Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Enrichment

Jody

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Jody has a few new fans who have pointed out that she is not as represented in our blog posts as some of the other chimpanzees. I think there are a few reasons for that. She is not interested in as much attention from humans as Jamie or Foxie (for example). Jody gives us very enthusiastic greetings and then goes on her way to do her own thing. Sometimes she doesn’t like to have her photo taken (when she’s unhappy with something, she spits huge mouthfuls of water at us in a very deliberate way :). And often she’s relaxing in a part of the building that’s not easy to photograph.  In any case, below are a few photos of Jody that we have not shared before.

We shared a couple of photos of Jody photos in a recent e-newsletter to show how dramatically the chimpanzees have changed in their physical appearance. Below is another photo of Jody taken the first day the chimpanzees were at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.  The below photo really gets to me. She was so happy to have these blankets to nest with, and she made the smallest circle around her. She looks so fragile. I don’t think she realized how much bigger her life had become. Thank you to all of Jody’s Pals!

Foxie adopts a small British boy

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For two days, Foxie abandoned her trolls for a new doll! We’ve been calling the doll (more of an action figure, really) the small British Boy. He is solid hard plastic, has a top hat, knickers and cloth vest. He’s actually a ring-bearer – he’s holding a pillow with a ring on it in his hand.

His legs and arms move, and the best part – he has eyelids that open and close. Foxie spent a lot of time “grooming” his eyes. She was smitten. She held on to him for at least two days straight. It was adorable. I haven’t worked at the chimp house in a few days, so I don’t know the fate of the British Boy. We’ll let you know. It was difficult to get photos because Foxie is always on the move, but here are a few.

Foxie climbing while holding the British Boy and a green monkey!

Raisin Logs

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Raisin logs are a fun treat, especially for Jamie who gets to exercise her tool-using ability. We drill holes in logs and then stuff raisins into the holes so the chimps have to work to get them out. Jamie also gets to exercise her hoarding tendencies – check out the pile that she gathered by her feet.

Chimps are famous for their ability to use tools, but its not just a means to an end for them – most chimps truly enjoy the process. 

Missy’s new blanket

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Here is a video from the first day outside. One of our board members, Zibby Wilder, brought a blanket made by her grandmother specifically for Missy. The video is Missy taking the small pink blanket and nesting with it, Jamie coming over to perch on a boat bumper, Missy being overcome by the urge to chase Annie, and Foxie stomping around on the deck. Foxie’s stomping is something she did when the chimpanzees went into the play area for the first time – I wonder if Angie would do the same thing.

Troll Mania

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Troll dolls have reached fad status at the chimp house. Jody recently caught on to the trend! Here’s a photo of her with a somewhat bald troll in her hip pocket.

Jody with troll in hip pocket

Foxie continues to carry around Princess (or her formerly pink-haired look alike) and allows us to wash the now-bald Trixie each day. When Foxie sees Trixie in the laundry basket drying out, she softly hoots or whimpers, indicating that she wants Trixie back. Then she carries around one big troll (Trixie) and one small troll for most of the day. We’re looking forward to adding to the troll clan – keep them coming!
Foxie and Princess 1

Foxie and Princess two

Foxie and Princess three

More party photos

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Negra looks on as Foxie opens a birthday gift

Foxie opening gift

Jody and Missy in a mess of wrapping paper. Missy with raisin board.

Jody and Missy in a mess of wrapping paper

Annie opening a gift

Annie opening gift

Missy and Jamie looking out window at horses in field. The chimps are still using a lot of the gifts, like the sturdy yellow table Jamie is sitting on, from the last party donated by blog readers through our Target and Amazon wish list; and the humans are very gratefully using all of the kitchen stuff we received! We’re still adding new items to the Amazon wish list (see link at right) – the latest items received include a Little Tykes wrench and a mirror so we can see the chimpanzees when they are on the second level in the playroom. A huge THANK YOU to all who have donated their time, talent, gifts and money in order for us to care for this very unique group of seven.

Missy & Jamie looking at horses

Five chimpanzees on catwalk resting in front of the windows after a terrific party.

Five chimp lumps on catwalk