Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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chimpanzee

Complexity

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There is no one quite like Jamie. Like us, she is a complex individual. She is incredibly smart and also known to be earnest, inflexible, a tad bit controlling, and strong-willed (which there is nothing wrong with). Jamie, on her own terms, can also be a jokester, silly, thoughtful, and sweet. All of these characteristics that describe Jamie vary day-to-day or even hour-by-hour. You never know what Jamie you are going to get. I am sure that is something we can all relate to.

Yesterday, Jamie was in an amazing mood. She was being so sweet to her caregivers- breathy panting and excited to greet people, grooming their boots, and giving what we call, “smooshy face” (pressing her face to the mesh and usually will offer a kiss if you extend the back of your wrist). It would be completely unrealistic for us to expect this kind of mood from her all the time, which is why it makes it all the more special when Jamie decides to bless us with her sweet “smooshy face”.

To be honest, I love every side of Jamie. Whether she is keeping us here until 10 o’clock at night on Young’s Hill, playing keep away with Foxie’s dolls, threatening to throw poop at her caregivers, throwing poop at her caregivers, or asking (maybe insisting) to put on her favorite boot to join her on a walk around the Hill, Jamie is pretty frickin’ cool!

This morning, as I let Jamie’s group out onto Young’s Hill, Jamie stayed back. I thought this was a little peculiar until she began to gesture to our small-raised garden bed. As far as I could tell, there wasn’t anything blooming yet. Right when I told her I didn’t see anything, Jamie gestured towards the black current bush, next to the garden. Ohhh, duh! Jamie is so observant, I didn’t even notice it had fruited yet! Though the berries were not quite ripe, I gave her a few.

At breakfast, the smoothies were pretty thick because of the chia seeds and blueberries. Since Jamie likes to hold her cup when drinking smoothies, she was having some difficulties getting it out. I offered her a spoon to use as a tool. When she was not using the spoon, she would hold it with her foot until she needed to use it again. I am not sure why, but it gave me a little chuckle and she seemed very thankful for the tool because we take smoothies very seriously around here.

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Grooming Party

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For whatever reason, the chimps in Cy’s group like to congregate in the front rooms to groom in the late afternoon. Sure, the Bray is open to them but why groom outdoors in a 2-acre habitat when you can pack together like sardines in a tiny indoor space?

Ah, but the chimps generally know what they are doing. Maybe there’s something about the forced proximity that contributes to the process. After all, this is one of most important aspects of chimpanzee social life. These are the moments that build trust and solidify relationships. This is Willy B saying sorry for being a jerk and Mave saying she respects the boss. This is Dora saying that she and Honey B can fight and still be friends and Terry saying that he just wants to be one of the boys.

Monitoring a newer group of chimps 24/7 can be exhausting but listening to them teeth clack, lip smack, and blow raspberries as I sit in the foyer writing the blog certainly brings a sense of calm, however fleeting. There will always be fights, but the work they do during these lazy afternoons will help them get through whatever is to come.

Another Day on the Bray

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Despite this being one of the hotter days this year, the chimps in Terry’s group spent a considerable amount of time on the Bray. One of Terry’s favorite spots is on Ryan’s Lookout, where he is often joined by Rayne and Gordo. Cy even made the trek out to the Lookout the other day! Here’s Terry:

Lucky continues to enjoy her time outdoors but she prefers to stay off the grass whenever possible, which somewhat limits how far she will go. Today she found a way to sit near the ground without actually sitting on the ground.

Foraging for nuts is a little more difficult when you can’t touch the ground but she found a way. She then climbed up to crack them open with Terry and Rayne.

Rayne was reluctant to part with her new favorite book so she took it with her as she hiked around the Bray.

Eventually she set it down and took a walk with me to to the top of the hill.

She’s very interested in the Young’s Hill side of the things…I’m sure she will be excited when both groups are outside at the same time. As far as that goes, we’re just giving Dora a little time to see if she wants to explore the outdoors further without the added pressure of six chimps hooting and hollering at her from the other side of the fences.

Gordo likes to tag along when Rayne explores the Bray. He gets a little nervous when they venture to the farther reaches of the enclosure.

When they reached the top of the hill, Rayne spent some time taking in the view. Gordo waited restlessly for her to head back.

This was, for me, the closest I’ve come to joining any of the new group on a patrol. Once the groups are in their outdoor enclosures at the same time, I’m guessing that Rayne, Gordo, and Terry will do this more regularly. And I’m hoping that Cy will put his magazines down long enough the join them—you know, him being the alpha and all…

Or maybe, as it is on the other side of the fences, the girls will just have to take the lead.

The Most Popular Girl on the Bray

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Lucky is one of the less social members of her group. While the others play and groom together, Lucky can often be found quietly perched on a bench overlooking it all or scooting across the floor in what we call her “blanket car.” Just like humans, some chimps tend towards introversion.

But on the 6th day of her group getting access to their new outdoor habitat, called the Bray, Lucky decided that she would make herself at home out there. And that has earned her a lot of attention from some of her group mates.

In fact, grooming Lucky is the hot new trend on the Bray. In typical Lucky fashion, she doesn’t reciprocate all that much, but she does however allow herself to be thoroughly groomed. This afternoon, she was joined by both Rayne and Gordo for a grooming session in the shade of the first platform.

Rayne inspected her arms.

And her feet.

Her back.

And inside the ears.

This amount of attention must be overwhelming for Lucky. Hopefully she can find a quiet place to nest overnight so that she can recharge and prepare for another day in her newly busy social calendar.

Mornings In The Chimp House

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Mornings in the chimp house are often super busy! The to-do list is impressive and as soon as we arrive we get started on breakfast prep, enrichment, laundry, and other morning tasks. Then, after breakfast is served to both groups and we’ve finished shifting, we start cleaning the enclosures. Despite the long to-do list, there are often sweet moments to catch all morning. Whether it’s the precious greetings the chimps offer us when we first arrive or little goofy moments between friends as we scrub and squeegee, there’s always something to make you smile.

Today was no exception! As we cleaned, chimps in both groups enjoyed the beautiful summer day. Check out today’s video for more! 🙂

BONUS PHOTOS:

Cy, looking on as his family explores the Bray:

Gordo, getting more and more comfortable on the structures:

Honey B enjoying the sunshine:

Jamie, resting after lunch with one of her cowboy boots:

Rayne, exploring the Bray:

The 5th Annual Running of the Cows – and more Bray photos!

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If cows had a national holiday, this would be it.

A little further down the mountain, Cy’s group continues to explore the Bray. Here are a some photos from the past few days – you’ll notice that there are a lot of Rayne, and that’s because she spends more time out there than anyone else. We were so happy when she decided to take her lunch out for a picnic this afternoon. While some of the chimps are still a little nervous—and Mave and Honey still have yet to go out—the group is doing really well overall with this new aspect of sanctuary life.

Willy B and Gordo:

Terry:

Gordo and Terry:

Rayne:

Cy:

Welcome to the Bray

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(or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Step on Grass)

It finally happened. Cy’s group stepped out of the chute and entered the Bray.

It was a very different experience than watching the Cle Elum Seven enter Young’s Hill for the first (or even second) time. It may be because the Californians are a newer group than the Seven were at the time, or perhaps it’s because the Waystation chimps had spent more time outside of cages when they were young (and, as noted in a previous comment section, as adults in some unauthorized cases). In any case, while there was less hugging and screaming as they entered the habitat, watching them explore was every bit as emotional.

Willy B’s transformation from fearful and agoraphobic to Conqueror of the Bray is a testament to the power of friendship. Every minute we spent worrying while integrating his group with Cy’s was worth it to see him follow his friends out into the grass.

You’ll notice that Honey B, Mave, and Dora did not join their friends outside yesterday. That’s OK. I believe they will soon, as they will also benefit from Rayne’s confidence and the boys’ leadership. But if it takes longer, that’s OK too. They will get there in their own time.

Our most heartfelt thanks to all of you who made this day possible, especially to our friend James, in whose memory the Bray is named.