We are still working on our staff PRT Zoom training for another couple of Thursdays so as always, my blog will be abbreviated accordingly.
Please enjoy these photos of Jamie’s lovely profile as she spied on JB working in the chilly air this morning:
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Teenies for Tiny
Foxie, also known as Tiny, loves her teeny tiny troll dolls. Whenever she gets one her eyes light up! I am not sure what it is about Foxie holding her teeny tiny friends but it warms my big heart, probably because they are so small and it makes her so happy. It really is the little things in life ;).
Please enjoy these photos of Foxie with her teeny tiny friends.
I wanted to share a bonus photo of Jamie. It was just too good not to share. Yesterday, I found Jamie in a nest having some fun with three different pieces of enrichment.
This is a photo of Jamie’s nest after she left. Now, just imagine with me! Jamie is still in this nest playing with that toy, right foot in the rainbow sweatband, and boot in her pelvic pocket. It was pretty great!
Morning Adventures and Afternoon Naps
The staff will continue our positive reinforcement training this afternoon. But before we dive into our training, here are some photos of some chimpanzee adventures and naps.
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite piece of art! The three designs with the most votes will win the People’s Choice awards! So be sure to vote before March 14th!
little random moments
The video above is a little bit random, but the days are a little random.
Little moments catch my fancy, like Jody with her great big eyes and Jamie and Burrito running with the Gator.
Spring is definitely in the air. The killdeer and red wing blackbirds are calling, the trees are starting to bud, the bovines are shedding their extra winter hair, and Mave is sunning herself at the top of the chute.
It’s the simple and subtle things that pull me forward towards the next day of random moments.
New steps and more staff training!
Today has been a busy one for the staff so I will make this quick!
JB and Anthony spent the morning finishing up a quick but exciting greenhouse project. Check out these new stairs:
These stairs will make it easier for us (chimpanzees and humans alike) to access the upper platforms in the greenhouse. The chimps are always curious about new construction, no matter the purpose. Burrito spent a great deal of the morning on the fresh steps.
The staff agenda for the afternoon:
- Furthering our Zoom PRT Training
- A major spring clean of the cattle barn
- Mountains of laundry to fold!
- Did I mention that the chimpanzees will be expecting a prompt and timely arrival of dinner service?
I better go!
Get up and Play!
Most mornings are notorious for some sweet greetings, kisses, sleepy chimps not quite ready to get out of bed, and goofy play sessions. It’s often you will find Negra nestled in her nest with blankets still over her. While you can hear Missy and Annie lightly thumping around upstairs grabbing each other’s toes and laughing. Burrito if he is not already playing with Jody or someone, will insist on playing right away! Jody gives you a gentle kiss or asks for a knuckle rub. Foxie tosses you her doll. I tend to find the three as morning people. By the time we unlock their side of the building they are already out of their nests and ready to go, waiting for us to greet them. Honey B, Willy B, and yes Mave too are eager to play most mornings. Though I don’t want to give you the wrong idea, there are a lot of mornings that are not calm and sweet like what I just described above. However, there are many quiet moments you can catch in the morning before all the hustle and bustle starts. This morning had many of those moments I described, including Mave and Willy B having a great morning play session. They actually started upstairs before I had even unlocked the phase one side. I knew I wouldn’t be able to catch it on camera in time, but I also expected Willy B would get distracted and stop playing all together. I couldn’t ruin a good time, so I decided to not disturb them. When they came, downstairs and kept playing, I slyly tried to film them. Chimp laughter might be one of my favorite sounds in the world. If you haven’t watched the video yet, make sure your volume is on!
I wasn’t able to snap a lot of photos today. I was able to capture Mave eating her night bag and a glamour shot of Honey B!
Training Continues
Today, the staff continued our PRT training. However, I was able to take a few photos from today of the Seven enjoying Young’s Hill!
The days have been getting warmer and the snow is disappearing quickly. Just like yesterday, the Seven (minus one) spent a lot of time today exploring Young’s Hill.
When the door leading to Young’s Hill first opened, the first order of business was to take in this warm morning.
Well, that was most everybody’s first agenda item. Burrito’s agenda item was to run around the hill.
Right behind us came Jamie and Missy, with Jody in tow.
Before Jody continued on the walk, she first tried to look for some ice treats in a hanging tire.
None found, she went for one of her other favorite foraging items, a pine branch.
Coming up behind Jody was Foxie, with two Orange Blossoms!
Annie waited at the bottom of the hill for everybody to return. Though she didn’t partake in the first patrol, she was seen out and about since.
Missy stopped for a snowy treat before making her way inside.
Along the way, Jamie decided she want to climb the Twister and take in the surroundings.
At this point, you may be wondering about the “minus one.”
She did poke her head out in the morning, but decided to stay under a pile of blankets in the Greenhouse.
