Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Communication

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We often refer to one of the chimpanzees “asking” us for something – Jamie frequently asks us for a cowgirl boot, Foxie for a troll doll, etc.  Luckily for us, the absence of speech does not always impede communication.  The chimps have a wide array of behaviors they use to get our attention: foot stomps, head slaps, claps, raspberry sounds, and head nods, to name a few.  Jamie is a stomper, while Foxie and Missy usually employ a vigorous head nod when they want something. 

In this video, taken right after the chimps were given access to the freshly cleaned playroom, Foxie spies an unclaimed Brazil nut.  She’s hesitant to grab it since boss Jamie is sitting nearby, so she makes sure to “ask” Jamie’s permission first.

Face washing

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Annie has so many endearing habits and pastimes. Some of my favorites are seen in the video of this blog, including her “bird noises” and the way she lays on her back and claps her feet. I also love to see her in her “yoga poses”. As if all of that wasn’t adorable enough, she has recently found yet another adorable habit. Over the last few months (especially when we were regularly giving the chimps bottled water due to the Taylor Bridge Fire) I’ve seen her occasionally fill her mouth with water, lay on her back and spit the water into the air or in her hand so she can rub it all over her face. Today I caught her lounging in the greenhouse “cleaning her face” after running around on Young’s Hill with Missy. Seems like the perfect refresher.

Annie

Annie

Annie

Annie

Annie

The greatest staff meeting ever

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Today at the end of our staff meeting, Jamie started stomping in the playroom loft. As we’ve figured out, this seems to mean “please put on one of my boots and chase me around the hill.” We thought it would be fun if we ALL played this game with her. As we all started walking out there, Jamie’s hair stood straight on end and she ran so fast out to meet us—she was so excited! It was a lot of fun, and probably the best staff meeting we’ve ever had. I think Jamie would agree.

Chimps’ Choice- “Once Again” Peanut Butter

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The Cle Elum Seven absolutely love peanut butter. We have traditionally purchased large containers of Adam’s Peanut Butter at Costco, however we are trying to steer clear of salt, especially with Burrito’s heart condition. So, we found a new (to me) brand that comes in 9lb tubs on Amazon called “Once Again”. I’ve added it to our wishlist. Even though we use peanut butter for all sorts of things, I think 9lbs will last us a pretty long time so we only need one tub for now but I thought I would make it a challenge for you! The first person to purchase it will receive a special package from me, which will include a photo of the chimp of your choice. Check out our wishlist (http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=wish_list) and be sure to email me ([email protected]) to let me know your chimp preference!

Annie licking peanut butter out of a kong, one of the Cle Elum Seven’s favorite activities:
Annie

Jamie licking the peanut butter off of a celery stick:
Jamie

Missy using a tool to fish peanut butter out of the tubes in the treat rock:
Missy

Jody cleaning the last bit out of a plastic peanut butter jar:
Jody

Happenings on the hill

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We’ve had a fun day on Young’s Hill today. JB installed the sign on Negra’s Cabin, and of course Jamie had to inspect JB’s handiwork:web jamie testing negra's cabin sign burrito inside blankets nests yh.

web jamie climbing yh cabin sign jody burrito

Finding no problems, Jamie went on to have a great time with good friend Foxie. First they played chase all over the Hill, then they played chase through the cabin panels:

web jamie foxie play through negra's cabin panels yh

Then Jamie ushered Foxie along a stroll around the Hill:

web jamie arm on foxie walking together yh enrichment in mouth eye contact with camera

And when it was time to come in to the greenhouse for lunch, Jamie shared her excitement with a kiss:

web jamie kiss foxie yh bedhead walking skateboard troll enrichment eye contact with camera

Breakfast al fresco

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We posted this morning that supporter Vicky Miller sponsored today for the chimpanzees.  To celebrate Vicky’s day, and to take advantage of today’s beautiful sunny weather, we set up a breakfast forage in the greenhouse.  Meals at CSNW are served in one of two ways: a caregiver can serve food to one chimp at a time through the fencing (like this), or we can scatter a food forage in the chimps’ enclosure.  The chimps really love forages, and we love them too because we’re always looking for ways to encourage the chimps to express species-specific behavior (basically, letting the chimps do what chimps do naturally).  This morning’s forage consisted of some favorites: fresh pineapple and pears, peanuts, and fruit smoothie in Dixie cups.

Missy:

web Missy eat smoothie cup breakfast forage greenhouse GH IMG_4355

web Missy hold smoothie cup breakfast forage greenhouse GH IMG_4406

web Missy eat pear look at camera breakfast forage greenhouse GH IMG_4360

Jamie:

web Jamie lick smoothie cup breakfast forage greenhouse GH IMG_4403

Foxie:

web Foxie close up chow in mouth breakfast forage greenhouse GH IMG_4397

Thanks again to Vicky for making this day special!