Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Today is for Dr. Jessica Mayhew!

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Today was sponsored by Alexandra Sacco in honor of Dr. Jessica Mayhew! Jessica (colloquially known around here at least, as “Mayhew” 🙂 ) is currently an Assistant Professor in Anthropology at Central Washington University where she also serves as Director of the Primate Behavior and Ecology Program. Not only is Jessica a dedicated advocate and mentor for so many students, many of whom serve as volunteers and interns here at the sanctuary, but she serves as a volunteer caregiver as well as a member of the sanctuary’s Board of Directors.

Alexandra shared this note about her gift today: “To an all around amazing person. Thank you for everything you do for all primates, including all the graduate students that are lucky enough to work with you!”

Alexandra, thanks so much for honoring Jessica today and making a difference in the chimps’ lives, just as she does!

Jessica, we’re incredibly lucky to have you as part of our chimp family and happy to get to celebrate you and your wonderfulness today!

Cutie Burrito:

Beautiful Annie:

Sweet Jody:

Amazing Honey B:

After the storm

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We left last night to a forecast of maybe an inch of snow. Within hours there was a complete snowstorm! Because the snow was blowing sideways at home, I decided to check the camera to see what was happening here at the sanctuary which typically receives more snow and saw much the same, just taken up a level:

But we woke to stunning blue skies and a breathtaking winter landscape and after a particularly dicey drive to work we arrived to J.B. busy on the plow and the front gate of the chimp house:

But it was so beautiful today:

When we walked into the chimp house, Chad and I immediately looked at the cameras and sweet Burrito was front in center, listening for us, ready to put in his snow order. I cannot tell you how much snow the chimps ate today! They couldn’t get enough!

And even Honey B may be on her way to becoming a Pacific Northwest mountain chimp! Chad captured her EATING SNOW this morning!!

The hair <3:

And in fact, Chad came to the rescue in the midst of our super busy day and captured all of these photos of the beautiful chimps today. Here’s sweet Mave:

Jamie decided the table full of snow, wagon full of snow, and bucket full of snow were ALL hers. Every time someone stopped to enjoy themselves at the table, she pulled it away from them! But we account for the boss lady’s ways and there’s always enough for everyone:

Jamie was soooo excited. We’d put a forage of pumpkin seeds, raisins (a favorite of hers) and fresh longan fruit from a dear friend in the snow:

Queen Negra even enjoyed herself immensely today (Burrito, Jamie, and Annie background):

I just passed out a final round of snow that the chimps took to their night nests and they’re all are tucked in to cozy, warm beds. And I’m headed home before it’s dark and icy. Have a beautiful evening everyone!

In special memory for Antionette

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Antoinette Bronson for her wedding anniversary and she shared this touching message about her gift:

“This is the first anniversary since my husband died and I wanted to honor his memory and the love we shared in a special way. Thank you for all you do to help the chimps in your care!”

Antoinette, thank you so much for sharing your heart, and such a special day, with the chimpanzees. We are deeply sorry for your loss and are touched that you would choose to make a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives as a way to honor your husband and your lives together. All of us here are sending you all the good thoughts and may this day bring memories of comfort, joy and ease to your heart.

Missy and Annie:

Cuddle Puddles and Tricky Puzzles

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There was a lot of activity in the Chimp House on this busy Sunday, but this post just focuses on the happenings in the newer part of the sanctuary’s main building.

In that wing of enclosures, Honey B, Mave and Willy B have continued to settle in and seem to grow more comfortable with each passing day. Mave, of course, is an expert nest-builder and can make herself comfortable in any place, at any time, and with any partner. This was true on her road trip from California, it was true when we introduced her to a group of strangers, and it remains true each and every morning.

Willy B

During the late morning hours, Mave sprawled out on the heated floor in a beam of sunlight and lazily picked through the remnants of breakfast. She was soon joined by Honey and Willy in what became a massive raft of fuzz. Grooming is done for more than just hygiene and maintenance; it is the glue that bonds chimps together and also serves to alleviate stress. It certainly seemed to be doing all of the above as the three chimps took turns dozing off while gently picking through each other’s hair.

The Cuddle Puddle

Afterwards, though, the chimps began to act goofy and rambunctious. Lately, Willy B has been making raucous displays using a pink toy car that he can drag and push around the front rooms. Last week, he used this unusual object to make constant noise for the entire duration of our weekly staff meeting. Even with the doors between the chimp area and the foyer closed, we still had to shout just to hear each other. He continued to drag the little car around today, but he seemed to be in a good mood. He interspersed the loud drumming with quick play sessions. During these bouts of play, Willy waits for a caregiver to approach the caging and then skips away with his characteristic double stomp serving as a figurative exclamation mark. I tried to take photos of him and Honey B chasing us around the building, but both were fascinated by the camera and kept trying to groom and kiss the lens.

Honey B’s intense stare
Honey B’s nose hairs
Willy B’s pink lower lip
Willy B’s nose hairs and inquisitive gaze

The day ended with a challenging set of enrichment puzzles that today’s volunteer crew worked hard to stock with nuts, seeds and raisins. Chimps don’t seem to have the finely-tuned dexterity that most humans have, but they still tend to do quite well for themselves and can even learn how to use simple tools for grooming and foraging.The three new chimps were skilled with such tasks long before the even arrived at CSNW, but it’s still fascinating to watch them solve the puzzles in order to extract the valued snacks that are tactfully hidden inside. Today’s smörgåsbord of hanging puzzles included raisin boards, boomer balls, shake bottles, and drop-down puzzles; each type requires a different perspective and strategy, but the chimps are intelligent enough to figure most of them out eventually. The seven original residents are experts at these tasks and even last year’s arrivals are not far behind, so the pressure is on us caregivers to devise novel challenges that also meet our standards for safety and durability. Kelsi recently highlighted some enrichment activities on the blog, and we also curate a public enrichment database on our website.

Honey B teases peanuts out of a ball puzzle
Willy B shakes nuts and raisins out of a bottle puzzle
Willy B uses a plastic tool to drag the raisins into the enclosure for optimal snacking accessibility
Honey B uses a chopstick to work raisins out of the board puzzle
Honey B successfully punches a raisin out of the board

Provisioning the chimps with a steady stream of enrichment objects, foods and materials is a massive endeavor. For blog readers and Facebook followers, the best ways to ensure the chimpanzees have ample enrichment are to purchase items directly from our wish list or to become a Chimpanzee Pal. As Diana highlighted yesterday, an amazing supporter will be giving us bonus donations for every new Chimpanzee Pal and Bovine Buddy who signs up before the end of this month. Honey B, Mave and Willy B (the three chimps mentioned in this post) are all available to be sponsored. Of course, we appreciate all the generous people who have already made contributions to the sanctuary!

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P.S. I mentioned that Mave is an expert at maintaining a constant state of warm comfort. As I sit here putting the finishing touches on this blog post, I can see her silhouette on the security camera. Even with the limited night vision, her Ewok frame and hobbit feet are easy to distinguish. She’s snuggled up in a giant blanket nest on the heated floor of Front Room 7 and her right leg is propped straight up on the caging. She’s one of a kind.

P.S.S. Mave just lazily rolled over and I’m shutting down the Chimp House for the night. It’s easier to leave when you know that the chimps will be safe and warm in their nests until morning. I hope that you all do the same!

Something’s Different

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See if you can relate: you have a distinct feeling that something’s different, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. That’s how I felt this morning.

It wasn’t overly warm, but it felt nice outside. With the weather in mind, I tried to be quick with the morning routine so that all of the chimps could get outside – Jamie’s group on the hill and Willy B’s group into the chute.

When I let Jamie’s group onto the hill, all seven chimps flowed out.

The first order of business was trying to see who was in the chute:

Even Negra, who often chooses nesting over going onto the hill made a short foray, in all of her Negra glory (I like the bonus Missy action shot in the first photo):

Watching Negra go outside made me realize what was so different about the morning. No wind!

Having lived in Kittitas County for a total of fourteen years, you would think the lack of wind would be something I’d immediately notice. It’s not the windiest place in the world, but it’s the windiest place I’ve ever lived.

Historically, spring, which we are rapidly approaching, is the most gusty. But this morning was as still as… (insert something that’s really still).

I think the chimpanzees noticed too.

Missy and Annie started a game of chase:

Burrito waited for me to catch up to him for a walk (me on the outside of the fence, of course):

Then he spotted Foxie and Jamie on one of the structures:

so he decided to join them instead:

I got some photos of Willy B, Mave, and Honey B in the chute, but they didn’t pass my approval for posting on the blog. When Mave went back inside, I followed her around to take a few other photos.

Get ready to sigh with affection at Mave’s gorgeousness…

Here she is in the lower portion of their current indoor area:

And here’s a close-up of Mave grooming herself in the mezzanine. There are many, many things about Mave to love (as the video from yesterday illustrates), but I discovered something specific with the photo below. All of those wonderful wrinkles below her eyes when she’s scrunching up her nose! Big sigh. I’m smitten all over again.

I posted another sigh-worthy photo of Mave on our Instagram account – go look if you didn’t catch it earlier.

Of the three new chimpanzees, Mave has the most pals right now.

Surprisingly, of Jamie’s group, Burrito, Annie, and Missy are tied for the fewest pals. Maybe someone reading this will give Honey B, Willy B, Burrito, Annie, or Missy some love by becoming their Pal?!

Don’t forget that the sanctuary will receive a bonus $20 for every new pal that signs up in the month of February and $10 for every new Bovine Buddy thanks to a generous donor. Share the love!

Happy Valentine’s Day, Matt!

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This lovely day of sanctuary was sponsored by Sharon Langone for her husband, Matt Langone!

“Happy Valentine’s Day to my husband, Matt! We both love the work the team does at the sanctuary on Valentine’s Day and all year round- so it seemed fitting!”

Sharon and Matt, thank you so much for your support of the chimpanzees and cattle who call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest home! We so appreciate your love for them and all of us here wish you a beautiful day filled with all, and who, you most love.

Chimpanzees “hug” and “kiss” all the time. And while it’s nearly impossible for us humans not to equate these gestures with our own human equivalents, in chimp lingo they are typically gestures of greeting and reassurance. But I don’t believe there is any less heart behind them. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! (Naturally, be sure to tune in later for the chimps’ party 🙂 ).

Annie and Missy:

Jody and Missy:

Jody and Missy:

An oldie, but goodie of Foxie and her troll doll:

Burrito:

Fall in Love with Willy B

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Happy Valentine’s Eve!

On Saturday, we shared the Fall in Love with Honey B video, so you’ve probably been anticipating this one!

For a little background in case you missed Saturday’s post: a few years ago we made ‘Fall in Love with” videos for all of the chimpanzees. Like right now, these videos were part of a February fundraiser highlighting the Chimpanzee Pal program. The videos are at the bottom of each of the chimpanzees‘ webpages.

I now present to you: Fall in Love with Willy B (see video above).

I anticipated a lot of slinky footage for Willy B’s video, and I knew I would enjoy putting it all together, but it was even more delightful a process than I had anticipated.

One thing you may have noticed from Willy B and Honey B’s videos is the lack of images and footage of them outside. That’s because they are still wary of the electric fence and are choosing not to go into their “courtyard” even when given the opportunity. This hopefully will change with time, and it makes our continued expansion even more important so that they can enjoy a large playroom and indoor-outdoor greenhouse space too!

Tomorrow is the first Valentine’s Day that Honey B, Willy B, and Mave will be celebrating at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

Help us celebrate this special occasion by signing up to be a pal to one of the new three (Mave’s video is in the works) or to any of the chimpanzees at the sanctuary.

For a smaller donation, you can even be a Bovine Buddy to one of the three rescued cows or steer Nutmeg at the sanctuary (video to come before the end of the month)!  Pal and Buddy sponsorships help pay for the care of these unique and charming non-humans.

Thanks to everyone who already contributes to the sanctuary in a myriad ways, including through the Chimpanzee Pal and Bovine Buddy programs. Your donations are very much needed and appreciated!