The following is a longer video I got this morning. We try to keep our videos short (not everyone is as obsessed with the chimps as we are!), but this one was just too good to cut much out. So, prepare yourself for the best 3 minutes of your (and my) day:
chimp enrichment
“Baby” steps
Back in February, we witnessed Foxie build her first true blanket nest. It is still a rare occasion and is usually short-lived, but she is getting there. She made a little more progress today. It seems having a new(ish) troll doll with hair helps (or several), as well as caregivers handing her an endless supply of blankets.
As we approach our 3rd anniversary (June 13!), her progress is only fitting considering two years ago (on the one-year anniversary of the chimps’ arrival to the sanctuary) Diana and I witnessed Foxie lay on her first blanket. As inappropriate as the phrase “baby steps” may seem since I am referring to a fully grown adult chimp, her steps towards nest building are small, but priceless, no less.
Relaxing Jody
I don’t think I’ve ever met a more professional relaxer:
Lilacs
Last week, CSNW supporters Dick and Robbi Brown brought some beautiful purple lilac flowers for the chimps. I’ve known other chimps who really loved lilacs, most notably Washoe, but we just weren’t sure what the Cle Elum Seven would think. When we first gave the flowers to them, they were unsure (I tasted one the other day– bleh! they are pretty perfumey!), but today volunteer Seana and myself put out the rest of them in the outdoor area and they were a hit with everybody!
….well, almost everybody. Much like I would feel if I were them, Burrito and Foxie chose to remain indifferent toward the flower forage.
Missy:
Negra (with Annie in the background):
Jody:
Jamie enjoying her lilacs while wearing a stuffed monkey around her neck:
She put it on first thing this morning, and has been wearing it ever since:
Annie:
Thanks Robbi and Dick!
Special thanks to Three Rivers HomeLink’s Leadership Class!
Today’s sponsor-a-day is from Three Rivers HomeLink’s Leadership class. Three Rivers is an alternative learning center for grades K-12 based out of Richland, WA. The Leadership Class has been following our blog and learning about the chimps and have chosen to honor the Cle Elum Seven by sponsoring today! They sent us the following note and photo:
Dear Chimp Sanctuary NW,
Thank you for all your love and hard work for the seven adorable angels we have been promoting at our school! The pictures on Facebook & your blog have allowed us to showcase what you do and although it’s not a huge amount we wanted to show our love for Foxie, Jamie, Negra, Burrito, Missy, Annie, and Jody!
What a fun class, huh?! I just love this photo! Thanks so much to Johanna for keeping these kids informed and engaged, and to the kids for being the next generation of ambassadors for chimpanzees!
Here’s our own head honcho and fashionista, Jamie:
The boss
Even the boss has to kick back sometimes:
Sweet Jody
On a warm day, Jody loves having the barn doors open. She seems to love the fresh air and the view, and as soon as we open them up for the day, she usually starts going around the playroom collecting as many blankets as possible and makes a giant nest right next to them, either in the sun or where ever she can get the most breeze. Here are a few photos I took of her the other day doing just that in a nest of about 15 blankets.
