I always feel when Annie takes the time to greet me or play with me, however briefly. I enjoy coming to know her for herself as she figures out who that is in sanctuary. She’s always surprising us with her changing tastes; today, we caught her on film playing with one of Foxie’s Dora dolls.
What a difference a day makes
We have been having many days of much needed, but seemingly never ending, rain here at the sanctuary. And let me tell you, Jamie has had a bee in her bonnet for days. And when Jamie’s not happy she makes it well known. I can’t really blame her as it’s hard to be stuck inside after we have had so many beautiful days recently. As caregivers, it is always first in our minds as to how we can make the days better for the chimps, particularly when they aren’t able to go outside. Yesterday, despite our best efforts, Jamie was a grouchy lady and let it be known in no uncertain terms that she wanted nothing to do with any of our suggestions. But today the humans and chimpanzees finally awoke to sunny skies. Everyone was in a good mood and JB even got a laugh from Annie, who typically reserves those for her raucous games of chase with her best friend, Missy. We put a breakfast forage on Young’s Hill to make the most of the day and the chimps were all lined up waiting for the door to open. They immediately all filed through the raceway together with Negra (!) in the lead. Everyone spread out, foraging through the now significantly taller grass, food squeaking with joy (we are hoping to have some great footage of this from the GoPro camera on the hill soon). And then much to our surprise, we spotted Jamie trying her hand at tightrope walking across the fire hose bridge! While this is usually a classic Missy move, I’d say Jamie is giving her a run for her money. And the best thing yet? That bee that’s been in Jamie’s bonnet seems to have flown off.
I love Jamie’s face in this last picture. It almost looks as though she’s giving herself a little congratulatory cheer. I would look like that as well if I had just been able to do a tightrope walk across the fire hose bridge!
Missy the distractor
Thanks to Jackie Heinricher of Provitro Biosciences, the chimps have had the pleasure of having bamboo in the greenhouse. Jody has especially appreciated nesting in it. This morning, J.B. planted a couple more really tall plants, and Jody did not hesitate to take advantage of such valuable nesting material. She seemed pretty happy! Katelyn and I were commenting that it was interesting she chose the bamboo over her usual blankets, but Jody is an expert nest-builder and will use all sort of things like paper and straw in addition to blankets.
While Jody was happily building her wonderful nest, Missy decided to interrupt her and try to engage her in play. Missy is able to bring the playful side out in just about anybody, even the generally less playful Jody. She entertained Missy’s need for playing for a little while, and then returned to building the perfect nest. Wait for the end of the video—you’ll see just how content and comfy she looks.
Thanks again Provitro Biosciences!
Always on the go
We all know that Missy is a bundle of energy. She’s got one speed when she’s on Young’s Hill: FAST. She brings a smile to our faces every time she darts back and forth and up and down the hill, because she’s able to exert her energy in a space larger than she ever would have even imagined of in the lab. It’s so hard to try and think of how she was able to contain that energy in the confined space she had for decades. Now, she’s able to run as fast as she can, climb every structure and post, do her acrobatics on the fire hoses, and if she wants, to sit still. Missy is a very great example of how the chimps now have choices.
Nesting in the Bamboo
We planted some bamboo in the greenhouse this morning. Since chimpanzees are naturally curious and destructive, the plants might not last long, but for now everyone’s leaving them alone for the most part. Jody, however, thinks they make prime nesting material.
Thanks so much to ProVitro Biosciences for the bamboo!
Happy Birthday, Talia!
William Wright sponsored today for Talia Silveri’s birthday. William says:
“Talia loves all the chimps at CSNW and wants to share her birthday love with her favorite animal friends!”
Happy birthday, Talia! We hope your day is full of surprises.