Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Icicle season

December 19, 2021 by Sam Jones

Negra, with Jamie behind her, was the first one by the door today when I gave her group access to Young’s Hill. She spent a good amount of time enjoying handfuls of snow!

Jamie, Annie, and Foxie getting their turn for some snow.

After we cleaned the seven’s playroom we filled up one of their tubs with snow and put some icicles in it. We had to to tell volunteer Lisa to save some for the chimps, since she wanted to eat it all.

After the chimpanzees got access back to the playroom Jamie was the first one to the tub of goodies.

The chimps on the other side of the building also got to enjoy some icicles and snow.

Gordo was first to investigate.

He picked up some icicles, but then went straight for the snow.

Rayne also came over to grab some icicles.

Snow was slowly melting and sliding down the roof of the Greenhouse and Cy was keeping an eye on it.

In the other Greenhouse Honey B was ready for a game of chase.

Bonus photos from after breakfast this morning.

Negra with her oranges.

Burrito with a mouth full of chow.

We have lots of fun things on our Amazon wish list for the Holidays! If you are interested you can check it out here!

Playing Chase with Gordo

December 18, 2021 by Diana

Gordo’s playful side is really coming out! And he continues to enjoy the never-ending trough of snow.

Christmas in sight

December 16, 2021 by Anna

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just a little over a week away! This morning, Caregiver Kelsi moved one of the fresh Christmas trees into the mechanical room for the chimps’ viewing pleasure. Each chimpanzee group will get a decorated tree complete with presents underneath for their holiday party next week. If you are interested in contributing to the chimps’ seasonal joy, check out our Amazon Wish List!

Cy peruses a magazine with Dora snuggled in next to him.

Bonus! Negra and her breakfast pomegranate.

CSI: Chimp House

December 15, 2021 by Sofia Castro-Loza

One of the many reasons why chimpanzees should never be pets is their natural destructive behavior. On the daily basis we enter enclosures for cleaning and find destroyed toys, ripped blankets, broken night time enrichment, and on many occasions stuffed animals with severed limbs and stuffing coming out. This is why we follow rigorous rules that dictate the type enrichment and toys that each group is allowed to have. Ranging from choking hazards, to possible obstructions if ingested each item is checked by at least two caregivers before the item is placed inside an enclosure to ensure that the chimpanzees, as individuals and as groups will be safe. Every item that is placed inside is potentially going to be destroyed, and sometimes we encounter crime scenes that may never be solved. I mean we could, we can just watch security footage, but working around mysteries is more intriguing.

Case #1

First on the scene: Special Agent de Bree

Victim: Stuffed teddy bear

Cause of death: Severe stuffingloss by limb amputation and decapitation. Strangulation has not been ruled out.

Location: Greenhouse 1

Evidence collected: Plaid ribbon scarf

Case #2

First on the scene: Special Agent Castro-Loza

Victim: Stuffed tiger

Cause of death: Severe stuffingloss by amputation of left hind leg and tail.

Location: Front Room 3

Evidence collected: Unopened pumpkin seed

Number of suspects: 7

But three individuals matched our previous offense data base. Jamie, Annie, and Burrito are on the top of the suspect list pending investigation and forensic analysis.

Jamie de-stuffing a lion

Click here to access our Amazon Wish List with an assortment of approved enrichment. The Holiday list is up!!!

Click here to view our Enrichment Database.

Snow Diggity

December 13, 2021 by Anthony

With just over a week to go before the winter solstice, our valley is already in the midst of this year’s first big snowstorm.

The accumulating slush doesn’t seem to be bothering the chimps too much, though. On one side of the building, Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra have been scarfing down handfuls of delicious wet snow. (It must be nice to have one of your favorite foods literally falling from the sky).

On the other side, Cy, Dora, Gordo, Honey B, Lucky, Mave, Rayne, Terry and Willy B are also enjoying cozy naps, working on food puzzles, and spending quality time with their respective group members, but they’re still “warming up” to the concept of eating snow. Fortunately, their taste for this Pacific Northwest delicacy is slowly developing; Gordo and Rayne already seem to relish the frozen treat!

Chad took this photo of Gordo inhaling a snowball this morning:

Of all the chimps who live in the new wing, only Honey B has bravely utilized the newly-enclosed greenhouses today. When I unlocked the Chimp House this morning, she was out there to meet me for a game of chase. There’s nothing like a bout of “the zoomies” to keep your caregivers sharp on slushy winter mornings!

Grooming with friends

December 12, 2021 by Sam Jones

The chimps were all warm and cozy inside this morning and most were taking some after breakfast naps. Not Rayne and Terry though! They were having quite the grooming session. Terry was very gently grooming Rayne’s face with his lips. Anthony happened to spot this and I rushed to get the camera. This went on for a long time and they groomed on and off. What a perfect way to groom when your stomach is full from breakfast!

Cy waiting for us to put out some new magazines for him to read.

Dora resting on one of the wooden toys.

On the other side of the building Katelyn was on snow treat duty! The chimpanzees in Negra’s group were lined up in the front rooms waiting for Katelyn to bring them lots of snow! Foxie’s snow had a special treat waiting in it.