Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Cle Elum 7

Looking back

by

I snapped these photos the other day of Jody nesting in the front rooms:

web_Jody_lie_in_blanket_nest_FR_ek_IMG_4648

web_Jody_lie_in_blanket_nest_FR_ek_IMG_4653

and they reminded me of an early photo of Jody, taken in the same spot, in one of her first nests at the sanctuary shortly after the chimpanzees arrived here.

web Jody at window in blanket nest

I didn’t yet work at the sanctuary when the above photo was taken a little over five years ago, but I followed the blog closely as the chimps arrived from the lab and got settled into their new home. When I saw the first photos of them, I remember thinking how beautiful they were. Now looking back, they all look like ghosts to me. I couldn’t have imagined, seeing those first photos, what the chimps would become with a little good food, freedom, and love.

web Jody close up anniversary birthday greenhouse GH (ek) IMG_2376

Some things never change

by

We often write about changes we’ve seen in the chimpanzees since their arrival from the research lab a little over five years ago. Physically and emotionally, they are different chimps. They are stronger, happier, and undoubtedly more alive.

But in many ways, they have held onto some parts of their old selves. One of Negra’s most enduring – and endearing – habits is to drape a blanket over her head like a poncho. It seems to help her feel secure in her ever-changing world.

September 2008:

web Negra with blanket on head_MG_2098

October 2008:

web Foxie on deck outside, Negra in blanket in background

April 2009:

web negra pink blanket with fringe_MG_9111

December 2009:

web negra sit nest playroom catwalk close-up blanket_MG_5080

May 2010:

web Negra shiny hair red blanket over head outdoor area_MG_6456

web Negra rest playroom catwalk blanket over head nest_MG_6697

July 2010:

web Negra blanket head OA_MG_7236

March 2011:

web Negra yellow blanket catwalk playroom IMG_1751

July 2012:

web negra blanket on head bottom lip stick out window catwalk PR IMG_4869

September 2012:

web don't post Negra purple blanket GH_MG_9771

web Negra under green blanket good neggie face nest playroom IMG_9607

February 2013:

web_Negra lay down in nest under blanket front rooms IMG_3009

March 2013:

web negra eyes closed sleep catwalk lay under red blanket pr _MG_1279

September 2013:

web_Negra_lie_under_blanket_catwalk_lip_protrude_pr_dg_IMG_4616

All Agog

by

You might notice by now that I often share blog posts about the things I have learned from my chimpanzee friends. It is my personal belief that a good caregiver is someone who, among other things, pays enough attention to the needs, wants, and moods of the individuals in their care to be able to provide the stability and flexibility that, I think, are so important to healthy and lasting relationships. It’s one of the things I value so much about the care-giving philosophy of CSNW as it allows the chimpanzees the opportunity to thrive and flourish even as living in sanctuary changes who they are and how they interact with the world. As an added benefit to this, I end up learning valuable lessons almost daily that I can (and try) to apply to the rest of my life. Today is no exception. Today I experienced the joy of allowing your companions to surprise you with their behavior rather than merely seeing what you have always expected to see. It’s awesome, and, for me, always a treat to be able to leave expectations behind. I love when the chimpanzee friends I have come to know surprise me with an unexpected request or an interaction like those I have included below and am grateful beyond measure for every chance I have to experience this.

I entered the chimp house in good spirits this morning to find Jamie in a similar state. Rather than the not unusual morning crankiness Jamie and I enjoyed a rowdy game of cowboy boot chase throughout the greenhouse, front rooms, and the playroom as a morning greeting. After chase, Jody approached me in the front rooms. She sat and looked directly up at the lights (which I had forgotten to turn on, being otherwise engaged in chase) and then looked directly at me. I looked up to see that the lights were dark and laughed saying, “I’m sorry, Jody, did you want me to turn those on for you?” When I returned from that task I found Jody sitting up on a bench delightedly inspecting the lights. Later, as I gave the chimpanzees access to Young’s Hill, I thought about how dismal the day seemed, threatening rain, windy and chilly and, to my mind, more than appropriate for the first day of autumn. To my surprise, all seven of the chimpanzees headed straight out on Young’s Hill taking advantage of the cool weather to enjoy a morning stroll!

Unfortunately, I was unable to capture these moments on film this morning but I’ve found a few pictures that I think best illustrate the feel of the morning to share with you.

Jamie wearing a boot in the playroom:
web_Jamie new boot PR IMG_2356

Annie and Burrito on Young’s Hill:
web_Annie_Burrito_walk_grass_YH_ek_IMG_4909

Jody looking as delighted in this picture as she did with the lights this morning:
web_Jody_close_up_chew_happy_look_at_camera_GH_ek_IMG_0590

Chimp ID: Foxie

by

This is Part 3 of our series of blog posts on chimpanzee identification. (See Annie’s and Burrito’s posts by clicking on their names.)

Most people can identify Foxie right away because she’s very rarely without at least one of her favorite dolls:

web Foxie walk trolls in mouth hand Young's Hill YH IMG_1344

web Foxie troll doll enrichment party birthday close up outdoor area IMG_5406

web Foxie sit cute leg out troll doll greenhouse gh IMG_0836

But there are other ways of identifying Foxie. She often walks with a rounded back:

web Foxie walk hold trolls Young's Hill YH IMG_7992

web Foxie walk green grass top of hill troll Dora look at camera Young's Hill YH IMG_9750

web Foxie walk blue troll doll yh IMG_9550

You can also tell Foxie by her size. She’s very petite. Here you can see her next to Negra:

web cropped foxie negra dora easter egg forage party enrichment YH IMG_5094

and next to Jody and Jamie:

web fb Jamie Jody Foxie chase troll doll play yh IMG_9987

And just for fun, see if you can spot one of my favorite Foxie quirks in the photos below.

web Foxie lie in windowsill tongue out greenhouse GH IMG_2987

web Foxie tongue out close up oa outside greenhouse IMG_1611

web 3 Foxie lie on back on deck tongue out look up troll greenhouse GH IMG_1441

Young’s Hill party forage

by

I mentioned earlier on the blog that today is the second anniversary of the opening of Young’s Hill. Watch the video of their first day out here and check out the previous post for some photos of the chimps on that very emotional and moving day!

Today we wanted to celebrate the anniversary in the best way we know how for chimps—a big food forage! The chimps usually are served their meals (so we know that everyone is getting appropriate portions) but a few times a week we do put out a forage for them to do what chimps would do in the wild. In order to scatter the food around and make the forages last for awhile, we usually cut up the food into small chunks so it takes some time for them to find everything.

This time, we not only included a fruit salad of some chopped peaches, raspberries, and grapes, as well as baby carrots and green onions—but we also included WHOLE apples and tomatoes. The chimps were so excited as we headed out to spread the food around! Mixing things up like that keeps the chimps super enriched and happy.

web_YH_anniversary_forage_dm_phone

Everyone really loved all the whole apples and tomatoes! Jody was the first to get a hand (and mouth) full!

web_jody_eat_forage_treat_rock_YH_dm_IMG_4707

Jamie collected at least four apples:

web_jamie_eat_forage_whole_apples_YH_dm_IMG_4750

web_jamie_perfect_posture_treat_rock_termite_mound_YH_dg_MG_4843

Annie:

web_annie_bipedal_forage_YH_dm_IMG_4720

web_annie_grass_YH_dg_MG_4842

Burrito searching for goodies:

web_burrito_walk_tall_grass_YH_dm_IMG_4783

And then taking a quick rest:

web_burrito_lay_down_silly_cover_face_cute_GH_dg_IMG_4632

Foxie:

web_foxie_hold_tomato_forage_YH_dm_IMG_4801

web_foxie_carry_dora_in_mouth_YH_dg_MG_4830

Missy:

web_missy_eat_forage_YH_dm_IMG_4763

Thank you so much to everyone who helped with Young’s Hill, and to everyone who has helped the Cle Elum Seven along this amazing and considerable journey!

web_young's_hill_plaque_second_anniversary_dm_IMG_4728

Jamie helps flush the drain

by

Jamie is always trying to help us get our jobs done the right way. Sometimes she helps scrub the mesh fencing for us, other times she wipes the floor down. She monitors us while we clean, almost as if she is there to make sure we are doing it right!

Yesterday I caught her doing something new: holding down one of the water spigots. I’m not really sure why she was doing it, but it went on for quite awhile! Jamie wasn’t being very environmentally friendly… but she was helping us flush the drain.

In honor of Deb Wagman

by

Today was sponsored by Charlie Neath in honor of Deb Wagman. Charlie shared, “I love Wagwoman and what she does!!!!”

Deb is a volunteer caregiver here at the sanctuary and comes all the way up from California every month to give her time to help care for the chimpanzees. She and her husband, Bruce, are passionate advocates for the rights and well being of all animals. They are long time supporters of CSNW and generously help us provide sanctuary for the chimpanzees in countless ways.

Charlie, thanks so much for honoring Deb and the chimpanzees! As you can see, Burrito is a fan of “Wagwoman” as well!

web_burrito and deb play in tunnel IMG_0103