Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
This morning’s rain melted more snow so that we can see big patches of ground underneath. It won’t be long before the thought of snow is a distant memory and new green grass comes shooting up for the chimps to enjoy. Until then, we will have to enjoy a few throwback photos from April 2016.
Three chimpanzees that are big fans of spring:
Negra
Jody:
Foxie:
If Jamie is wearing a giant play face and laughing loudly, chances are that Foxie has something to do with it.
The chimpanzees share their home with a variety of native Washington wildlife. You just never quite know what you might see around the sanctuary on any given day!
While cleaning the playroom today we spotted two chimps enjoying each others company in the nice warm sun. Negra and Foxie were laughing, play slapping, grabbing each others toes, play biting, and of course grooming. You couldn’t ask for better company! Jamie quietly observed from above. She was curious but never joined in, just monitored.
Bonus photos!
Jamie:
Jamie watching Negra and Foxie play:
Negra and Foxie:
Jamie was very disappointed about this snow storm today… So much so that she wouldn’t let anyone else have any fun…
What it looked like outside (two bald eagles in the background):
Volunteer Lizz trying to play with Burrito:
Jamie moved her nest from Room 3 to the Playroom to let Lizz know to stop playing with Burrito:
Jamie laid on the barrel with her boots on her belly:
Jamie holding her boots:
Lady J:
Don’t worry though! The day was still full of grooming and (quiet) silly play among the chimps, just not with humans. Jamie received new boots later in the day and was very pleased to say the least!
Boss Jamie has a long list of (mostly) self-imposed duties, including (but not limited to) monitoring the whereabouts and activity of all living beings on her domain. No matter where she is, she always knows where you are.
She’s also responsible for ensuring strict compliance with all rules and protocols. She oversees all volunteer training. This afternoon she showed Level III trainee Caroline how we groom.
Constant vigilance can be tiring, so she allows herself short breaks before resuming her work.
Foxie often plays pretty rough with her dolls, quite different than she would probably treat a real infant. She will throw them, smack them and bite them one minute, and be hugging and grooming them the next. We may never know why Foxie likes certain dolls so much, but we do know that she doesn’t seem to feel any of that same affection for stuffed primate dolls.
