csnw
x-mas tree forage
Today volunteer Kim brought over a discarded tree from her friend Michelle. Kim “decorated” the tree with food for lunch. Later, volunteer Pam came and told me about a Swedish holiday called St. Knut’s (or Canute’s). It was on January 13th. It seems the chimps celebrated it well, though a bit late…
Missy up close
Here are a few more photos – all of these of Missy – taken with the combo new camera and “Kathy lens” which produced the photos of Jamie last week. Missy REALLY likes to eat snow, so much so that she will eat it all day long and will sometimes shiver as though she’s lowered her body temperature. She’s pretty active, though, and a game of chase gets her body warmed right up.
Imaginary play
This morning, while Elizabeth and I were cleaning the playroom, Annie was sitting in the window. She playfully opened her mouth for a “drink of water” through the glass. She’s not the only chimpanzee at CSNW that we have witnessed play this game. We caught a short clip of it:
This reminded me of something I saw, but failed to get on camera a few weeks ago. Jamie was sitting on this small toy horse and scooting along the playroom floor. She then lifted her leg up high and over in an exaggerated dismount. Two things stood out to me- the first was how interesting it is to me that chimps engage in this type of pretend play, and second- how truly little we know about the chimps’ histories. She seemed to know exactly what she was doing when she “dismounted”. We suspect she was a “pet” prior to the lab, but was she raised by a cowboy (hence the boot obsession?), did she just see this on TV?, or was she taught to ride a horse at some point? We may never know, but it was a fascinating moment none the less.
Here’s a photo of the horse, for scale. 🙂
Happy Birthday, Lynn Williamson
A very big happy birthday to chimp house volunteer Lynn Williamson. This is super sponsor-a-day! Donations came in Lynn’s name from good friend Diane Thompson AND from Eric & Sheila, Pam & Steve, Mel & Dawn and Cathy & Brad. Are you feeling the love?
Maybe a couple of photos will add to that feeling.
This photo goes way back. It always makes me smile because it contains three things I love: chimpanzees enthusiastically playing, Foxie with a giant playface, and Missy bipedal. Seems good for a birthday wish:
and here’s Burrito, who just celebrated his birthday a few days ago:
Happy Birthday, Kathy Cochran
Jeannine, Mike and Daniela sponsored today in honor of Kathy Cochran’s birthday. Kathy has done quite a bit for the sanctuary, including the design of both our Year One and Year Two books, the creation of our DVD/CD, display signs for both of our auctions, the donation of original artwork and a very generous financial donation of $5,000 towards Young’s Hill during our 2010 Out of the Box auction.
So, Kathy, today is a big happy birthday from all of us as well as Jeannine, Mike and Daniela!
Hope you have a pant-hoot-worthy day!
YOUR favorite blog posts
The staff has shared some of their favorite blog posts of the last 2.5 years.
Now here is the compiled list of readers’ favorites:
Let it snow 12/13/2008 – the chimps’ first snow storm. The video was shared on King5 TV in Seattle and brought in some terrific supporters who remain today
Success 8/26/2008 – our announcement that the chimps were outside for the first time
A new doll for Foxie 10/27/2010 – quoting Elizabeth (even though she specifically says not to in the post), this video shows Foxie’s “ritualistic adoration behavior” with her troll dolls
Cowgirl Jamie 9/20/2010 – when Jamie managed to get her opposable toe into an extra-wide boot
Jamie keeps us guessing and Foxie keeps growing 9/22/2008 – video of Jamie going through a purse and using each thing she finds, including a nail file
The thinker… 12/26/2010 – a recent photo of Jamie in the hand chair, examining her hand
Jamie’s boots 11/4/2010 – Jamie enjoying some new boots and looking through a boot catalog
Easter Party 4/12/2009 and And the party continues 4/13/2009 – video and a photo of Burrito and his coconut
Foxie and the giant troll 10/4/2009 – Foxie being a mom to a big troll doll
Tutu retrospective 10/9/2009 – Jamie during her tutu phase (don’t forget to read Chimpanzees wearing clothes about our decision to share photos of the chimps when they choose to wear clothing).
Mail call 10/7/2009 – Jamie opening up the returned auction invites
Playful bunch of chimps 5/14/2010 – a staff favorite too – Negra really wins people over
Old ladies playing 7/3/2008 – another staff favorite with Negra being playful
Young’s Hill and Out of the Box 8/19/2010 – video announcing Young’s Hill, our 2-acre expansion project
Way, way Out of the Box 10/3/2010 – letting everyone know about the success of the Out of the Box auction!
Foxie and her adorable toes 2/13/2010 – Foxie expressing herself with her toes
Nest grunts 10/11/2010 – video/audio of the chimpanzees saying goodnight
Conflict 7/27/2009 – photos and description of the chimpanzees having a disagreement, it explains chimpanzee social dynamics and fear facial expressions a bit
And the list below is from one person – Julie Harding, who went back just one year and selected these favorites (those that were duplicated above weren’t included in the list):
Laughter 10/20/2009 – Foxie and Jamie wrestling and laughing
Smiling 10/29/2009 – an explanation of the difference between human and chimp smiles
Negra’s son Noah 1/14/2010 – a photo of Noah who lives at Save the chimps & who Jennifer and James Douglas sponsored his migration from New Mexico to Florida
Mother’s Day party 5/9/2010 – photos of the party, the volunteers (including Julie and her daughter Sarah) and the great party food
Chimpanzees still in labs 5/13/2010 – information about the Great Ape Protection Act
Foxie’s new baby 5/20/2010 – Foxie and a baby doll (not a troll doll!) – a gift from Tamela
We’ve Come a Long Way Baby! 5/27/10 – the garden and landscaping, thanks to Dakotta of Sustainable Landscaping, Cloudview Ecofarms, and Jackie, J.B. & Denice
Burrtio and Sarah Play 6/4/2010 – a happy Mr. B playing with Sarah
Jamie Then and Now 6/8/2010 – photos contrasting Jamie’s appearance the day she arrived at the sanctuary with two years later
Negra Moments 6/13/2010 – caregivers’ favorite Negra moments or favorite aspects of her personality
Bounty of Trolls 7/6/10 – photos of Foxie with a ridiculous number of troll dolls
Senator Cantwell introduces GAPA companion bill 8/3/2010 – good news and links for more info about the bill
How to Nest by Jody and Missy 8/17/2010 – a photo montage of Jody and Missy nesting (this was one of my favorite posts to write)
Grooming 8/31/2010 – photos of Annie and Missy grooming and explanation of chimpanzee grooming
Today in Memory of Marilyn Goodrich 9/12/2010 – photo of hands and feet
It’s harvest time! 9/21/2010 – the garden’s goodness
HALLOWEEN 10/31/2010
Negra’s daughter Heidi 11/19/10 – a photo of Heidi, Negra’s daughter, who is at the Alamogordo Primate Facility
Thanks for sharing, everyone!
