Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Cle Elum Seven

Keeping It Clean

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It’s a safe bet that anything you give to a captive chimpanzee will go immediately into their mouth, and if it’s possible to swallow it, they will swallow it. Those of you who have expressed an interest in sending gifts to the chimps have probably been directed to our incredibly detailed safety guidelines for enrichment.

Occasionally we put out a few buckets of soapy water for the chimps – they like to play with the bubbles and sometimes they’ll even pitch in with some cleaning. Always keeping in mind that they can’t be trusted not to ingest whatever we give them, we use only a tiny drop of plant-based non-toxic soap. And that’s a good thing given Annie and Missy’s choices this morning:

Annie:

Missy:

The infectious joy of grabbing feet

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Last week after the chimps’ enjoyed a St. Patrick’s Day party in the greenhouse, Jamie and I went for a walk around Young’s Hill together. Like many of Jamie’s walks, this gives some of the other chimps an excuse to spend some more time outdoors as well. Missy was a bullet of energy, running around starting games of chase with Foxie and Annie. Her signature move of the day? The foot grab!
Missy going in for the “kill” on an unsuspecting Foxie:

Foxie chased Jamie down the hill making similar moves to grab Jamie’s feet:

Annie yanking her foot from Missy’s grasp:

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:

Sun’s Out Chimps Out

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The chimps were on the move today! Jody was running around the Hill with her gals, Missy was ripping up and down all the structures, Jamie was walking and exploring with everyone, and Foxie was pushing herself to the limits. While Jamie and I were out on a walk Missy, Annie, Jody, and Foxie we not far behind. Annie and Missy made it to the Twister and climbed all the way to the top. Jody got to the top and decided to come down; however, Foxie was cautious and went up part way only to climb back down, but that did not stop her from trying again! Once all the other girls left Foxie even climbed up the Twister on her own and got most of the way up, that girl is brave! After, Foxie met Missy up on the suspension bridge structure, Missy was feeling silly and sneakily and took Foxie’s doll and ran away (trying to instigate chase). Foxie slowly followed after her (don’t worry eventually Miss did give the doll back). All in all it was a fun and silly day at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest!

Missy and Annie on top of the Twister:

Foxie (with doll), Missy (middle), Annie (front) walking towards the next structure to explore:

Foxie climbing the Twister alone and was getting pretty high, maybe the highest she has ever gone:

Foxie carefully climbing down after a big accomplishment:

Foxie and Missy hanging out/playing on one of the climbing structures (about when Missy steals that little doll):

After a slow fun game of chase, Missy gives the doll back to Foxie (Foxie behind the tree):

Jamie exploring:

Jamie and the squad (Annie and Missy):

Handsome Burrito (he didn’t stay long outside):

After climbing all morning Annie laid down to relax and make some bird noises:

Jamie using a tool to get the big nuts out of the Playroom windows:

Missy also used a tool to get some big nuts:

Missy:

Negra enjoying some sun: