chimpanzee sanctuary

Morning Exercise

January 29, 2019 by Elizabeth

When Anna opened the door to Young’s Hill this morning, the chimpanzees couldn’t get out there fast enough. It’s a crisp, sunny morning – the perfect weather for exploring outside with your friends.

Foxie, Annie (kissing Foxie’s hand), and Missy:

Negra, who usually prefers the warmth of her nest, got out and found a little snow to eat:

Annie soaked up the sun:

Missy:

Jody took in the view from her favorite spot:

Foxie’s priority was to lick as much frost as she could get her tongue on:

Burrito:

Jamie (with Annie in foreground):

The beauty of a mid-winter’s day

January 28, 2019 by Katelyn

It was glorious this morning. Glittery, frost covered fields under cerulean skies, hawk cries sailing through the air and beautiful chimpanzees with sunlit hearts.

Foxie, Dora and Annie. Guh! My heart!….

Burrito mid foot stomp, Foxie and Annie:

Beautiful Jody soaking in the sun as she watches over her family:

Burrito back to sit near Jody:

A Subtle Hint from Jamie

January 26, 2019 by Diana

Last week, you may recall that I had a difficult time choosing a subject for a blog post. Well, here’s an explanation of one of the reasons why.

The enrichment theme for that day was “reading day” and Jamie took that to heart.

She seemed particularly enamored with a Dwell magazine. I even saw her gather up the magazine when she was moving from the front rooms to the playroom.

We see the chimpanzees carry blankets from one space to another and their favorite things (dolls for Foxie, boots for Jamie, wooden or plastic objects for Burrito), but it was the first time I’ve seen a chimpanzee so deliberately take a magazine that wasn’t smeared with peanut butter into a new space.

I didn’t get a sense that it was any particular page that she was interested in, as she carefully and thoroughly looked through the entire magazine:

Included in the reading day was a large catalog full of all sorts of products. When I went into the playroom in the evening to spot clean one last time, I found the catalog on the catwalk opened to this page:

Did boot-loving Jamie purposely leave the catalog for me to find, hinting at a future gift idea?

More joy!

January 25, 2019 by Anna

What’s your favorite play move in this video? I’m partial to the “Drag a Sitting Missy.” Second place would probably have to go to “Squish a Sitting Missy.”

Missy’s Rumination

January 24, 2019 by Diana

When presented with an edible landscape, what is one to do?

Perhaps first, a moment of reflection:

And then a careful up-close contemplation:

And, finally, a decision:

Happy Birthday, Jaclyn!

January 24, 2019 by Katelyn

From the lovely heart of Jaclyn Sinclair:

“In honor of all the Schipperkes which my husband and I have rescued over the years. For my birthday this year, I am sponsoring a day of sanctuary in the hopes that the Cle Elum 7 will live as long and as joyful a life as I have had, and that the expansion will soon benefit more chimps still confined to laboratories.”

Thank you so much for sharing your heart and special day with the chimpanzees, Jaclyn! All of us here wish you the most beautiful of days! Happy Birthday!

Beautiful, beloved, Annie:

Feel the joy!

January 23, 2019 by Anna

Today was filled from top to bottom with sunshine (prime weather for wrestling in the greenhouse). One window in particular was the hot spot made popular by Missy and Foxie who had a wild game going that included multiple play partners.

Missy (back) with Foxie (front):