Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Sunday Stroll

February 27, 2022 by Sam Jones

There was a break in the clouds this afternoon and most everyone in Jamie’s group was outside making their way around Young’s Hill. I sat for awhile enjoying watching them all over the hill and climbing on all the structures. Negra was not far away, but was in the Greenhouse surrounded by blankets in a nice big blanket nest.

Jamie on Young’s Hill.

Missy enjoying time on the hill.

Jody found some pine to snack on.

Annie and Burrito walking around Young’s Hill together.

Foxie waiting for everyone to come back towards the Greenhouse.

Katelyn got this photo of Jamie all comfy in her nest this morning!

On the other side of the chimp house Honey B was ready to have her photo taken.

Willy B was enjoying the peanuts he got from the daytime enrichment.

I was very impressed with how Cy was getting raisins out of the raisin boards.

Dora and Rayne were making good use of the big wolf blanket.

Rayne later in the afternoon.

Here for the Show

February 26, 2022 by Diana

Burrito spends a lot of his time spying on the neighbors, especially when said neighbors are in the Chute, which is close to his playroom’s windows. But he can even get glimpses of other chimps when they are in Lupine playroom.

What was catching his attention this afternoon was a lot of displaying from both of the other groups.

You probably know Cy by now as more of the quiet bookish type, but he’s also a large male chimpanzee who is more than capable of putting on an impressive display:

It’s not clear if Burrito wishes he were in the mix or is merely entertained/enriched by focusing on the goings-on of the other groups.

He’s certainly not the only one.

Missy was also keeping a close eye on things this afternoon, bounding up and down as a greeting when she glimpsed Terry in the Chute.

While we won’t be doing any introductions with Burrito’s group in the near future, it’s clear just having neighbors has added a very enriching element to their lives.

The Right Idea

February 23, 2022 by Kelsi

Jamie always has the right idea. She is a perfect planner and executor. Whether her plan is using tools to work on food puzzles, modifying enrichment for her own construction project, maneuvering a human do what she wants, implementing optimum forage strategies, selecting boots/books of her liking, or creative fort building, Jamie has the organization skills to do it all!

Yesterday, as I was serving dinner, Jamie stepped off her chair with a handful of food and began using it as a table. We often see Jamie convert her chair into a table! It’s perfect because she can keep her food in sight, spread it all out, and it’s at the perfect eating height. I love the way she can be so tactical. Jamie just has a beautiful mind.

Bonus photos!

Today I accidentally simulated a hot summers day because I forgot to turn the our greenhouse heater off mid-morning. However, no one seemed to be complaining!

Twosday

February 22, 2022 by Sofia Castro-Loza

The weather over here went from full blown Winter, to false Spring, and then back to cold with a chance of snow very quickly. We did not get any snow today, but the day has been chilly, windy, and gloomy. The sun made a brief appearance during the morning and the greenhouses got packed with chimps enjoying their warm spaces. Between the Oakwood and Riverview greenhouses, Cy and Willy B displayed back to back through a viewpoint where both groups can see each other. The displays lasted a few minutes and then they both joined their groups for grooming sessions.

Once the sun hid behind the clouds, most of the chimps went inside to rest in cozy nests. Burrito, though, did not mind the weather and requested two non-stop runs around the hill with caregiver Chad. Jamie felt the same way and made me sprint the entire way around the hill. Cardio for the day: Done.

Last Friday our very own Barn Kitty AKA B.K. made his way back to the Sanctuary grounds! During the Winter he tends to leave for an unknown amount of time and it is always very exciting to see him come back to us. Here he is:

Dora high up in the platforms of Oakwood greenhouse

Mave soaking in the few rays of sunshine that made it through today

Willy B on the platform across from Mave in Riverview greenhouse

Cy going through some magazines

Rayne nesting while wrapped in a pride flag

Gordo mid-inspection of a magazine

Rayneception

February 21, 2022 by Anthony

For weeks now, I’ve been bringing my camera with me when I walk between the two new greenhouses (Oakwood and Riverview) in hopes of catching someone looking through the canvas flaps that separate those areas from the indoor playrooms. The concept formed when I saw Rayne pause there a while back and thought the rectangular doorway framed her face nicely. Sadly, I did not have my camera with me at the time, but Rayney had already inspired (or incepted?) the idea into my mind.

This afternoon, Rayne unknowingly made me a happy photographer. (I’d say she made me a happy caregiver, but she does that everyday regardless.) I was walking by the greenhouses and trawling for blog material when she popped her head out to see what I was up to. Rayne calmly paused in the doorway, gently lifted the curtains, and peered out into the greenhouses to see if there was any activity worthy of her time. I cheerfully snapped a few shots, excited that my vision for a composition had actually manifested itself into a real photo. I might need to do a little editing to make the image look the way I think it should, but Rayne clearly did most of the work here.

As I was transferring the image file to the desktop computer we use for blogging, I found some other photos of Rayne that I don’t remember sharing here before. I hope her tender, inquisitive demeanor comes through in the photos!

Day Bags

February 18, 2022 by Anna

Recently, due to a presumed supply chain issue, we ran out of primate chow and have been unable to order more (for the time being). Primate chow is a fortified biscuit that the chimps enjoy at the end of their breakfast and lunch meal services. It is a treasured final course for most of the chimpanzees so we needed to come up with a few temporary substitutions that would satisfy some expectant people that are HIGHLY familiar with our meal routine. Enter “Day Bags.” Day bags are similar to night bags (popcorn, peanuts and seeds -minus the dried fruit) and seem to please even the most avid chow enthusiast.

*Bonus footage at the end of this video of a beautiful sun filled adventure around Young’s Hill!