Cle Elum got a little snow overnight, so this morning after cleaning the playroom Jackie and I gathered some from outside and filled the chimps’ sandbox. We buried some cranberries in there for good measure (you can see Jamie searching for them in this video). The chimps love (to eat) the snow, but aren’t crazy about the chilly temperatures, so they seemed to enjoy having a bit of the outdoors brought inside for them.
chimp sanctuary
And the party continues
We’re just about to set up party #2 – dinner feast complete with Tofurky, cranberry sauce, punch, roasted potatoes and onions and more fruit bread plus wholesome cookies that Sarah made. The chimps don’t yet know there is a second party in just a few minutes!
Merry Christmas morning!
Happy Holidays to all. The chimpanzees got stockings filled with goodies last night and they are coming in for breakfast now. We’re serving them a special treat – fruitcake (more like fruit bread)! Elizabeth just let me know that everyone came in and we’re ready to get the day started. I’ll serve breakfast, then we’ll clean the playroom and set up the party with all of the donated presents – thanks everyone for making the chimps’ celebration so festive! More soon!
Caregivers’ Use of Chimpanzee Behaviors
Having recently finished my master’s thesis, I thought this would be an appropriate venue for talking about my thesis topic: the use of chimpanzee behaviors and vocalizations by caregivers. At CSNW, the caregivers incorporate chimpanzee behaviors when interacting with the chimps. For example, during play, we exhibit chimpanzee playfaces, laughter and other playful behaviors. In addition, we use submissive behaviors when the chimpanzees display aggressive behaviors. Chimpanzees are excellent readers of nonverbal behavior. Some natural human behaviors, such as walking upright, swinging our arms, and smiling, are all aggressive/territorial behaviors to chimpanzees. Therefore, although they understand human behavior, to prevent a possible miscommunication, we use behaviors to let the chimpanzees know we are their friends, rather than trying to dominate them. Playing this submissive role has produced relationships that are centered around cooperation and friendship. In my thesis research, when caregivers used chimpanzee behaviors, the chimps spent more time interacting with the caregivers and used more playful and friendly behaviors. I see the effects of this everyday, and feel this simple thing has greatly improved these chimpanzees’ psychological wellbeing. So, next time you see a chimpanzee, whether it be at a zoo or a sanctuary, try giving them a chimpanzee head nod or a playface (you’ll see these behaviors in the video). They will be elated to know someone out there speaks chimpanzee! And being submissive when the chimpanzees are displaying (as seen in THIS video), lets them know that we aren’t threatening them and that we are their friends. It can make a world of difference.
YOU did it!
Yay!! Big thanks to Barb in Ohio for her generous pledge for the last $$ needed for the window fund. You’ve raised the money needed to replace one of the caged windows with clear chimp-proof glass!
Thank you to Anna K. for initiating this window fundraising and to Denice, Jill K., Julie H., Gayle B., Theresa, Jeani, Candy, Kathy B., Leslie S., Sue and Jack, Stephanie P., Steph and Kurt, Donna A. and now Barb in Ohio. What a wonderful x-mas gift for the chimpanzees! Thank you also to an anonymous donor and friend who is sending a cash gift for the sanctuary and offered to have that gift go towards the window, if needed. The Cle Elum Seven have the best supporters!
There was a big snowstorm overnight, so winter is here. We’ll keep you updated on the timeline for installing the window. In the meantime, be thinking of Negra’s new view and another window for Jody to lick 🙂
Holiday ideas
Need some holiday gift ideas for Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest? Below are just a few ideas that would make the humans’ and the chimpanzees’ lives wonderful in 2010:
1. Check out our amazon.com wishlist. Think buying paper towels is boring? We love getting supplies! It saves us a bunch. If you can get them cheaper elsewhere, just let us know what’s coming our way and we’ll update the amazon list. Also, if you want to do your own shopping on amazon anytime, click through our wishlist first and we’ll get a referral bonus at no extra cost to you.
2. Gift cards, especially for Costco. We were so lucky to have received several of these last year from Anna – they came in so handy! We bought everything from postage stamps to bananas.
3. Cash Donations. Every little bit helps and we rely on end-of-the-year generosity!
4. Check out our recently updated full wish list.
The Cle Elum Seven are really lucky to have amazing friends, so we have a good supply of blankets, stuffed animals and clothing right now. Thank you so much for being so generous!
Through The Looking Glass
Today was a really nice day, so I was able to give the chimps access to their Outdoor Enclosure and their Front Rooms while Elizabeth and I cleaned the Playroom. Almost everyone was playing outside at some point, and they were very interested in playing with us through the new glass window. This has been such a wonderful addition to the sanctuary. It must be SO nice to look out and not see bars! And they’ve created a very fun (and distracting!) new game to boot!