Burrito demonstrates the many uses of knee-high rainbow tube socks. The chimps receive a selection of enrichment each day and sometimes they make a few non-traditional style choices.
chimpanzee sanctuary
In memory of Ron and Betty Kreuscher
This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Ronalyn Huenergard and she shared this message about today:
“This donation is in memory of my parents, Ron and Betty Kreuscher on their wedding anniversary. They were very proud of their 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.”
Ronalyn, thank you so much for adding to the chimpanzees’ lives in memory of your parents. All of us here send you and your family good thoughts and hope this day is filled with comfort, joy and love as you celebrate Ron and Betty and the memories you hold dear. We so appreciate you holding the chimps in your heart.
Good friends, Burrito and Jody:
Outdoor sanctuary
Cooler temperatures at the sanctuary mean more frequent (and fast paced) walks on Young’s Hill!
Space and time
Initially, Annie had no use for her party yesterday. While everyone else partied in the greenhouse Annie promptly bypassed the indoor festivities and ventured outside to Young’s Hill all on her own. She took her time foraging and scooped up most of everything that was out there, enjoying it all at her own pace. It was amazing to watch her sitting out there enjoying her celebration in peace and solitude.
If you’ve been following the blog for awhile you may know that Annie hasn’t always been so comfortable in her own skin. I think of all the chimps, her change over the last nine years in sanctuary is one of the most apparent. I still remember so clearly the early days after the chimps gained access to their outdoor enclosure and one day I watched Annie, sitting in the raceway to the hill wanting so badly to be with her best friend Missy who was zipping and zooming around out there with ease. Annie’s eyes were glued to Missy as she rocked with anxiety awaiting her return to the greenhouse.
It was heart wrenching to watch those moments. But of course, we trusted that Annie would find the courage to move forward in her own space and time. That’s one of the most beautiful things about sanctuary. Space and time. Space and time for each of the chimps to heal. Space and time for each of their battered souls to come back to them and explore, learn and remember who they are. After nine years in sanctuary, each of the chimps continue to surprise us every single day with their brave, daring, curious, creative, intelligent and beautiful selves.
What a gift that is. For all of us who have the privilege to watch them, and most importantly, for each of the chimps who with each passing day/week/month/year get to celebrate being their own person. However that looks.
Annie feet:
Bonus Negra photo from the party because, well, that face!:
Going Through the Archives
Thought I’d share a few photos from the last few weeks at the sanctuary.
Jody relaxing in the playroom:
Jamie surveying Young’s Hill from the top platform in the greenhouse:
Firefighters from the Jolly Mountain Fire presenting Jamie with her own pair of firefighting boots:
Missy discovering a tomato stash during a lunch forage on Young’s Hill:
Burrito:
Annie:
Annie’s hand holding some bell peppers:
Negra eating an onion on Young’s Hill:
Foxie with Dora:
Hot, sleepy and silly
Burrito was curled up in the corner of the greenhouse this afternoon sooo hot and sooo sleepy. In-between barely being able to keep his eyes open, he intermittently somehow found time to still be adorable without having to get up or really move outside of spinning around on his back to face the opposite direction. But adorable, this guy has down. We know that.
Yawning while looking for something to play bite:
Found his toes to bite:
The classic play face/play bite:
Planning and modifying
Jamie is an extremely adept tool user.
