Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee

Dinnertime lounging

by

Yesterday during dinner, Jody decided to relax a little in between courses. She would go out to the greenhouse, get her serving, and then take it to the front rooms to enjoy her meal without any distractions.

Sometimes the chimpanzees prefer to eat with more privacy, and will take their servings off to their own corner. Part of that might be to avoid getting their food taken by someone more dominant (which is completely normal in chimp society) — but partially I think some chimps just enjoy eating away from the hub-bub of the meal.

Still, some chimps will park themselves in one spot during a meal and stay there until everything has been served. Just another example of how great it is that in sanctuary, they can choose how and where to spend their time.

web_Jody_lie_down_portrait_studio_FR4_ek_IMG_0161

web_Jody_lie_down_portrait_studio_FR4_ek_IMG_0160

web_Jody_lie_down_portrait_studio_FR4_ek_IMG_0159

web_Jody_lie_down_portrait_studio_FR4_ek_IMG_0158

In memory of Joseph and Carlene’s anniversary

by

Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Joseph Garza, in memory of his late wife, Carlene, and this day, which would have been their 15th wedding anniversary. Joseph and Carlene have done so much for the chimpanzees and even though Carlene is no longer with us physically, both she and Joseph continue to make an immense difference in the chimps’ lives. Joseph shared this beautifully heartfelt message about today:

“On this date fifteen years ago, Carlene K. Olsen-Paul and I exchanged vows to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. Little did we know that the latter would come much too soon.

She captured my heart with the first look into her eyes and at that moment I knew that I was looking into the soul of the love of my life. The Lord gave us almost 20 years together, 14 and one-half of those as husband and wife. They weren’t all easy, but I would give anything to have even the worst day back again just to hold her in my arms again.

Carlene K. Olsen-Garza, you are my soul mate and I know when my time comes you will be waiting for me and we will once again be reunited, but this time for eternity. Til then, I love you my angel.”

Joseph, thank you so much for sharing such a special day with not only the chimpanzees, but all of us. We are immensely moved that you not only continue to carry Carlene’s passion for the chimpanzees in your heart, but have made it your own as well. Our thoughts are with you today as you remember your dear wife and the beautiful life you shared.

Annie groom Missy in greenhouse

Spring is in the air

by

Spring is here, which for this region means the weather is predictably unpredictable. Yesterday, we had a beautiful 70 degree slightly cloudy day—the chimpanzees and the humans were loving it! We had the windows open, we did some work outside, Jamie went on lots of walks, and it felt like summer was just around the corner.

Annie enjoying some of the nice spring weather lately:
web_annie_sit_on_cabin_yh_dg_IMG_5716

web_annie_sit_on_cabin_yh_dg_IMG_5712

web_annie_quadrupedal_stand_yh_dg_IMG_5703

web_annie_walk_yh_dg_IMG_5701

Today is, well, not as nice. We have had some very blustery winds with a slight drizzle, but that hasn’t stopped Jamie from making her daily patrols! Most of the other chimps have preferred to stay in the warm wind-protected greenhouse, soaking in the spring sunlight.

What will tomorrow bring? No matter what, I’m sure Jamie will still make her patrols and require her caregivers to come along as well. And maybe Burrito will join and do his new “hop.” Or who knows—maybe even Foxie will come along.

web_volunteer_caregiver_connie_walk_with_jamie_foxie_yh_dm_IMG_0339

Breakfast forage

by

It was a nice morning for a breakfast forage on Young’s Hill.

Burrito’s first priority in a forage is always chow. He fills his mouth and both hands, and occasionally his feet too, before moving on to other foods like lettuce and smoothie.

web_Burrito_chow_in_mouth_and_both_hands_walk_YH_jb_IMG_0180

web_Burrito_lettuce_in_mouth_YH_jb_IMG_0082

web_Burrito_sip_smoothie_looking_through_tunnel_YH_jb_IMG_0263

Jody was lucky to find one of the two banana flowers that volunteer Stephanie brought this morning. She carried it with her as she foraged so that she could save the best for last.

web_Jody_banana_flower_peanut_in_mouth_YH_jb_IMG_0063

web_Jody_eat_banana_flower_YH_jb_IMG_0244

Missy always finds the food that we throw up high into the climbing structures. That’s where she found the other banana flower.

web_Missy_eat_lettuce_top_of_cabin_YH_jb_IMG_0100

web_Missy_lettuce_banana_flower_stump_YH_jb_IMG_0140

Foxie is a smoothie fanatic.

web_Foxie_drink_smoothie_forage_YH_jb_IMG_0050

Annie took a few moments to rest on Little Mount St. Helens while she scanned the area for more chow.

webonly_Annie_sit_mt_st_helens_YH_forage_chow_jb_IMG_0229

Jamie found the cups of smoothie that we hid at the very top of the hill.

web_Jamie_pick_up_smoothie_cup_log_bridge_YH_jb_IMG_0280

She was also quite focused on gathering strawberries.

web_Jamie_collect_strawberries_forage_bipedal_YH_jb_IMG_0173

web_Jamie_eat_strawberries_sit_on_log_YH_jb_IMG_0202

At first, Negra declined to go outside for the forage, so we gave her a snack in the greenhouse. But we were happy to see her make a brief appearance outside later in the morning.

webonly_Negra_profile_YH_jb_IMG_0252

Take Action Tuesday! Chimpanzee in new Comedy Central show

by

EOA take action tuesday

Tomorrow night, March 25, Comedy Central is planning to air a new TV show called Big Time in Hollywood, FL. The show’s previews contain footage of a chimpanzee in several scenes.

The show was produced by Ben Stiller, who we hope will respond favorably to your feedback — but please hurry! The show premieres tomorrow and we would like to encourage the production to make sure the chimpanzee scenes are not included in the premiere. Not only are there numerous welfare concerns, but seeing chimpanzees dressed up in clothing and in physical contact with humans perpetuates the idea that they can be treated as pets.

big-time-chimp-on-lap-nosign

big-time-hollywood-chimp-kiss-nosign

Recently, A&E canceled the show Wild Transport after receiving feedback from Eyes on Apes and other advocacy groups about the use of chimpanzees in their show. We urge you to encourage Ben Stiller and Comedy Central to make the same progressive decision for Big Time In Hollywood, FL! Send him a letter (c/o his publicist), and let him know that chimpanzees should not be used in entertainment. We’ve set up a sample letter below which you can customize as you wish. You may also post on the show’s Facebook page.

screen-shot-big-time-letter

Sink enrichment

by

Recently we got some toy sinks in the mail, and I knew right away Jamie would be interested. Sure enough, we filled up the sink with some soapy water, along with some dishes and scrub brushes, and she began her inspection.

First, she tried to take the thing apart. When that proved to be more work than she expected, she went to using the brush to dip into the bubbly water and wipe on her tongue. Mmm, tasty soapy water! (We use all plant-based, non-toxic soap, so it’s okay if the chimps decide to eat it).

web_jamie_scrub_dishes_sink_enrichment_pr_dm_IMG_5243

web_jamie_pick_teeth_with_toy_fork_sink_enrichment_pr_dm_IMG_5240

web_jamie_manipulate_enrichment_sink_soapy_bubbles_pr_dm_IMG_5217

web_enrichment_sink_soapy_bubbles_pr_dm_IMG_5207

Once she had explored the sink thoroughly, she grabbed a pencil and picked up the assembly instruction sheet we left behind.

Burrito’s big week

by

This has been a pretty big week for Burrito.

web_Burrito_chow_stuffed_mouth_YH_jb_IMG_9853

Just two days ago, Katelyn wrote about how Burrito has been tagging along when Jamie and her caregivers walk around the hill. It’s a sign of his growing confidence that he’s able to venture further away form the security of the chimp house in the company of other chimps. But yesterday, Burrito decided that he doesn’t even need Jamie’s company anymore. Now he’s the one asking us to go on walks!

WEB_Burrito_walk_with_BLOCK_IN_MOUTH_YH_JB_IMG_0024

All day long, he’s been trying to capture our attention with playful stomps and head bobs. As soon as we approach, he runs up the hill, waiting just long enough for us to catch up before running off again. You can even hear him laughing as he runs.

Nearly seven years after their release from the lab, and three and a half years since their first experience outdoors, we are still witnessing the chimps grow physically and emotionally.

Burrito even played a lead role in a brief patrol today. This afternoon, an unusual bird call could be heard coming from the woods nearby. Jody was the first to check it out, as she often is. Burrito then walked to the top of the hill to join her.

web_Jody_greet_burrito_top_of_YH_corner_jb_IMG_9929

At first, Foxie watched from a distance.

web_Foxie_dora_in_mouth_hold_post_YH_jb_IMG_9885

As did Annie.

web_Annie_sit_arms_crossed_trees_background_YH_jb_IMG_9975

But soon a group gathered at the top of the hill, and after a brief investigation, they determined that is was nothing to worry about.

web_Burrito_Jamie_Foxie_jody_look_YH_jb_IMG_9964

So Burrito went right back to his new routine.

web_Burrito_top_of_hill_block_in_mouth_YH_jb_IMG_0020

I sure hope this continues. I love to see him freely exploring the hill and taking advantage of all of the space that’s available to him. And I’m thrilled that he’s getting so much exercise. But if I’m being honest, there’s one other thing that I’m happy about, for purely selfish reasons:

He doesn’t make us wear cowboy boots.