Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Enriching Jamie

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Caregiver Debbie recently ordered a new food puzzle for the chimpanzees. She just got one of them for now so we could make sure it was chimp-proof (safe and sturdy) and up to Jamie’s standards. Since Jamie’s mind is always three steps ahead, she’s hard to keep enriched. One of our daily priorities is finding projects and puzzles that challenge or entertain her. If something keeps her occupied for a few minutes, we consider it a success!

The new food puzzle was a success, as you’ll see in this video.

The simple things

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This afternoon I went out to see who might be in the greenhouse and I found this good looking guy (Burrito, if you are new the the blog!) just hanging out:

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Burrito often becomes shy when the camera comes out but he remained pretty calm and nonchalant, until…

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I pointed out a lone potato that had been left over from lunch. The look on his face is as if to say, “WHAT?! A potato?!” (Notice that precision focus):

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After a quick scan of the greenhouse to make sure no one was watching, he silently swung down, grabbed the potato, and took it back to the top platform to gaze at adoringly and enjoy:

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The simple things in life. I am always thankful to the chimpanzees for reminding me to appreciate the little things.

Chimp ID: Negra

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Today we conclude our series of blog posts on chimpanzee identification with Negra. (If you missed the posts about Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, or Missy, click on their names.)

Negra is the oldest of the chimps at the sanctuary, and because of her wise and regal air, we call her our Queen. Negra has a mostly dark face with white freckles on her chin and in her ears:

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She is missing the top half of her left ear:

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She has more bottom lip than she knows what to do with:

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She’s a big lady with an ample belly:

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Here you can see how her girth compares with Jody’s:

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She loves to relax with a blanket draped over her head:

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And she worships the sun:

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Jamie Chimpanzee’s Hallowbirthday 2013

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At Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest we take parties pretty seriously, and on this day, we have two occasions to celebrate: Halloween and Jamie’s 36th birthday. Consequently, we went a little wild with the festivities today.

The chimpanzees are lucky to have some really great friends, and today we want to thank three of them in particular for making the day so special. Supporter Jayne Roepke mailed us several boxes full of the most fun and creative enrichment for today’s party (and treated the chimps to some delicious and festive party food!); Lisa Stuverud sponsored today in Jamie’s honor; and volunteer caregiver Stephanie brought some more party decorations, food, and enrichment, including this hand-carved birthday/Halloween pumpkin:

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The pumpkin was the star of the show, as you’ll see in the video below. But first, some photos of the party this morning.

Negra with a gift bag:

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and with a chunk of the giant pumpkin:

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Jody enjoying some cran-pomegranate juice:

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and deconstructing one of the cute ghost pinatas that Jayne sent:

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Jody also loved the giant pumpkin:

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Foxie with the giant pumpkin (are you sensing a theme?):

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Burrito taking a brief break from foraging:

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Annie drinking some juice:

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And if you’re wondering about Jamie, the birthday girl, she thoroughly enjoyed the festivities. Here she is looking cool with a party straw:

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foraging for berries:

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inspecting some new presents:

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and treating herself to a “martini”:

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One of the highlights of the day was watching the chimps dig into the pumpkin. They all eventually had their turns at it, but Negra was the first to enjoy the spoils.

If you’re signed up to receive our e-newsletter, you know that we’re holding a competition to see which chimpanzee can get the most Chimpanzee Pals by the end of the year. Wish Jamie a happy 36th birthday by signing up to be her Pal today!

Happy Jamieween, everyone!

Thank you, Lisa!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Lisa Stuverud in honor of Jamie’s (honorary) 36th birthday! Lisa shared these lovely sentiments:

“This day is for my girl Jamie who has taught me and my wonderful husband so much about patience, hope, forgiveness, strength, resilience and survival, not to mention unconditional love!! Literally, the best things in my life I have learned from Jamie and of course everyone at CSNW that works for her 🙂 !! Happy Hallowbirthdayween Jamie !!! And many many more!!”

Lisa, thank you so much for making Jamie’s day extra special for her and all the chimpanzees! As preparations get under way, today’s “Hallow-birthday-ween” extravaganza has all of the primates here at CSNW pretty excited! Be sure to check back later today for all the party happenings!

Here is Jamie at a past party with her incredible birthday-ween pumpkin:

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Funny faces and beautiful faces

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I love how expressive chimpanzees are. In their emotions, gestures, movements, vocalizations and facial expressions they communicate exactly how they are feeling every moment with a complete lack of self consciousness or pretense. I am mesmerized when watching the chimpanzees and studying their individual characteristics (I just realized today that Jamie has adorable freckles in her ears!) And here are two amazing faces I never tire of looking at, whether funny or just plain beautiful.

Funny Foxie (while this looks a little fierce, she is actually yawning):

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Foxie just being her beautiful self.

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Funny Annie with a mouth full of water:

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Annie just being her beautiful self:

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Forest

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I love seeing the chimps on Young’s Hill with the forest as a backdrop. Though we can never return them to the wild, we can give them the next best thing. After living decades in the lab, I imagine it must feel pretty great to have open air, sunshine, and blue sky overhead. And the view isn’t too bad either.

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