Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
When you first meet Missy, you notice how compact and small she is. It’s almost like someone sewed her head directly to her shoulders and she’s missing her neck. Apparently, this is the ideal body type for an athletic chimpanzee though, because she’s brimming with strength, speed, power and agility.
What a glorious day of weather! This morning was bright, sunny and humid as the chimpanzees made their way through the jungle of tall grass that is Young’s Hill right now. We noticed that they came in a little sooner than usual and right on their heels the sky started to brew billowing thunderheads and turn a deep violet. And then the thunder and lighting began.
I remember in the early days of Young’s Hill when a storm would come through and one boom of thunder would send the chimps hooting and running for the safety of the greenhouse. As time has passed, they became much more at ease with storms and even occasionally took cover atop the structures of Young’s Hill to watch the storm approach. If we have a rare extended one like today, it’s not uncommon to see them paying more attention of course, but I think they respond in much the same way we do. A little nervous, a little in awe, marveling at Mother Nature.
Jody sat at the entrance to the greenhouse for some time watching the storm roll in, but once the thunder began she quickly made her way back inside:
Annie:
Jody and Annie:
Everyone seemed to pick a spot they felt cozy in from which to wait out the storm. Foxie took her doll to a safe corner of the greenhouse:
Lightening flashed, thunder boomed, rain poured and the chimp house shook (eliciting a brief alarm call and some hoots). And we had the great joy of standing under the eaves of the chimp house watching the wondrous parenting skills of our neighbor swallow family as the parents braved the storm to keep all their fledglings well fed:
The sun’s back out, the chimpanzees are lounging in the greenhouse as they wait while Anthony prepares their dinner, the cattle decided it was safe to leave their barn and made their way to their new summer pasture and still, the fledglings are calling for their parents, awaiting the next round of scrumptious bugs. And all the while another round of thunderheads is brewing and heading this way. It’s a beautiful day.
Nothing makes me happier than when I go out to see what the chimpanzees are up to and they are happily engaged in their own activities, sometimes gracing me with a cursory glance or friendly head nod, then getting back to what they were doing. This happiness is tenfold when it’s Jamie who is hanging out with the other chimpanzees and simply doesn’t want or need my attention.
I’m not going to lie, it is pretty fantastic to be greeted enthusiastically by a chimpanzee. I’m a (mostly) social primate too, and it feels good when someone is happy to see me and wants to spend time with me. However, part of our job at the sanctuary is to create an environment where the humans are available but not essential to the social lives of the chimpanzees in our care.
J.B. explained in this blog post at the beginning of the year that Jamie is often not involved in grooming parties with the other chimpanzees because she tends to exist on the fringes of the chimpanzees social group, often preferring to receive attention from the humans. This makes a lot of sense – she spent the first nine years of her life very likely thinking she was a human, then she was put into biomedical research for a couple of decades before coming to the sanctuary. To say that her relationship with humans is complicated is an understatement.
We do grant her the time that she desires with the humans. We want to provide all of the chimpanzees with the things and experiences that make them feel secure, content, and joyful, and that’s different for each of them. We respect who they are as chimpanzees, however, and we limit the contact that we have with them. Even their best human friends are never with them without steel caging, chimp-proof glass, or electric fence between us (aside from medical procedures when they are fully sedated). This is for our safety. And it’s also to let them have their own space where they can be chimpanzees.
The humans are just a part of their lives. We come and we go. Their most important social relationships are with one another.
So, you can imagine my happiness when I came upon a grooming session between Jamie and Foxie today and they ignored me.
They can be physical with each other in ways that the humans cannot, and that’s the way it should be. They don’t need us for this. They need each other.
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Caroline Hero in honor of her sister, Kathy Hero! Caroline shared this incredibly touching message about today:
“This day is in honour of my sister Kathy (Hero) who was born on this day, June 28, let’s just say, a number of years ago. Ever since she saw Jane Goodall on the cover of National Geographic for the first time she was hooked on Chimpanzees for life. So in her honour I would like to sponsor a day for your troop of extraordinary rescues to make her Birthday this year an extra special one indeed. She follows the Cle Elum Seven on a daily basis and loves them all, and what your team is doing to give them a better life. My sisters and I care for our Mother, who suffers from dementia, and this day will truly brighten her dwindling spirit. One day I hope to be able to afford a trip for us down there to see the Sanctuary and the lives you have enriched. Happy Birthday to you dear sister, and I love you very much.”
Caroline, we are so moved by your generous and compassionate gift for Kathy and the chimpanzees. Thank you for thinking of the chimpanzees as you and your family celebrate Kathy today!
Kathy, may your special day fill your heart with the lightness and joy, comfort and ease, that you help provide the chimpanzees’ hearts with. Happiest of birthdays from all of the primates here at the sanctuary!
Jamie:
This week we welcomed our newest staff member Anthony to the sanctuary! Elizabeth, our longtime volunteer coordinator and caregiver is transitioning out of her job at the sanctuary in the coming weeks as she pursues a dream career as a librarian. We’re so fortunate we get to keep her around as a volunteer! This left an opening at the sanctuary for a part-time caregiver position, and that’s where Anthony comes in.
Anthony graduated from Central Washington University in 2017 with a Masters in Primate Behavior and a Certificate in Captive Primate Care. He also interned and volunteered at Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW during his time at CWU. After finishing his education, he worked at Project Chimps, a chimpanzee sanctuary in Northern Georgia as a caregiver. He returns to the Pacific Northwest with lots of primate care experience and it’s great to have him back! Anthony will get to introduce himself to the blog community in a couple of weeks as he continues his training in the Chimp House. In the meantime, Burrito is keeping him busy with lots of rowdy games of chase!
Foxie, as with many of her friends, spent her summer morning blissfully wandering Young’s Hill. Foxie later came back and spent most of her day in the Green House with her new France Dora Doll (sorry no photos of that)!
Foxie in the thick of the tall grass:
These two photos I just can’t get over. Foxie looks whimsical and angelic. When I look at them I can’t help but smile. I hope these bring you the same joy they brought me.
And if you have ever wondered what a relaxed chimpanzee looks like, well Foxie sums it all up in these photos:
The grass is so lush that sometimes it feels like we are playing I Spy. This morning, especially for Jody I could barely keep up. Jody was weaving in and out of the tall grass and bamboo bushes. When she finally emerged Jody had stuffed her face with so much prickly lettuce!
Bubba and Annie spent some quality time outside together:
Jamie and Foxie went on a perimeter walk together:
Foxie and her doll having a moment:
I love this photo of Jamie hidden behind the tall grass:
