Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Enrichment

A Wintry Mix of This and That

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For those in more mild climates free of cold winter weather, when the forecast calls for a wintry mix, you can expect a little rain, a little snow, a little sleet, a little bit of everything. A little of this and a little of that.

For most of the day, there was rain, though it was more of a drizzle. While tonight calls for some slight snow before it turns to rain again. Though the chimpanzees had access to go outside, everybody felt it better to stay indoors with weather like this. For them, it was a good day to wrap themselves up in blankets and nap.

Willy B felt this was the most optimal course of action for the majority of the day.

While I was taking photos of Willy B, it almost felt like he was modeling different takes for me, which if you know Willy B, he likes to review the photos of himself.

He soon climbed down to take a look.

While he napped, Honey B and Mave groomed.

Before the napping and grooming sessions commenced, they were treated with firehose cubes in the afternoon.

Maybe their excitement over one of their favorite food puzzles put them in a relaxing mood afterward.

While the Seven stayed indoors all day today to avoid walking in the remaining snow and mud, they also felt today called for naps and resting.

Negra was fully onboard with this plan.

Though today was a day of relaxing and staying warm indoors, we just can never truly know what each day will bring and what choices they will make.

Though yesterday had similar conditions minus the rain, the Seven were dashing around the hill, climbing structures, and collecting snow.

Annie was really into her snowy treats yesterday and made several trips outside to grab some of the nearest snow.

Foxie decided she had to try to find some of the further reaching patches left on the structures.

While Foxie had a purpose of collecting snow on the structures, Jamie climbed from structure-to-structure just because she could.

After climbing most of the structures, she returned piloerect, possibly because of the chill factor outside or because she was happy and satisfied with her winter adventure.

Days like these are possible due to our followers and donors who help us care for these 10 unique individuals and to provide them with fun and interesting activities.

This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Marcus Andrews. Thank you so much, Marcus. With your generous gift, you made it possible for us to provide the warmest blankets, fun enrichment, and good meals on a wintry mix of a day.

There are many ways to help support the chimpanzees and cattle who call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest home. You can become a Chimpanzee Pal to one of the chimpanzees, a Bovine Buddy to one of the cattle, a Produce Patron who helps us provide the freshest of foods, or Sponsor-a-Day of sanctuary like Marcus. These forms of support help us provide a comfortable lifestyle for these individuals who haven’t had the most comfortable life before being brought to sanctuary.

Honey B’s Toy Inspection

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Although Honey B is relative newcomer to the sanctuary, it’s hard to imagine life without her. Her spontaneity is so fun to watch and her wild spirit is infectious! I think all of us caregivers can agree she makes us do the silliest things we may not have never thought we would do. Honey B’s creativity is the most amazing part about her. You really can never guess what she will do next. Because of her creative mind and her spontaneity options are limitless!

Last week, we decided to give her an early Christmas present. There were so many amazing gifts that would be given out all at once and we didn’t want Honey B to overlook it in all the commotion. However, Honey B of course notices everything! This present was specifically picked out for her. She seems to love scooting around on her scooter and enjoys spinning around on the big mirror in the Mezzanine. So it only made sense that we try out one of the spin wheels! Honey B decided before she would give it a go, she had to make sure the toy was sturdy. I mean, I think we all understand that logic. No one is going to walk out on ice if they think they will fall through or lay on a hammock without feeling steady before you lay down! Honey B also, as you will see, decided it needed a wash and she was right. We had not washed it yet! To know Honey B is truly a wild ride and an honor.

Bonus photos!!!

Negra briefly went out this morning for a snow snack!

Burrito watched everyone go out first before he joined.

Jody eating some snacks.

Missy by Jo’s side.

And Jamie of course!

The Return of the Queen

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Yesterday’s big milestone came as a surprise to us all.

If you have not yet read Diana’s descriptive account of the shocking event, you can do so by looking at yesterday afternoon’s blog post. For those of you who are wary of hyperlinks (or just too lazy to open up another tab in your browser), I’ll give you the CliffsNotes summary: Negra exceeded all of our expectations by climbing higher than ever before… in pursuit of a pineapple top.

Today, we decided to set up another outdoor forage to provide afternoon enrichment for the chimps. Of course, we had to put another pineapple top on the  highest lookout just in case Negra was feeling adventurous again.

Spoiler: She was not.

The Red Sox don’t always beat the Yankees, the Starks don’t always defeat the Lannisters, and Negra doesn’t always want to go outside.

In today’s case, Negra did not spend the afternoon roaming around the grassy hillside in search of food. She didn’t even spend much time outside. In fact, she only went out for a few seconds, grabbed the closest mouthful of leeks, and retired back to the warm indoor areas where she spent the rest of the day napping alone in a pile of fleece blankets.

Naturally, Neggie did not need to do anything differently. I needed to fix my expectations.

As J.B. eloquently mused in Friday’s blog post, it’s easy for people who work with captive wildlife to only tell the stories that fit a certain narrative and skew public perception. To combat this, we can strive to tell “the best obtainable version of the truth.” To best appreciate yesterday’s triumph, it helps to understand some simple facts about Negra that may provide some valuable context.

As far as I can tell, singular moments of curiosity and bravery are rare for Negra. Instead of the grassy outdoor habitat, Neggie usually prefers the familiarity and security of indoor enclosures. In particular, her individual well-being seems inextricably tied to the comfort of the heated loft and the reliable provision of staple foods. During today’s breakfast service, for example, she declined fresh apple slices in favor of the bland, processed chow that she gets at every meal. She chose to savor every little piece while sitting on the plain bench in Front Room 4, all while looking out at the forested surroundings through steel caging and fogged glass.

Yesterday’s unexpected journey seemed to have satisfied Negra’s modest appetite for new experiences, but it perhaps had a greater effect on the staff. I think Diana may have captioned this story the best: “This is going to take me well into 2021.”

Today, of course, Negra resumed her normal pattern of sticking to the safer options. She napped, snacked, and snuggled up indoors as if nothing exciting had happened yesterday. Apart from her half-hearted foray onto the Hill to scoop up some leeks, she ensured that today was remarkably unremarkable.

That’s just fine with us. We’ll continue to celebrate her regardless.

 

Snow and Unicorn Blankets

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What a day! We just want to say goodnight from a very busy chimp house. Again, I can’t wait to write up a blog about Jamie I have in my head, but alas it will have to wait another week. I thought I would share a sweet moment with Honey B. Most nights when we close up the chimp house on phase 1 Honey B, Willy B, and Mave will already be nestled into bed. They usually like to go to bed early, whereas I am not sure Jamie even sleeps. But the past few nights as I am about to lock up the 3’s side, Honey B has been up and it almost looks like she was waiting for something. So, I have been offering her a few extra blankets before I turn the lights off. Once she has the blanket she throws it on her back or quickly drapes it behind her and makes a bed, meanwhile pant hooting goodnight.

If today had a theme, besides being busy, it would be the chimps love snow! Though by late February I think we will all be over it. But eating snow never gets old!

Even Willy B is starting to come around to this snow thing.

There was still snow on the ground, but enough had melted for everyone to go explore outside. Even NEGRA! I suspect she was trying to catch a quick glimpse of the neighbors in the chute or see the construction going on.

Burrito stayed back at first to be the look-out but eventually joined everyone out on the Hill.

Burrito or Sasquatch, I guess I will let you all decide.

Missy zipped around the Hill as per usual!

Little Foxie followed Jody, Missy, and Annie out on the Hill, but it got a little too cold for her so she turned around.

After venturing on Young’s Hill everyone agreed with Foxie and spent some time inside.

Negra wrapped herself up in an early Christmas present and did one of her favorite food puzzles, peanut butter magazines. I mean who doesn’t need a colorful unicorn blanket! I do have to make a confession though. This was my intention of putting the unicorn blanket on the wish list. I wanted to see Negra wrapped in a cozy, soft, and colorful unicorn blanket. There was a VERY good chance Negra was never going to see this blanket and Jody was going to shred it to pieces. But… just look at how comfy Negra looks!

Jamie had a busy day watching us clean and supervising the electricians working around the chimp house. But, that was pretty exhausting so she got cozy in a big nest she built and took a well-deserved nap!

All in all we day a great day, but I think we humans are going to curl up in our nests now. Goodnight!

Through a Window

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Windows are cool.

They let us keep an eye on the residents but, more importantly, also serve to give the chimpanzees a current view of their surroundings. The chimps use them to socialize with the neighbors, survey the property, and monitor human activity.

Today, I took some photos of the chimps from outside their areas.

Jamie
Jody
Burrito
Anthony, trying his best to be artsy
Jamie

On snowy days like today, the windows are even more crucial. Why step outside and get cold toes when you can just spy on everyone from a warm blanket nest? Their logic is irrefutable.

I also stepped into the new playrooms (under construction but almost finished) and looked through all the windows to imagine what the new chimps will see when they get here. J.B. is still rigging the overhead LED lights and some of the windows are still covered, but the windows and skylights fill the space with soft sunlight even on cloudy days. Of course, Honey B watched me the whole time from the reinforced window that looks into the new addition from the Mezzanine.

Honey B
Honey B and Mave (fore- and background, respectively)

Just a Couple of Wishes

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What a week! Sunday was weird, Monday was better, and Tuesday and Wednesday were both busy and fun. It’s been another busy day of construction projects, produce shopping and delivery, routine cleaning and caregiving, and planning for the winter holiday season.

Speaking of which, we’d love if you all took a moment to consider purchasing something off of our holiday Wish List! Outreach Coordinator Kelsi curates the list and has added some special items. The additions include a new skateboard for Honey B, books for Jamie, fleece blankets for all the chimps, and hardware that will help us to furnish the new playrooms.

If the item you hope to donate is already purchased, there are always items such as dietary supplements, storage totes, cleaning products and office supplies that are equally important! I can’t speak for the other staff, but I get pretty stoked when people donate mundane items like wet erase markers and refills for the label printer. If you feel like making my day (or contributing to the welfare of the chimps), you can access the list directly by clicking here.

Additionally, we caregivers have two primary wishes that are not Prime items but are equally tangible: for all chimpanzees to reach their sanctuary homes and for all the sanctuary’s residents to stay happy and healthy.

Of course, this wish also applies to the bovines. As Katelyn mentioned on Monday, Meredith looked much better than the day before and her check-up went well, so we’re not too concerned but are still taking precautions.

To facilitate the health exam, we shifted the cattle into the Bud Box and then isolated Meredith in the narrow chute. Dr. Erin plays the role of “quarterback” during veterinary exams, managing the team and doing the specialized tasks that require her expertise. In this case, J.B. and I served as her assistants (and Chad also helped on a couple of occasions by promptly running some supplies up from the sanctuary’s vet clinic).

J.B. holds Meredith’s halter.
Erin listens to the activity in Meredith’s rumen.
Nutmeg sniffs the veterinary kit.

 

Frost covers the pasture and surrounding forests.
Meredith’s mother, Honey, watches attentively.

In summary, Dr. Erin did a full visual inspection, palpated and listened to Meredith’s gut, tested her reflexes and responses, collected blood and fecal samples for diagnostics, and used the opportunity to administer some preventative antibiotics. We then let Meredith back out with the herd and monitored her for further discomfort or difficulties.

Meredith peeks around the barn.

Since then, we’ve been frequently visiting the barn to check on Meredith and give her supplements. These include minerals, probiotics, electrolytes and anti-inflammatory meds. Surprisingly, though, Merry looks fantastic. She’s eating heartily, breathing normally, moving with the herd and laying down in the straw bedding at night. As happy as we are with this improvement, it makes her Sunday troubles even more mysterious. Dr. Erin and the staff are working to rule out some possibilities, but our initial diagnosis of “ain’t doin’ right” currently still stands. This whole thing loosely feels like a low-budget episode of House, M.D. where the team wears Carrhart overalls instead of lab coats.

The best part of the exam, however, was this series of opportunistic portraits that depicts Nutmeg showing affection for his mother, Betsy…

…to the point of being mildly annoying.

P.S. I took all of these photos with the new mirrorless camera and an 85mm portrait lens. A generous supporter purchased both of these items for us via the same Wish List I mentioned above. Consider it further evidence that your contributions help us to do our jobs!