Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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chimpanzee rescue

Jamie’s not-so-serious pants

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There are some people who are simply intense, even their resting face is intimidating to the uninitiated! Their approach to life and every experience in it can seem so serious that it’s hard to imagine them ever being a kid. If you asked my husband, that’s a fairly accurate description of me. If you asked me I’d say it’s a fairly accurate description of both Jamie chimpanzee and me. I do love Jamie’s serious face. Isn’t it intense?

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But I also know that, just like me, Jamie doesn’t always wear her serious pants. We’ve often posted about Foxie’s ability to draw out Jamie’s silly side but, really, she can be silly all on her own when she chooses. Today, during cleaning, Jamie initiated an exuberant game of chase, roll, repeat with me and I was happy to oblige. Taking Jamie on her own terms allows her to express her complex character completely and I’m so thankful to provide her that opportunity, especially when it involves laughter!

Here’s photo evidence of Jamie with a not-so-serious face. You may notice that the only photo evidence I could find of Jamie with a playface was in the company of Foxie!

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In memory of Simone

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Today, tomorrow, and the next day (!!!) are sponsored by Tracy Dunham. Tracy shared this wonderful story about Simone:

“In memory of Simone who came to me because one person saw something in a dog that had a ‘1000 mile stare’ and was so afraid that she crawled instead of walked. She spent her last days walking the beach on the Oregon coast, greeting every human with kindness and listening to the ocean with her head in my lap. Thank you to all the wonderful people who have given the chimpanzees a chance to enjoy life. I would like to sponsor 3 days for the last three days Simone and I spent on the coast.”

Tracy, we are so touched that you chose to not only sponsor 3 days for the chimpanzees, but also to include them in such a special memory of Simone. Thank you so much!

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Summer Sun

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It’s a warm, quiet afternoon in sanctuary and the chimpanzees are spending time each according to her(or his) nature. Jamie and I took some new footwear for a walk around Young’s Hill after lunch. Missy accompanied us for part of the way and then we all returned to the greenhouse to escape the heat. The greenhouse appears to be the place to hang out on a hot summer afternoon!

Providing options for individual choice is one of the many perks of working at the sanctuary and it makes me proud to be able to share quality time with each chimpanzee in the manner that most appeals to them.

Here is Jamie, ready to groom the now traveled boot.
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Missy, enjoying the relative cool of the greenhouse after the eastern Washington summer sun.
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Annie stayed put in the greenhouse. Here she is gazing in the direction of the helicopter overhead.
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Burrito, playful as ever!
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Paper dreams

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When is a roll of paper not just a roll of paper? When it’s been appropriated for use by the chimpanzees of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, of course! Yesterday’s enrichment theme was paper day and, in the spirit of things, Debbie and I covered the playroom floor with yellow paper from a large roll. Not only did it provide entertainment as we could hear the wrinkles and crinkles whenever the chimpanzees raced across the floor engaged in games of chase, but it also provided prime nesting material for Jamie in the heat of the afternoon.

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I was unable to get a good picture this morning but the yellow paper was choice nesting material today as well. Missy was seen earlier in the day using it to nest with in the loft of the playroom. I tried to capture the nest on film this afternoon and found that the paper nest had migrated in the loft. It appears that the paper roll was a successful choice for enriching the lives of the Cle Elum 7.

Want to know more about chimpanzee nesting behavior? This blog post is a good introduction.

For Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty

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Today was sponsored by Joan O’Flaherty in memory of the anniversary of her parents, Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty.  Ned and Noreen shared a love of animals, and concern about conservation and environmental issues, and Joan is certain that they would have loved the chimpanzees.  Joan, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees in such a special way.  It makes my heart happy to know people think of the chimps when thinking of their loved ones.

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Good friends, good times

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Mornings here at the sanctuary are busy times. The caregivers arrive, prepare breakfast for the chimpanzees, and, then, are usually engaged in quite a lot of cleaning. I love cleaning, it’s like having my own personal workout regimen that does wonders for my arms! My absolute favorite part of the day though is after we’ve accomplished some work and we can enjoy the company of good friends. Grooming and play are the most frequent forms of social enrichment for the humans as well as the chimpanzees. A quiet afternoon, hanging out with chimpanzee friends is the best way I know of to while away time in this heat!

Learn more about the function of chimpanzees grooming from previous posts.