Sometimes a nap under a soft blanket in front of a sunny window is all you need.
Cle Elum Seven
Happy Birthday, Dawn!
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Jo Arroyo in honor of Dawn Garcia on her birthday! Jo and Dawn are long-time friends and supporters of the chimpanzees and Jo shared this beautiful message about today:
“I want celebrate Dawn on her birthday. Dawn’s heart is full of love for our planet, everyday she points out its beauty. She has the faith in humanity, that sometimes I lack. She is the most positive, happy person I know, she brings love and sunshine into my life. And so do the chimps we dearly love! They are the epitome of strength, courage, forgiveness, adaptability, and remind us to live in the moment! Thank you to the extraordinary individuals and all the donors who step-up everyday to give the chimps the closest thing to freedom!”
Jo, thank you so much for sponsoring this special day for Dawn and the chimpanzees! We are so grateful to you both for holding the chimps in your hearts. And Dawn, all of the primates here at the sanctuary wish you the happiest of days filled with all the beauty, joy and love you bring to life and inspire in others. Happy Birthday!!
I am pretty sure your pal, Burrito, would send some birthday pant-hoots your way!:
Identification
Before we enter any chimpanzee enclosure, all staff and volunteers that are participating in cleaning must positively identify all seven chimpanzees and make sure the appropriate doors are closed and locked. This is part of our safety protocol so there is no chance that a chimpanzee shares the same enclosure as a human. When new trainees come in, they must learn to identify each chimpanzee by their physical characteristics. It is important that they not rely on circumstantial evidence (such as knowing that Foxie often holds a doll or Negra sleeps with a blanket over her head), because other chimpanzees have been known to behave in a similar fashion and this could lead to a mistaken identification.
Today while walking around the hill with Jamie, I heard rustling in the bamboo grove. I couldn’t immediately identify the chimpanzee, but I could tell they were getting a snack. It reminded me of how challenging it can sometimes be to identify the chimpanzees, especially for a new volunteer or a first time blog reader. I chose a couple photos from my walk that give hints to the identity of this bamboo forager.
The first clue is a circumstantial hint (not a strict rule for identifying this chimpanzee). This chimpanzee is an avid runner and athlete. She (or he?) is often seen sprinting and climbing around Young’s hill. In the climbing photo you may catch a glimpse of a freckled chin…
The second clue is a physical characteristic of this chimpanzee. She (or he?) has a “square” stature and we often say it looks like she (or he?) has “no neck” because of the way it looks like her head sits directly on her shoulders.
And the identity is…..
Missy!
A Chilly Fall Morning
It is a beautiful, chilly fall day here at the sanctuary, and the chimpanzees spent some time on Young’s Hill enjoying the crisp air. We have a lot of help with cleaning this morning, which means Jamie has many walking companions to choose from!
Here is Jamie on her second walk of the morning:
Jody also ventured out:
Missy and Annie spent a lot of time climbing on the hill, and then settled in the greenhouse to groom. Missy:
Annie (with Missy behind her):
I wonder if this view may be part of the reason why Jamie goes on so many walks:
Ah, fall!
Learning Curves
In some ways, Burrito has had to learn to be a chimpanzee. Lab chimps don’t get many chances to act like chimps – they often don’t have access to other chimps to groom or play with, they don’t get to forage for their food, and they don’t have room to move like chimps should move. Those of them who are lucky enough to move to a sanctuary usually exhibit a learning curve; they have fears to face and skills to acquire.
One natural chimp behavior that Burrito never exhibited during his first year or two at the sanctuary was brachiating (BREAK-ee-ate-ing). This is the arm-over-arm swinging that chimps do from branch to branch in the trees. Despite never having the space to move in that way before, the other chimps all brachiated across the ceiling of the greenhouse from day 1. But not Burrito. It just didn’t seem to occur to him as an option.
And then one day, he did. We’re not sure what changed, but it was one of many steps Burrito has made on his way to chimpanzee-ness.
The People of the Sanctuary
It’s been over seven years since the chimpanzees’ previous lives as research subjects came to an end, and they moved into their new home at the sanctuary. We’ve seen so many changes in them in that time; not only physically, but in their personalities, their interests, their likes and dislikes. I’m going to do my best to describe each of the chimpanzees as we know them today.
Annie:
Annie is sweet and shy, but is less and less afraid to stick up for herself. She adores her best friend Missy, but has also learned to appreciate alone time. When she’s feeling relaxed, she lies on her back and makes “bird noises” by holding her hand to her mouth and blowing air through. She loves to look at caregivers’ bare feet.
Burrito:
Burrito is boyish, excitable, and always hungry. He loves his caregivers, and turns to them when he’s feeling playful, which is always. He is learning to navigate the social waters of a chimpanzee group, but he still steps out of line from time to time and gets in trouble with the ladies. He has been joining boss Jamie on many of her perimeter walks around Young’s Hill, despite the fact that he’s a little afraid of her.
Foxie:
Foxie is silly and childlike. She is the peacekeeper of the group, and works hard to make sure everyone is getting along. When she’s overjoyed, she does backflips, pirouettes, and a variety of breakdancing moves. She is rarely seen without her beloved troll and Dora the Explorer dolls. She loves fruit smoothie, and likes to tickle her caregivers with her toes.
Jamie:
Jamie is strong, focused, and very, very smart. She is an insecure leader, but what she lacks in confidence she makes up for in determination. She is obsessed with humans, and wants very much to be included in our activities. She enjoys projects and challenges – the trickier, the better. Nothing makes her happier than spending time with a caregiver and a good pair of cowboy boots.
Jody:
Jody is confident, independent, and serious. She is the self-appointed group manager, and often hangs back at the doorway when the chimps are shifting into a new area and ushers the other chimps through with an extended arm. She loves to make giant nests with mountains of blankets, and dives into them head-first with a low moan of contentment that we call her “dinosaur noise.”
Missy:
Missy is an adventurous, athletic thrill seeker. If she were a human, she’d be the type to enjoy activities like sky diving and bungee jumping. She’s extremely loyal to her chimpanzee group, and will stick up for any of them at anytime, no questions asked. Her propensity for tending to the other chimps’ wounds has earned her the nickname “Dr. Missy.” She would do anything for tomatoes.
Negra:
Negra is regal, impatient, and wise. She stays out of most group conflicts, and lets the other chimps know when to cut it out with a decisive pant hoot. She is the cranky grandma who everyone’s a little afraid of, but respects nonetheless. Her ideal day is made up of blankets, naps, peanuts, and quiet.
The Queen
There’s a reason why we call Negra the Queen. Although she’s not in charge, she has a quiet dignity that earns the respect of the other chimpanzees.
