Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

chimpanzee

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.

Foxie’s Twin Dolls

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If you watched The Queen’s Brunch virtual event last month, you saw a short clip from this video of Foxie getting two new Orange Blossom dolls.

I’ve been wanting to share more of the video since then, and I’m finally doing it today.

We’ll be holding our annual gala, HOOT!, as a virtual event this year. Mark your calendars now for Saturday September 12th so you can join the fun!

The Perfect Nest

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Each chimpanzee makes a nest in their own unique way. In fact, I bet most chimpanzee caregivers could name the chimp if someone simply described how they make a nest at night. Here at CSNW, we’ve got Jody, who gathers up as many blankets as possible, throws them over her shoulder and drops half of them in a doorway as she searches for the right bench to sleep on. And Burrito, who throws a single blanket over his shoulder on his way to bed like he is carrying a towel to the swimming pool. And Honey B, who wraps herself up like a to-go burrito. All ten of of the chimps here have a particular style and a ritual when it comes to nest-making. As do most humans, I would assume.

Here are a few bonus photos of Foxie from this morning.

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!

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.