Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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chimpanzees

Jody Feeling Better

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Yesterday was the day after Jody’s eyelid repair surgery. She spent most of the day sleeping off the anesthesia after making a giant nest. Yesterday she wasn’t so interested in food or drinks, but was taking sips of water.

I know that chimpanzees are known for their quick healing and tough spirits, but even I was surprised what a difference a night made for Jody. This morning, the swelling around her eye had gone down considerably, and she was alert, active, and hungry! She was especially happy to be offered some lychees that an old friend brought her and was eager to dig into some pineapple. She took a little smoothie too:

It was also clear that she was very interested in being back with the rest of the chimpanzees:

Dr. Erin Zamzow came to assess things and decided it would be best to give her another day of healing on her own without the drama and focused attention of the other chimps.

Jody decided maybe another day alone wasn’t so bad…

Her friends still got to visit her while she was in her private quarters. She and Foxie played a little game of tag:

and Burrito gave her a kiss:

We made sure that Jody had lots of food puzzles and other interesting things to do and that the other chimpanzees were able to go about their daily activities, like Missy running:

Jamie hanging out in the tunnel on the hill:

and Burrito allowing me to photograph his handsome self:

 

Chimpanzees and Cattails?

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The Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees and their relationship with cattails goes way back. In fact, I can’t think about cattails without thinking about Burrito covered in cattail fluff way back in 2008.

We have a couple of big ponds and some wetland areas around the property and the cattails look just beautiful right now, so Anna chopped some down to add to the chimps lunch forage on the hill today.

Jody in particular likes fresh cattails and she eats both the long green leaves and the brown flowers that remind me of corn dogs. After foraging for the lunch veggies, Jody collected as many cattails as her mouth could carry and headed for the greenhouse.

 

Meanwhile, Negra had the escher structure to herself and was enjoying all of the food I had scattered from top to bottom.

In fact, Negra climbed up higher than I’ve ever seen her go before!

 

Today, Negra brought a friend with her on her adventures – a green-haired Strawbery Shortcake doll.

 

After a good long time foraging, Negra too went back to the greenhouse. When she spotted Jody’s cattails, she decided she should take a couple. Being the Queen, Jody allowed this theft to happen.

Negra really has been a new chimpanzee lately. Not the food-stealing – that’s been part of her repertoire for a while, but climbing up high and staying out on the hill for a long time is new. She’s also been very playful with us caregivers. There is absolutely nothing better in this world than seeing Negra laugh and be happy and relaxed. She just continues to remind us that everyone grows into themselves on their own timescale. Welcome to the sanctuary, New Negra.

A Delicacy Worth the Risk

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Today we set out a breakfast forage on Young’s Hill. Here’s a photo of the morning sun glinting off of Negra’s beautiful head:

As we were watching Jody forage near the cabin, she screamed a little and batted at the air. We all collectively thought she had been stung by a wasp.  When Jody started to walk towards the greenhouse, we noticed she was carrying a wasp nest!

A few years ago, much to our surprise, Jamie and Missy discovered the delicacy of wasp larvae.

Chimpanzees in the wild have also been known to brave a sting or a bite to get an insect meal.

Apparently Jody has also found out about this delicacy.

She did pay a price for her prize, today, though. At lunch, Dr. Erin noticed her right eye was swollen. She’ll probably sleep well tonight with a little benadryl and some ibuprofen. We hope the snack was worth it!

Spring has Sprung

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Spring has sprung and there is nothing but happy chimps here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest! We had chimps (Negra and friends) baking at the top of the platform in the Greenhouse, Missy asking for the barn doors to be open, Foxie playing wild games of chase, Jamie walking on the Hill & enjoying lots of grooming sessions with her boots, Burrito and Jody hanging out & grooming all day, and Missy and Annie chasing all over the place. Foxie was nice enough to let me get another photo shoot in and Jamie also let me get a few snaps before we started a game of chase this morning!

Foxie:

Jamie:

Jody staring out the Raceway towards the Hill:

Today is also for Michael – Happy Anniversary!

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For our second sponsor-a-day of the day, Alrene Okun is honoring her husband Michael.

Arlene shared this message:
I would like to sponsor today because it is our 28th wedding anniversary. I am thankful to be married to wonderful man who makes the world a better place. Michael truly cares about people and animals and doing what he can to help. He makes me feel loved and safe, which are probably some of the same feelings the Chimps have about CSNW and all the people there. Blessings to you all.

Happy Anniversary, Arlene and Michael! Thank you both for helping to make the world a better place for each other and many other humans and animals, including the chimpanzees at CSNW.

Missy and Burrito chimpanzees playing

jamie chimpanzee in nest with boot

How Many Chimps Do You See?

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How many chimps are in this picture? Can you name them? Ready… Go!

Bonus photos!

Annie sitting on top of the Twister:

Foxie:

Missy eating snow:

Burrito taking a stroll with the ladies:

Jamie ready for a walk and Missy following behind:

Jody was on a mission (probably to find snow):

Jody and Foxie:

While everyone was outside Negra grabbed a bunch of blankets and took a nap:

Later, Jamie went out and sat on the Twister for a while:

Not Your Typical Day

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Today was not our typical lazy Sunday at CSNW. After the chimps received access to the Hill everyone was out with Jamie, well everyone except Negra… Foxie was especially gleeful this morning. Foxie invited staff Caregiver Katelyn for a fun game of flip and hang upside down while tickling her with her doll, which I mean who could say no to that! Foxie is always playful and has the craziest moves, but today she put it all out on the dance floor. Check out the video to see Foxie’s moves.

Bonus photos of Foxie on Young’s Hill yesterday (photo credit to Diana, they were just to good to not share):