Foxie.
chimpanzee sanctuary
Let the Festivities Begin!
Today was a perfect fall day at the sanctuary. It was chilly, but still warm enough, the leaves have started to change, and the air smells crisp outside. Fall is a favorite for us here at CSNW, especially because Jamie-ween is just around the corner. So let the count down begin! Today, to celebrate the first day of October the chimps enjoyed a pumpkin seed and dried apple forage with some nice warm tea. Later for dinner there was a special homemade treat, applesauce (or better known as mashed up apples). Our day was spent walking around Young’s Hill, grooming, napping, and savoring the last bit of the garden.
Sunflowers from our garden:
Negra napping outside in the Green House:
Jamie:
Jody peering out into the garden:
Little bit later Missy and Jamie enjoyed some kale:
And handsome Burrito:
A Lovely Face
Jody has the most expressive face. She seems to greet the world in wonder.
Late September
There’s nothing quite like a Fall forage on Young’s Hill!
Annie:
After eating his forage bounty, Burrito quietly went back out on Young’s Hill to watch the girls finish up.
Foxie:
Jamie scanning the grass for more food.
Jody was serious about carrots and kale!
Missy kept herself busy!
Negra actually stayed out for quite some time in the cool Fall breeze. Only after we felt a couple raindrops, did she hustle back inside.
Dessert for chimps
The chimpanzees have a very healthy diet consisting of primarily raw, fresh produce. In the morning they enjoy a fruit smoothie (with protein powder), two servings of fresh fruit, a handful of unsalted peanuts and their chewable vitamins. Lunch is a little bit simpler, with three servings of fresh or sometimes cooked vegetables. We end both breakfast and lunch with two small carefully portioned bags of primate chow per chimp (they enjoy small bags filled with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit for dinner). The chimps grew up eating primarily this chow, and while they love eating the fresh items we provide for them, they still really like their old standby food. This chow comes to us in the form of small dry biscuits, and is perfect for wadging mouthfuls at the end of a good meal.
Annie finishes off her lunch:
Seasons
The sanctuary is a special place. But then I probably don’t need to tell you that. We are so fortunate to watch the beauty of so many seasons come and go not only around the sanctuary grounds, but for all of us here to be able to pass through our own seasons in life in this sanctuary home.
There has been a wedding here, celebrations of all shapes and sizes, people have honored loved ones here who have passed away, and most of us spend all of our birthdays and holidays here. I was in the chimp house when I was offered my job here, I was here when I learned my heart could hold more love than I ever thought possible, and it seems that somehow I am always in the chimp house when I’ve learned of the passing of family and loved ones. And every single day we are honored and privileged to watch the winters, springs, summers and falls of the chimps’ lives unfold with never-ending surprise, adventure, joy, healing and love. We’re all so lucky, chimps and humans alike, to have this place to live out the seasons of our lives. And please know that we consider you part of it all. This special place wouldn’t exist without you.
As autumn settles in around us none of us could be happier (and I am pretty sure the chimps are as excited as the humans). We’ve been enjoying countless walks with the chimps around Young’s Hill in the cool, fresh air, harvesting pears from the orchard, climbing the apple trees and dangling precariously over the pond to reach the last of the fruit on the furthest branches, and today we harvested the very first little pumpkins from the chimps’ garden!
A Foxie-size pumpkin:
And a bonus photo of Jamie, plotting and planning, because, obviously…
So we’re celebrating seasons and all they bring to our lives tonight with an impromptu “Welcome, Autumn!” dinner party and the chimps’ are enjoying roasted onions, peppers, pears and pumpkins still warm from the oven with some extra tiny lemons and tangerines. And one of the chimps’ favorite evening enrichments, “grab bags,” filled with nuts, seeds, dried fruit and all manner of odds and ends. A favorite of Jamie’s as you will see below.
Queen Negra enjoying the first serving of the season of pumpkin:
Jody enjoying roasted onion:
Jamie with (practically) ALL the grab bags (she went through the chimp house grabbing them and tossing them over her shoulder into a pile until she was ready to go through them.):
Happy autumn, all!
Welcome Fall!
Yesterday was the first day of Fall, and like most of us, the chimps love the mild weather that comes along with it. Today we had PERFECT sunshine, a light breeze, and 65 degrees! The chimps couldn’t get enough, each taking advantage of the weather in their own way.
Multiple long walks were taken by all (except Negra) out on Young’s Hill. Annie, Missy and Jamie were particularly voracious with their outdoor exploration:
Annie:
Missy:
Missy and Annie:
Jamie:
Foxie was in a silly sunny mood. Lately she has been toting around a cheerful purple haired doll. This morning while I was giving my attention to Jamie at the door to the play room, I looked up and saw the doll spiraling towards my head. Foxie had dropped it on me playfully, but without her usual warning.
Rain that poured earlier in the week brought new green grass and plants to the sanctuary. The fresh shoots seemed to be motivation enough for Negra, Burrito, and Jody to spend a little time outdoors as well.
Negra:
