Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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chimpanzee sanctuary

The Path to a New Day

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As the snow continued to come down this morning as staff arrived, we were prepared for another snowy day.

A view of the Twister from the top of Young’s Hill covered in snow.

We were anticipating a full day of snow as the forecast had predicted. Luckily enough, we caught a break! By early afternoon, the sun broke free of it’s clouded prison and started to warm the cold air outside.

The sun allowed staff the perfect opportunity to shovel pathways to the structures on Young’s Hill, to give the chimpanzees the option for easier access to the hill.

Though the option was presented to them, they all decided to stay indoors or in the Greenhouse.

Burrito was ready to play chase with staff and waited patiently for us to get done cleaning.
Negra was just ready for dinner.

Mave spent a lot of time playing with huge strips of paper.

Once she noticed me, she stopped playing and decided to play it cool as though nothing was happening.

We consider ourselves very fortunate our residents are currently in their nests and about to go to sleep during this cold snap. However, Primarily Primates located in Texas is in need of local, emergency help. They have lost power and are currently trying evacuate some of their residents while trying to care for those still in place. If you live in the San Antonio, TX area or know someone who is, who can safely deliver some of these much needed items, please do if you can. As caregivers of some amazing individuals, our thoughts and hearts go out to Primarily Primates’ caregivers and their amazing residents during this difficult time.

Valentine’s Thank You Video

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Enjoy your day tomorrow!

As the video above expresses, everyone here is incredibly grateful and honored that you choose to spend your time on this blog and thinking about the chimpanzees and bovines at the sanctuary.

I received an unexpected call today about a Valentine’s Day gift that I will be sharing tomorrow to e-news subscribers!

In the meantime, the news from the day is that Burrito has a new favorite toy. Another gift from Trees for Tigers! Below are a couple of photos and I posted a short video clip on our Instagram account.

Let’s All Go To The Movies

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As staff training still continues, we didn’t want to leave the chimpanzees without much to do while we continue to progress our PRT program. So today we decided to throw them something fun. Today was “Let’s Go To The Movies Day.” We put out some ticket rolls and bags of popcorn to munch on.

Negra was really into the little bags of popcorn. She grabbed several bags all to herself.

Though Jamie grabbed several bags herself initially, something else caught her eye.

The Ticket Rolls!

Ticket rolls have been becoming a favorite with both groups. Honey B, Mave, and Willy B were given some earlier last year and almost became and instant hit. The Group of Seven were also given some during Christmas. If you look closely, you could see some. After Christmas, we there were several nests found with tickets, and some that seemed they were made entirely out of tickets. When the ticket rolls were spotted, Jamie immediately went to work to unroll them.

Honey B loved her bags of popcorn and grabbed as many as she could.

Willy B also wanted some.

Mave decided not to participate in today’s activities. But here are some photos of her eating lunch on her makeshift table from Sunday.

Pardon the Interruption

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Today, staff will be under going training this afternoon. We are hoping to analyze and enhance our positive reinforcement training program since we are always trying to find ways to better ourselves as caregivers to provide the best care we can for the chimpanzees and cattle. Positive reinforcement training (PRT) is a cooperative health monitoring program which the chimpanzees present different body parts for caregivers to inspect and track. More recently, PRT has helped us with daily temperature checks with all the residents during times of a pandemic. With training scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for the next few weeks, it may be difficult for us to develop a blog, though we will try within the best of our abilities!

For today though, please enjoy these photos from Sunday of the grooming party Mave, Honey B, and Willy B had!

And a bonus photo of Jody during breakfast this morning.

Photographs of the Day

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Saturday is the end of the week for some of the staff, while others return from their weekend on Sunday. I’m in the latter group.

As the person responsible for the blog on Sundays (the beginning of my work week), I often gravitate towards whatever topics have been touched on in the previous day’s blog. It isn’t always intentional, but I do notice that it naturally happens more often than not. Hopefully, all of you blog followers don’t mind getting two related posts in just as many days.

Yesterday, Diana shared “Video Clips of the Day“, a fantastic blog entry that consisted of a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Therefore, of course, I’m giving you all “Photographs of the Day”, which is essentially the same concept but with still images instead of filmed content.

Just like the clips in yesterday’s video, the pictures aren’t all from today. However, you may be assured to know that some of these photos are from this dreary winter day, while the rest are quite recent. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this evening’s post and have a great week!

 

The view of the Yakima River and train tracks near the sanctuary:

 

Icicles hanging from the Chimp House roof:

 

Willy B looking down at the snow, then looking at me as if I have the magical power to make it instantly go away:

 

Honey B supervising the construction of her new playrooms:

 

Mave using the same windows to groom her toes:

 

Jamie strolling on the Hill (sorry about the bad focus!):

 

The view from the sanctuary driveway:

 

3/4 of the Moo Crew:

 

Nutmeg:

 

Meredith:

 

Betsy:

 

Honey (apparently also known as “Honey Buns”):

 

Lunch in the cattle barn:

 

Burrito:

 

A closeup of Burrito’s toes:

 

Burrito’s plush monkey friend (featured in yesterday’s video) being incrementally dragged into the chimp enclosure through a food chute and then leisurely disemboweled by seven VERY enriched chimpanzees:

 

Barn Kitty’s tracks in the snow (black-and-white version):

We’re hiring! Part 2: Looking for that special Vet Tech!

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In my blog last week I had the pleasure to announce that we are hiring 2 more staff members to join our team this spring! In case you missed it, here is a link to the Full-Time Chimpanzee Caregiver position description.  Along with the caregiver position, we are also looking for someone that can take on a unique role at the sanctuary. We are looking for a Vet Tech that also wants to be a chimpanzee caregiver!

In addition to the the extensive job duties of “caregiver,” the current staff at the sanctuary each take on different roles within our organization. Our individualized roles are determined based on prior experience and current sanctuary needs (long time blog followers might notice that some staff roles have changed over the years). Veterinary technician skills are something we are looking for to enhance our team and assist our amazing veterinarian Dr. Zamzow, particularly in emergency medical procedures.

Help us spread the word about this exciting new opportunity!

Coniferous Cold Cabbage

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It began snowing on Sunday and hasn’t really stopped since. Though it hasn’t been a heavy snowfall, it’s enough for it to start to feel like winter finally is here after several bouts of warm weather. When the caregivers began to arrive at the sanctuary in the morning, they were greeted by something to remind them it is indeed near to end of January and still winter.

This is one of the Christmas trees that has been adorning the outside of the Chimp House. As some of you know, it’s somewhat of a tradition to plant the trees that decorate the enclosures for the chimpanzees’ Christmas celebration on Young’s Hill when the weather is better. Until then, it sits right outside the door.

While the conditions outside thwarted any ambitions of going outside today (though they did have access to go outside), they seemed pretty content inside the warm indoor enclosures.

After cleaning was done, Willy B, Mave, and Honey B were treated to some cabbage that was spread out in their enclosure.

After lunch, Mave and Willy B spent most of their afternoon grooming.

Honey B was busy supervising the construction workers and couldn’t be bothered with grooming or most photos today.

Meanwhile on the other side, while most of the Seven were cozy in their nests all day, there was one individual who had a lot of energy he had to burn through.

There was a good game of chase between him and I from the Greenhouse doors to the door that leads to Young’s Hill. If you’ve seen J.B.’s post a couple of weeks ago, then you know this route. A common question we get is why does Burrito ask for snow from caregivers when we can just grab it himself during winter? We don’t really know why, but let’s be honest, who wouldn’t like a hand delivered caregiver made, artisan snowball?

Plus, we, as caregivers, have a hard time deflecting Burrito’s charm when he asks for his zero-calorie treat.

With the weather seemingly on different ends of the spectrum lately, who knows what tomorrow may hold. Though Burrito may hope it holds more hands full of snow.

Stay warm, friends!