Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee sanctuary

In honor of World Chimpanzee Day!

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Today is World Chimpanzee Day! And this amazing day was sponsored by Erin Yuhas and her incredible colleagues at Hartford Healthcare Medical Group Norwich! Erin shared this wonderful message about their generous gifts for the chimpanzees:

“Our medical office wears “Jeans for a Cause” every Friday and my cause for the month of June was your sanctuary and these special chimps. Together we raised over $300 and, in addition to sponsoring a day, we also sent the chimps many items from their wish list–including tons of blankets for nests! With all of us having worked in the medical field for many years, we can appreciate all these chimps went through in the name of science. I was happy to be able to share my knowledge of chimps and of your sanctuary with my coworkers helping to create awareness. I’m not sure my coworkers really liked my fact sheets and quiz, though! (This made us smile, Erin! 🙂 ). Thank you for all you do for these beautiful chimps and for the ones still to come!”

To everyone at Hartford Healthcare Medical Group Norwich, thank you so much for your generous hearts, your willingness to share your knowledge of, and learn more about, chimpanzees! You couldn’t have chosen a more perfect day to sponsor. Always, but especially during these uncertain times we all face, your support means the world to us, and most importantly, to the chimpanzees. From our hearts to yours, thank you!

You can learn more about this special day and hear a message from Dr. Jane Goodall here: “July 14, 1960, is the day Dr. Jane Goodall first stepped foot in what is now Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, to study wild chimpanzees. In honor of humankind’s closest living relative, World Chimpanzee Day is a celebration of chimpanzees and an opportunity to raise awareness about the vital need for worldwide participation in their care, protection, and conservation in the wild and in captivity.”

Jamie:

Jody:

Mave:

Annie, Missy, Foxie and Jody:

Honey B:

Burrito and Negra:

Willy B:

Raspberry Days

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There are many reasons to love summers in the Pacific Northwest. One of my favorites is something that the chimpanzees also enjoy: an abundance of native berries to snack on.

The raspberry bushes that flank the Chimp House are not new. They were planted many moons ago and have been maintained by dedicated staff and volunteers in the years since. Each summer, the chimps (and humans) seem to get more excited about them. It’s justified, because they’re the most delicious raspberries that I have ever had the privilege of tasting. I’d bet that the chimpanzees feel the same way.

Today, Jamie was especially insistent that humans should be harvesting raspberries and giving her the bounty. If you’re curious how Jamie communicates her demands, I recommend looking at Anna’s post from last summer. Today, Level III volunteer Lisa filled a stainless bowl with the prized berries and then served a handful to the chimps, including the moderately-patient Jamie. They were all thrilled, and we had plenty left over to make raspberry smoothies tomorrow morning. As Diana wrote a few years ago, we make sure that the chimpanzees are provisioned with healthy, unprocessed, species-appropriate foods like fruit, greens and legumes. As we grow larger and need to buy most of our produce in bulk for the chimps, it’s nice to know that there are seasonal treats nearby that the chimps can enjoy for nutrition and novelty.

Lisa, following our health and hygiene protocols, sported gloves, scrubs, and a mask while handling food and enrichment today. All personnel who work around the chimps have to do so with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to prevent the exchange of viral pathogens between us and them. With COVID-19 potentially affecting captive and free-ranging apes, we have elevated our standard hygiene practices and dramatically reduced the amount of personnel present at the sanctuary each day. Normally, the raspberry patch would be a flurry of activity throughout the day as chatty groups of volunteers and interns lazily harvest in the sunshine. Because of our restrictions, however, we must find other ways to complete all the essential tasks with just a handful of personnel.

One permanently-essential task, of course, is play. This afternoon, after Lisa finished handing out fresh raspberries to all the chimps, Foxie coyly suggested that they should vigorously chase each other down the hallway. Foxie kept running from the Playroom into the front rooms and back again, pausing only to pass Lisa a doll, do a twirl, and zoom away again. Foxie, of course, relished a raspberry all the while.

The chimps don’t seem to have any sympathy for us caregivers who have to sprint around the building wearing cloth masks, scrubs and heavy boots, but it’s okay. I don’t think any of us mind breaking from our chores to pick raspberries and hang out with playful chimps.

Produce Day

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A common question we get from curious supporters is “how much do the chimps eat?” While we don’t actually weigh their daily portions out or count calories, we use a rough estimate and a little bit of trial and error to adjust the chimps’ diets accordingly. Lately we’ve been serving Burrito and Foxie an extra portion of primate chow since they are two of our more slender residents.

Burrito loves emptying bags of primate chow into his mouth and is a big fan of this “Burrito gets more” plan.  This is an older photo, but you get the idea!

In general, the chimps each eat 3 servings of fruit for breakfast (one of which is a fruit smoothie), 3 servings of vegetables at lunch, and 3 servings of veggies/fruit for dinner. What makes up a serving is a little open to interpretation, but you could think of a standard sized apple being considered 1 serving.  Oh and I almost forgot! We serve Willy B extra produce each day because he’s a big guy and needs to maintain his muscular physique.   All in all, our fridges empty at a considerable rate.

In the age of COVID-19 we’ve had to reorganize a lot of the ways we provide care for the chimpanzees including how we get the chimps their weekly shipment of fresh produce. Thursdays have become the sanctuary’s “produce day.”  JB drives to a neighboring city and does our shopping at a wholesale store, then staff member Anthony and volunteer caregiver Lisa do a mass washing and reorganizing of our 2 fridges.

If you would like to help keep the chimps’ fridges stocked full of fresh fruits and veggies, you can become a Produce Patron on our website. The chimps and those that love them thank you! Here’s today’s well-stocked veggie fridge:

 

 

Portraits of the Day

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Anna and I are wrapping things up in the Chimp House and reflecting on what a long day it has been. Sadly, my initial plans for composing a video to attach to today’s blog deteriorated as the day went on. Instead, you’re all getting these portraits of three of my favorite chimps. (Note: I have many, many “favorite” chimps.)

First, Willy B wanted to look into the camera lens and then see the resulting images.

Then, Honey B sat in the same spot while she was eating lunch. She grasped a roll of craft paper, one of her favorite enrichment materials, in her right hand while she nibbled on carrots with her left.

Jamie, per usual, did laps around the Hill during the morning and afternoon. As always, she was vigilant and perceptive.

We hope everyone is staying safe (and staying sane). Don’t forget to wear a mask!

Dinner Is Served

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As the day is winding down, the chimpanzees are about to be served dinner. On tonight’s menu is watermelon, sweet potatoes, celery, and their daily night bags filled with sunflower and pumpkin seeds, popcorn, and dried fruit.

I would say tonight’s dinner was a hit with both groups.

Mave enjoying her portion of sweet potatoes.
Honey B enjoying her watermelon.
Missy munching on her fresh celery stalks.
She was soon displaced by the Queen. But Missy headed to her favorite spot to finish her dinner. A window that looks into the loft area of the Playroom.
Speaking of the Queen. She really loves her daily night bags.
Jamie also enjoying her night bag nearby.
Jody went to her favorite spot in Front Room 4 to enjoy her dinner.
Annie went around and gathered whatever was left that nobody else wanted.

With their bellies full and the evening enrichment puzzles solved, the chimpanzees are beginning to build their nests for the night.

Have a wonderful evening everybody!

Remembering Ned and Noreen

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Today was sponsored by Joan O’Flaherty in loving memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty, on their wedding anniversary.

“My parents loved animals and supported conservation. They would appreciate all the care and hard work you do to give the cows and chimpanzees lives worth living.”

Joan, we can’t thank you enough for continuing your lovely parents’ legacy by always thinking of the chimpanzees (and now cattle!) and for the lasting difference you’ve made in their lives in Ned and Noreen’s honor. We hope your heart is full of comfort and peace today, just as you help ensure for the chimps and bovines.

Honey B:

Willy B:

Mave:

Nutmeg and Meredith:

Events of the day

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The day began with thievery. Everyone (with the exception of Negra, who chose to lounge in her post-breakfast nest) headed off together on a patrol of Young’s Hill, eventually spreading out to pursue their own interests. Jody’s interest was foraging for wild dandelion:

She made her way back to the greenhouse and just settled down to enjoy her haul when…

oh no…

Scooping up as much of her dandelion greens as she could while giving the approaching thief the side eye:

The Queen arrived to take her share. One thing (among many) that impresses me about Jody is her determination to hang onto items of food she wants when someone else also wants them, all while trying to avoid any conflict. She’ll start by just politely turning her body away and eating as fast as she can and even if it escalates to the point of someone (usually Jamie) screaming and chasing her, she’ll do her best to leave the area and avoid conflict, but she will *not* give up her food! Granted, this may not be the best move in chimpanzee politics, but nevertheless I admire it and it seems to work for her. In this case, she shoveled as much dandelion in as she could while Negra made off with a handful:

Meanwhile, I spotted Annie and Burrito together on the hill seemingly concerned about something they may or may not have seen in the grass. I braced myself for Annie to start screaming thinking they may have seen a snake, but she just held onto Burrito as they both stared into the grass. Eventually, they both made their way bipedally (and endearingly) uphill toward the safety of the climbing structures where they spent a great while taking in the sights and sounds of a summertime morning:

Missy returning from the perimeter patrol:

And Foxie bringing up the rear:

This guy has been non-stop today. While that’s not unusual these days, what is rather unique is that he’s been non-stop playing with all the girls (as opposed to the humans). As much as we love to play with him, it’s really wonderful to see his relationships with the other chimps blossoming. He started off wresting all morning with Jody, filling the chimp house with their laughter while we cleaned. I stopped to try and get a video and I seriously couldn’t tell where Burrito ended and Jody began. Later he and Negra had a game of wrestling and chase, which means some left hooks when Negra’s involved, but Burrito would just play slap her on the head in return which she seemed to love. Then he moved on to wrestling with both Annie and Missy! He’s currently looking out the playroom window toward the chute, blowing raspberries in an attempt to get Mave to come outside. Mave cannot hear him, and I doubt she’d respond, but he’s endearing in his attempts to catch the attention of the girl next door:

And over on the other side, Willy B was just hanging out in his tub/dinghy on the high seas (which I love so much I can barely stand it):

In other news, Honey B has discovered her ability to choose if she’ll have the humans cleaning her home or not. Though not particularly effective for cleaning, we’re particularly delighted that she’s making her own choices. And as we were saying to one another, she is Missy’s daughter after all. Her mother is infamous for choosing not to leave an area we’d like to clean and having us reroute our human schedule. And of course, that’s just what sanctuary is all about. The chimpanzees, in their time and their way. Just as it should be.