Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Food

A Tale of Two Pineapples

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“A day wasted on others is not wasted on one’s self.” – Charles Dickens

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Volunteers Miranda and Elizabeth prepared breakfast this morning, with the centerpiece being a pineapple-strawberry-protein smoothie. The chimps ate their raw fruit and then drank every last drop of the bright pink smoothie. Of course, we couldn’t just throw the prickly pineapple tops into the Vitamix and we didn’t want to toss them in the compost bucket, either. Because the weather was so pleasant this morning, we ended up hiding the pineapple tops out on Young’s Hill at lunch, along with a forage spread of beets, carrots and potatoes. The chimps gathered themselves (and their dolls) and headed out to forage with gusto.

Of all the chimps, Jody is known for her expertise as a forager. We predicted that she would find at least one of the hidden treasures among the grass.

Surprisingly, Annie was the first to find a pineapple (the one that had been placed on a structure in the middle of the Hill). She triumphantly carried it back down the slope to the Greenhouse.

Negra found the second one since it was hidden in her favorite spot (a straw-lined cabin ear the bottom of the slope). She also carted her pineapple and vegetables back to the shade and shelter of the Greenhouse.

Annie’s pineapple wasn’t hers for very long before Jody casually took it from her. Annie didn’t seem to mind, though.

Jody reclined on the lower deck and relished every spiny leaf of the pineapple top. She held it lovingly and slowly picked it apart.

Neggie was a bit more industrious. Her mechanical breakdown of the pineapple top was quick and purposeful. She ripped off each spine and chewed it to a pulp before spitting it on the deck below. She soon had a pile of peels and discarded wadges at her feet, then chomped into the juicy core.

Jamie was not interested in either pineapple, preferring to eat beets and supervise from afar.

Burrito, meanwhile, ate anything and everything that he could find.

 

Dining Out

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It’s almost like summer officially arrived today. The sun felt stronger this morning, and the grass on the hill looked considerably more golden than it did they day before. On this side of the Cascades, the Northwest is drying out. Although we have blue skies and warm weather ahead, we also have to contend with an arid and dusty landscape until the snows arrive later this year. It will be a sad day when the last raspberry is picked and the chimps will have to wait until next summer for more.

The chimpanzees are dealing with the annual desiccation of Young’s Hill in their own way. Today’s lunch of nuts and veggies was spread across the habitat, motivating them to spill out of the Greenhouse and forage. The prairie grass was extra crispy underfoot, causing the chimps to tread carefully while wading through in search of food.

Negra:

Burrito:

Jody:

Jamie:

After collecting handfuls of produce, the chimps all climbed onto the habitat’s various wooden structures. From there, they could eat their meal in the warm sunshine while sitting far above the prickly grass below.

Foxie:

Negra:

The meal ended the way that all great meals end; the chimps put their feet up and took a well-deserved siesta.

Burrito:

Even this dismembered troll doll dozed off.

Only one chimpanzee returned to the outdoors to enjoy some alone time in the shade…

…and I soon identified her as Foxie, enjoying a moment of solitude in the warm summer breeze.

Whatchu lookin’ at?

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Food peering can be defined as one chimpanzee staring closely at the other chimpanzee’s face and/or directly at their food. (Also known as “if I stare long enough, maybe that person will share.”) Sometimes this behavior works and a chimp will share, depending on the value of the item and who the chimp is. However, the owner will often keep on eating and decline to share despite having another chimp peering at their the face. This behavior might seem uncomfortable and probably because it would be for us humans. But these guys do not seem to mind most of the time!

Negra was taking her time at breakfast and enjoying her bananas:

Jody had eaten her portion and noticed Negra still had bananas. Naturally, Jody began food peering:

Though Jody was food peering, Negra was not swayed. Negra stayed there and ate her bananas:

At least Jody gave it a try. What is that quote? “You miss 100 of the shots you don’t take.”:

Also bonus photos!

Burrito (pilo) walking on Young’s Hill this morning:

Foxie:

Jody surveying the Hill:

Jody holding her feet:

This one makes me giggle a little bit. I think it explains Jamie well. She has her people (Missy and Annie) grooming as she relaxes:

Beyond Love

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Burrito loves food, but there are times when love doesn’t adequately describe their relationship.

With hands full and mouth stuffed, he retreats,

to a quiet, still place.

In these moments, he looks heavenward in a state of transcendence,

and with each bite slips further the surly bonds of earth and time.

Suffering and desire cease to exist. The boundaries of self begin to dissolve.

In these moments, there is only one thing. There is only food.

Unfortunately, every meal has to come to an end.

Al fresco

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Missy and a few of the other chimps took their breakfast outside this morning.

Chimps will often eat many of the peels and rinds that we avoid, but only after they’ve finished the best parts. Annie and Burrito are the biggest scavengers of these less desirable bits.

After fueling up, Missy led her gang up to the Twister and then on a walk around the perimeter of Young’s Hill.