Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Cle Elum Seven

Monitored Play

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While cleaning the playroom today we spotted two chimps enjoying each others company in the nice warm sun. Negra and Foxie were laughing, play slapping, grabbing each others toes, play biting, and of course grooming. You couldn’t ask for better company! Jamie quietly observed from above. She was curious but never joined in, just monitored.

Bonus photos!

Jamie:

Jamie watching Negra and Foxie play:

Negra and Foxie:

Blustery Day

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Jamie was very disappointed about this snow storm today… So much so that she wouldn’t let anyone else have any fun…

What it looked like outside (two bald eagles in the background):

Volunteer Lizz trying to play with Burrito:

Jamie moved her nest from Room 3 to the Playroom to let Lizz know to stop playing with Burrito:

Jamie laid on the barrel with her boots on her belly:

Jamie holding her boots:

Lady J:

Don’t worry though! The day was still full of grooming and (quiet) silly play among the chimps, just not with humans. Jamie received new boots later in the day and was very pleased to say the least!

 

On Duty

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Boss Jamie has a long list of (mostly) self-imposed duties, including (but not limited to) monitoring the whereabouts and activity of all living beings on her domain. No matter where she is, she always knows where you are.

She’s also responsible for ensuring strict compliance with all rules and protocols. She oversees all volunteer training. This afternoon she showed Level III trainee Caroline how we groom.

Constant vigilance can be tiring, so she allows herself short breaks before resuming her work.

Do What You Love

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Snow was a hot commodity today! Jody was really the only one that went out on Young’s Hill and braved the snow (I know, we were surprised too!), everyone else preferred the snow to be served in the warm and comfortable playroom. Jamie tried to go out on the Hill for a walk, but it was pretty cold out so she turned around. Everyone wanted to play and sometimes they all wanted to play separate games at the same time! There were only two of us and seven of them… Foxie was dropping her dolls down, Missy was running around asking to play chase and wanted us to open the barn doors of course, Burrito was rasberry-ing to play, and Jamie wanted to play chase inside (Jamie would sometimes get Missy or Foxie in on some of the games too). Jamie didn’t want to go out on the Hill so she told staff caregiver Katelyn to put a boot on and play chase with her! Jamie made Katelyn and I play a lot of chase, from the playroom to the greenhouse, back to the playroom, and again and again. Jamie would make these low playful grunting sounds that could just melt your heart. Afterward she would ask for her boots back and hug them tight. I even caught her in a corner of the playroom playing with a stuffed Olaf toy. If you can’t do what you love when the weather is bad why not find something else to substitute!

 

Jody out venturing the Hill for snow:

Missy

 

Fresh!

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Like most of us, the chimpanzees eat 3 main meals a day with the occasional snack between meals. Maybe a bit differently from most of us, the chimpanzees’ meals primarily consist of fresh produce. We are extremely lucky to receive a regular donation of amazing fresh produce from Darwin’s Natural Pet Products. Our volunteers stock our fridge every couple of weeks with their generous donations. To supplement the regular donations from Darwin’s, staff members also shop at our local grocery stores. Since Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, I can think of no better Valentine to send these 7 chimpanzees, than a gift card to keep their fridge stocked and their stomachs full! We do most of our shopping at our local Safeway and Fred Meyer stores. If you’re like me and want to skip the post office trip, you can also find Safeway gift cards on our Amazon wishlist!

The way to a chimp’s heart: