Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimp enrichment

Cinco de Mayo Party

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The ladies at the Tacoma chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs sure know how to help us put on a party! As mentioned in the post earlier today, they sponsored today and sent us enrichment for a Cinco de Mayo party. And a party we had!

Along with some beach/summer-themed enrichment, the ladies sent us a Safeway gift card so that we could get some yummy produce for the party. So, on the Mexicali menu was tortillas, avocados, tomatoes, cabbage, and leeks (a chimp favorite!). In addition, we juiced some limes and added Key Lime Sparkling Water for our own version of virgin margaritas, poured into tiny plastic shot glasses, of course.

The margaritas smelled just like the real thing! In my opinion, they tasted WAY too tart, but the chimps loved them!! Here’s Jamie going for as many “shots” as possible:

And Annie, relaxing with the last drop of hers:

The tortillas were a big hit, too. I unfortunately didn’t get any photos of her, but bread-loving Negra was SO excited!

Jody:

Missy:

The ladies sent lots of festive beach bags and towels. We added a few beach appropriate things to the bags to fit the theme, such as magazines, combs (for when your hair gets messy after swimming), mirrors, hair clips, plastic shovels for the kids, an extra pair of sandals, etc…

Here’s Missy checking one out:

And how could this possibly be a real party if Foxie didn’t get some new trolls:


Thanks so much, ladies!! We’ve had a great day– and it’s not over! On tonight’s menu is beans and rice with corn on the cob! YUM!

Chimp Politics

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In the chimp world, when you are the boss, it means you can get away with a lot– well, everything. As the leader of the Cle Elum Seven, Jamie lets her feelings be known. When she doesn’t like something someone did, or the way they did it, it can lead to a fight (or a screaming match, which seems to be more common these days). So, to succeed as a member of the group, you must learn how to be a good politician, which first and foremost means how to be submissive to the (wo)man. As the least dominant member of the group, Annie is excellent at this. She is constantly referencing the other members of the group to make sure everyone is okay with whatever it is she is doing. Foxie is somewhere in the middle of the dominance hierarchy but tends to get away with a lot. She is the peacekeeper of the group and has a very close friendship with Jamie, but she still has to tread lightly, none the less.

Gum

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Enrichment comes in many shapes and sizes. We give the chimps gum from time to time, because not only is it good for the chimps’ teeth (we try to stick to Spry Brand gum, which has Xylitol in it- a natural sweetener that is also good for your teeth), but it gives them something interesting to do. Some of the chimps choose to just swallow their gum right away, but others like to chew and even play with their gum.

Burrito:

Missy, “stretching out” her enrichment:

Hanging out with humans

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Yesterday was an office day for me, but I stopped by the chimp house for a bit to take care of some things and to see the chimps. I noticed through the kitchen window into the chimp area that J.B. was playing with someone, which is certainly not an uncommon occurrence, but then I noticed who he was playing with- Annie! So, I quickly grabbed the camera and shot a short clip of it. She seems to really getting the hang of playing with her caregivers lately!