Caring for a chimp like Negra, who has serious mobility challenges but still spends time with her group, can be a delicate balancing act. We still want to provide her group mates with the chance to forage outside, but that requires that we serve Negra a special lunch, which can upset the other chimps’ sense of fairness or lead to a temptation to steal from her. We’re fortunate that Negra is high-ranking, but sometimes the other chimps are bold enough to test their luck. No one is taking advantage of Negra on Missy’s watch, though…
Food
Happy Fourth!
Today we celebrated July 4th with the chimpanzees!
It was a whirlwind of a day. Tons of food, fun and sunshine.
We hope that those of you who choose to celebrate the 4th have fun, and most of all STAY SAFE!
Easy Like a Sunday Morning
While it wasn’t exactly quiet in the Chimp House this morning, I did stumble upon some quiet moments.
It’s been so fun watching George make friends. And while Cy is definitely George’s defender, Gordo seems to be his closest friend. Back in February, you got to see George and Gordo play, play, play! But they also spend time grooming. Well, Gordo grooms George, George grooms George. George has adapted so well to his new living environment and social group, but he still isn’t grooming the other chimps. Someday soon, we hope.
On the other side of the building, I caught Negra up on a bench in one of the front rooms, enjoying her meal. Usually, when we serve a meal, everyone gets one item at a time before we move to the next item. But not Negra! She wants you to load her up with everything! Which she will stuff into her mouth, hands, feet and sometimes her pelvic pocket, and hit the road. Then she can take her time enjoying her meal, often times in bed!
These quiet moments are some of the best.
The Crunchy Cafe
Welcome to the Crunchy Café – the only place in town that serves everything crunch.
4.8/5 stars (16 reviews)
Cle Elum, WA
Winter hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm PT
Grab your favorite crunch, have a seat, and turn up the volume.
Rest, Relaxation, and…Pomegranates?
After a food and fun filled Thanksgiving celebration yesterday, the chimps are enjoying a laid-back day today. It is overcast and chilly, which has me feeling pretty envious of Negra who has spent much of her day in a very cozy blanket nest. Jamie too was tucked into an elaborate nest in an adjacent room as she supervised Anna and I cleaning her playroom. After a relaxing morning, we added some excitement to the day by serving whole pomegranates with lunch. Enjoy a photo series of Dora savoring every last bit of her pomegranate!
I hope you are also able to rest and relax (and enjoy a pomegranate of your own, if that’s your thing!) as you recuperate from your holiday festivities!
Breakfast With Burrito And Friends
Today started very Fall like. This morning was a little darker, a little drizzly and a little bit chilly. The chimpanzees are really enjoying the cooler temperatures, and Jamie’s group of 6 headed right out onto Young’s Hill for their morning patrol. Even Negra ventured out, with a doll tucked into her pelvic pocket!
Come breakfast time, everyone meandered in from the Hill at their own pace. And surprisingly, Annie was the last one in, making Burrito pretty impatient for his breakfast! But then, Burrito doesn’t like to sit still for anything.
Come have breakfast with the chimps!
Breakfast with Neggie and Friends
Join Negra and friends as volunteer Patti serves breakfast this morning!
What’s on the menu? Smoothies, oranges, cherry tomatoes, chow, and peanuts! YUM!
