Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
If you watched The Queen’s Brunch virtual event last month, you saw a short clip from this video of Foxie getting two new Orange Blossom dolls.
I’ve been wanting to share more of the video since then, and I’m finally doing it today.
We’ll be holding our annual gala, HOOT!, as a virtual event this year. Mark your calendars now for Saturday September 12th so you can join the fun!
A common question we get from curious supporters is “how much do the chimps eat?” While we don’t actually weigh their daily portions out or count calories, we use a rough estimate and a little bit of trial and error to adjust the chimps’ diets accordingly. Lately we’ve been serving Burrito and Foxie an extra portion of primate chow since they are two of our more slender residents.
Burrito loves emptying bags of primate chow into his mouth and is a big fan of this “Burrito gets more” plan. This is an older photo, but you get the idea!
In general, the chimps each eat 3 servings of fruit for breakfast (one of which is a fruit smoothie), 3 servings of vegetables at lunch, and 3 servings of veggies/fruit for dinner. What makes up a serving is a little open to interpretation, but you could think of a standard sized apple being considered 1 serving. Oh and I almost forgot! We serve Willy B extra produce each day because he’s a big guy and needs to maintain his muscular physique. All in all, our fridges empty at a considerable rate.
In the age of COVID-19 we’ve had to reorganize a lot of the ways we provide care for the chimpanzees including how we get the chimps their weekly shipment of fresh produce. Thursdays have become the sanctuary’s “produce day.” JB drives to a neighboring city and does our shopping at a wholesale store, then staff member Anthony and volunteer caregiver Lisa do a mass washing and reorganizing of our 2 fridges.
If you would like to help keep the chimps’ fridges stocked full of fresh fruits and veggies, you can become a Produce Patron on our website. The chimps and those that love them thank you! Here’s today’s well-stocked veggie fridge:
Anna and I are wrapping things up in the Chimp House and reflecting on what a long day it has been. Sadly, my initial plans for composing a video to attach to today’s blog deteriorated as the day went on. Instead, you’re all getting these portraits of three of my favorite chimps. (Note: I have many, many “favorite” chimps.)
First, Willy B wanted to look into the camera lens and then see the resulting images.
Then, Honey B sat in the same spot while she was eating lunch. She grasped a roll of craft paper, one of her favorite enrichment materials, in her right hand while she nibbled on carrots with her left.
Jamie, per usual, did laps around the Hill during the morning and afternoon. As always, she was vigilant and perceptive.
We hope everyone is staying safe (and staying sane). Don’t forget to wear a mask!
As the day is winding down, the chimpanzees are about to be served dinner. On tonight’s menu is watermelon, sweet potatoes, celery, and their daily night bags filled with sunflower and pumpkin seeds, popcorn, and dried fruit.
I would say tonight’s dinner was a hit with both groups.
With their bellies full and the evening enrichment puzzles solved, the chimpanzees are beginning to build their nests for the night.
Have a wonderful evening everybody!
Today was sponsored by Joan O’Flaherty in loving memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty, on their wedding anniversary.
“My parents loved animals and supported conservation. They would appreciate all the care and hard work you do to give the cows and chimpanzees lives worth living.”
Joan, we can’t thank you enough for continuing your lovely parents’ legacy by always thinking of the chimpanzees (and now cattle!) and for the lasting difference you’ve made in their lives in Ned and Noreen’s honor. We hope your heart is full of comfort and peace today, just as you help ensure for the chimps and bovines.
Honey B:
Willy B:
Mave:
Nutmeg and Meredith:
The day began with thievery. Everyone (with the exception of Negra, who chose to lounge in her post-breakfast nest) headed off together on a patrol of Young’s Hill, eventually spreading out to pursue their own interests. Jody’s interest was foraging for wild dandelion:
She made her way back to the greenhouse and just settled down to enjoy her haul when…
oh no…
Scooping up as much of her dandelion greens as she could while giving the approaching thief the side eye:
The Queen arrived to take her share. One thing (among many) that impresses me about Jody is her determination to hang onto items of food she wants when someone else also wants them, all while trying to avoid any conflict. She’ll start by just politely turning her body away and eating as fast as she can and even if it escalates to the point of someone (usually Jamie) screaming and chasing her, she’ll do her best to leave the area and avoid conflict, but she will *not* give up her food! Granted, this may not be the best move in chimpanzee politics, but nevertheless I admire it and it seems to work for her. In this case, she shoveled as much dandelion in as she could while Negra made off with a handful:
Meanwhile, I spotted Annie and Burrito together on the hill seemingly concerned about something they may or may not have seen in the grass. I braced myself for Annie to start screaming thinking they may have seen a snake, but she just held onto Burrito as they both stared into the grass. Eventually, they both made their way bipedally (and endearingly) uphill toward the safety of the climbing structures where they spent a great while taking in the sights and sounds of a summertime morning:
Missy returning from the perimeter patrol:
And Foxie bringing up the rear:
This guy has been non-stop today. While that’s not unusual these days, what is rather unique is that he’s been non-stop playing with all the girls (as opposed to the humans). As much as we love to play with him, it’s really wonderful to see his relationships with the other chimps blossoming. He started off wresting all morning with Jody, filling the chimp house with their laughter while we cleaned. I stopped to try and get a video and I seriously couldn’t tell where Burrito ended and Jody began. Later he and Negra had a game of wrestling and chase, which means some left hooks when Negra’s involved, but Burrito would just play slap her on the head in return which she seemed to love. Then he moved on to wrestling with both Annie and Missy! He’s currently looking out the playroom window toward the chute, blowing raspberries in an attempt to get Mave to come outside. Mave cannot hear him, and I doubt she’d respond, but he’s endearing in his attempts to catch the attention of the girl next door:
And over on the other side, Willy B was just hanging out in his tub/dinghy on the high seas (which I love so much I can barely stand it):
In other news, Honey B has discovered her ability to choose if she’ll have the humans cleaning her home or not. Though not particularly effective for cleaning, we’re particularly delighted that she’s making her own choices. And as we were saying to one another, she is Missy’s daughter after all. Her mother is infamous for choosing not to leave an area we’d like to clean and having us reroute our human schedule. And of course, that’s just what sanctuary is all about. The chimpanzees, in their time and their way. Just as it should be.
“Today, just do what you can.”
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