chimpanzee

The Perfect Nest

July 10, 2020 by J.B.

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

July 8, 2020 by Anthony

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

July 7, 2020 by Chad de Bree

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.

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

July 6, 2020 by Katelyn

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.

Fawns and Fledglings (and Chimps)

July 5, 2020 by Anthony

“Today, just do what you can.”

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Foraging on the Fourth

July 4, 2020 by J.B.

Foraging is all about strategy.

You start by evaluating each type of food. Watermelon: sweet, refreshing, can be consumed quickly. Corn: Delicious but time-consuming, gets stuck in your teeth. Primate chow: satisfies those carb cravings but leaves your mouth too dry to eat anything else. Lettuce: great palette-cleanser but not much bang for the buck.

Next you survey the landscape. Walking long distances requires time and energy so you’ve got to do the math. Just spitballing here but I’d say a watermelon at 200 yards is worth two corns within arm’s reach.

And finally, you need to understand the competition. Foxie’s got bad knees, so you can outrun her. But be careful, Missy will fight you for an ear of corn.

Then the moment arrives. The door opens and two acres of 4th of July forage lay before you.

The gang sets off to the far corners of Young’s Hill in a quest to stuff themselves silly.

Wait! Oh, no. As usual, Negra has been distracted by the first piece of lettuce she saw. Keep your eyes on the prize, Negra!

While the others race by her, she bites gingerly from her slice of iceberg, oblivious to all the awaits her.

Meanwhile, Jody and Missy each race to claim a stump covered in watermelon slices.

Jamie swiftly climbs to the top of the cabin for more corn.

Missy reaches the pinnacle of the Escher climbing structure to capture the watermelon atop the tallest post.

Meanwhile, Negra wonders if it can get any better than this. Warm sun, cool breeze, and a quarter head of iceberg lettuce.

Burrito races from structure to structure with his bounty…

…pausing only briefly at a vantage point from which he can survey the area for more treasure.

Missy scampers across the shaky bridge from Carlene’s Tower to Jamie’s Tower…

…and returns with more food than a single chimpanzee should be able to carry.

Jody is up to her ears in watermelon.

Annie’s up to her eyes in ears of corn.

And Burrito is attempting to walk and chew watermelon at the same time.

All the while, Negra happily savors her slice of lettuce. They just don’t grow lettuce like this anymore, do they?

Back in the greenhouse, Jody takes a much needed break from being upright.

And Jamie works to polish off her corn and lettuce. While I personally swear by typewriter style, Jamie eats around the full circumference before working her way down the cob.

Luckily for Negra, Jamie didn’t finish all of her corn. Negra later returned to the Greenhouse, emitting a sound somewhere between a whimper and an alarm call, as if she had seen a snake. As the gang turned to her to see what was wrong, Negra swiped an ear of corn from Jamie’s feet and waltzed into the Playroom. It’s good to be the Queen.

Thank you, Manda!

July 4, 2020 by Katelyn

Manda Crawford sponsored this day of sanctuary: “In honor of Burrito, Jamie, Jody, Annie, Missy, Foxie, Negra, Honey B, Willy B, and Mave. The best day ever! Independence Day!”

Thank you so much, Manda, for helping to ensure the chimpanzees (and cattle) have as much freedom, independence and choice as possible, for all their days forward. We’re so grateful to be able to celebrate these things in the chimps’ lives. Happy Fourth of July!

Independence means different things to different people. Our personal and collective versions of freedom can be found in the broader sense of the word, yes, but also sometimes in the smallest of places. For the chimpanzees, while the freedom of living the natural lives they were meant to was taken from them, a home in sanctuary where they can just be themselves and are able to make as many choices as possible about their day, is the closest to freedom they’ll know.

Here at the sanctuary, in a way, we get to celebrate a kind of Independence Day every day, in one form or another. It’s a profound joy, a privilege and an inspiration to witness each of the chimpanzees explore both their inner and outer independence each and every day because of what you make possible for them. And while we celebrate and hold profound gratitude for these experiences in the chimps’ lives, we hold a space of honor and support for all those still waiting for their Independence Day, in whatever form that may take. Ultimately, all any living being wants and deserves is the freedom to live their lives as they’re meant to, to follow their hearts and make their own choices with the same dignity and respect afforded anyone else.

Whether it’s in taking the first tentative steps outside of not only your comfort zone, but all you’ve known, like Willy B: