Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Choice

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Annie has been wearing a yellow elastic headband around her waist for the past week. This makes us happy because it’s her choice and it seems to make her happy. The headband is part of the daily enrichment we offer to the chimps, which also includes blankets, dolls, scarves, socks, hats, boots, wooden toys, plastic tools, toothbrushes, nail files, bags, buckets, stuffed animals, books, magazines, paper, and anything else we think they might enjoy that’s safe for them to have. The chimps are free to use, destroy, or ignore these items in any way they see fit.

Most people are used to seeing chimpanzees wearing clothing because chimps used in movies, television shows, commercials, and print advertisements have traditionally been forced (and often duct-taped) into clothes against their will for the purpose of entertaining humans (or selling products).

At CSNW, Annie’s only job is to be herself.

The Fun Police

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Jamie has some pretty simple rules for training her caregivers: If you want to interact with a chimpanzee, it’s got to be with her. Burrito and level 3 caregiver-in-training Chad, were enjoying a nice game of tug-o-war with a plastic tube when she saw them disobeying her law. The Boss is always right, so Chad immediately complied with her order to desist with the funny business. Instead of silly games, it was time for some serious grooming.

Tattoos are a popular thing to examine during grooming sessions:

What’s in a wadge?

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The chimpanzees all enjoy wadging fibrous materials in their bottom lips. When something is too tough or dry to eat, but has some flavor left in it, they make a chewed up ball by adding water and sucking out the juices through their teeth. It’s got to be pretty relaxing to finish a meal and kick back with a nice wadge.

Here are just a few popular wadging materials:
Bamboo (Annie):

Alfalfa cubes (Burrito):

Primate chow (Foxie):

Corn cob (Negra):

Pine needles (Jody):

Pineapple peel (Jamie):

Chow bag paper (Missy):

Bakin’

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Oh my gosh guys, it is HOT. The chimps are so toasty the only thing they could do today was lay down and groom. That was seriously all we did today… well we also ate some shaved ice too!

Annie and Jody laying on the platform in the Green House (Annie in happy baby pose) (Jody relaxing by her side):

Annie:

Jamie watching the volunteers clean the Playroom…

And then she caught me taking a photo of her…

Missy came to join the being a lump party:

And why not groom while you’re there:

In the other corner Burrito was grooming Foxie and Negra was taking in the view:

When She Says Jump

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Jamie is truly an amazing person, there is a lot to her. She is always surprising us, for being a more “serious chimp” a lot of the time, I kept catching her doing silly little things throughout today. For example, we had a donor visitor group this afternoon, during which she proceeded to make each visitor try on her favorite boot. (This is not something she normally does. Normally Jamie might give them some attention, look at some shoes, and then get back to foraging.) I never know what to expect from her, which is the best part about her! But, what I can usually expect is a fierce and fearless Jamie.

Jamie wearing her boot and foraging for nuts:

Jamie staring out of the playroom on a barrel that she dragged over herself:

Jamie looking fierce:

Jamie laying on the barrel (taking a quick snooze):

Jamie was practicing her tight rope walking this morning (she picked a spot where it was hard to see her, so she could practice in private):

This is a photo of one of our visitors wearing Jamie’s favorite boots upon her request:

Bonus photos:

Negra walking onto Young’s Hill this morning:

Burrito watching over Jody:

Missy quietly foraging:

Annie sporting her sweatband on her waist and walking bipedally up the Hill:

Burrito, Jo, and Foxie hanging out on the new structure:

In memory of Ned and Noreen

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For many years a wonderful supporter from Ireland, Joan O’Flaherty, has been sponsoring two days of sanctuary annually for the chimpanzees in memory of her beloved parents, Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty. Ned and Noreen were great lovers of our fellow animals, the amazing world we share with them, and were passionate about how we can better care for and respect both. Today would have been their wedding anniversary.

Joan, thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to share in your memories and celebration of your parents. We are so touched to be part of remembering Ned and Noreen and the beautiful legacy you keep alive. They, and you, continue to make a lasting difference in the chimps’ lives. Lives that the chimps continue to grow, thrive and surprise us in every day and with each passing year.

Negra, more adventurous than ever:

Jody, whose safe heart now has room to all she loves and all those she looks out for:

Jamie and Foxie, patrolling their home, keeping their family safe, braver with each passing year:

Farmer Jo

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Jody has earned the nickname “Farmer Jo” due to her endearing habit during forages of collecting as much food as she can possibly hold and then hobbling bipedally down to the greenhouse to enjoy her spoils. She was very happy with the carrots, beets, and corn that volunteer Patti brought for lunch today.