Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Foxie

Checking out the construction process

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Many of our supporters have asked how the chimps feel about the construction that is happening at the sanctuary this summer. In general, they have been pretty calm and curious. While the chimps have a view of a lot of the action, they can’t always see all the changes that are happening. They did get a good look at the construction process today when we opened the barn doors to do some work in that area.

Here are Foxie and Jody watching from the greenhouse windows (please excuse the sub-par quality phone pictures):

This is their view (also you get to see a dirty playroom):

The Rescue

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Foxie likes to place her dolls in precarious situations and then rescue them. Typically this has looked something like placing them in really high places and knocking them off and catching them, or tossing them in pokey bushes and reaching in to quickly pull them out. Of course she has to feel comfortable venturing to where they are and she doesn’t want any help from the humans. I remember watching her a few years ago when she discovered a couple troll dolls had been placed in a cardboard tube by the humans who thought she might enjoy it. She absolutely did not and was rather incensed that her dolls were in there because she wasn’t comfortable enough to reach in and get them out. Point taken, Foxie! Humans mind your own business!

But all of a sudden, for the first time we’ve seen, Foxie has been repeatedly sticking her dolls in a large cardboard tube the chimps currently have and then seemingly “saving” them. I watched her for some time in the greenhouse this afternoon as she repeatedly shoved the dolls in, gave the tube a good chomping (notice the end) and then pulled her dolls back out, hugging them close to her before inspecting to make sure they survived their ordeal. Whatever the reason Foxie chooses these activities, it’s another big step in comfort and courage for her after all years in her sanctuary home. And as she grows more and more courageous, I guess her dolls do as well.

Everyone was exhausted after that:

A bonus Jody photo! I’m not sure how this is exactly comfortable, but it’s classic Jody style:

Unwind

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We had a nice relaxing day here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest!

Burrito was following Jody around a lot today (on the Hill, in the Playroom, and laid close by her side in the Greenhouse):

But Jody was still able to make sometime for herself:

Annie, Burrito, & Foxie all went off to venture out on the Hill. Everyone eventually went on a walk with Jamie, except Neggie who stayed in her nice warm bed:

Annie did quite a bit of solo walking on Young’s Hill (maybe taking in the nice view or the gentle breeze):

Afterwards Annie was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open:

Jamie was watching the volunteers clean the Playroom in the utmost comfort:

However, Jamie also became so sleepy she couldn’t keep her eyes open:

Thank you, Amy!

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Amy Moore is sponsoring today in honor of the Pearl Jam “Home Shows” in Seattle today and Friday and wanted to include the chimpanzees in her celebration! Pearl Jam’s time in Seattle will be about even more than their much anticipated shows. They are known for taking a stand and lending their voices to increase awareness and support social justice projects and non-profit organizations all over the world and their time back home comes with the goal of banding together in a community wide effort to fight Seattle’s homelessness crisis. Pearl Jam and other community members are matching donations for the Home Fund up to $960,000. Over $11.5 million has already been raised which will be distributed to a variety of organizations working to help people move into stable housing and prevent homeless in the Seattle area.

Amy, thank you so much for sponsoring this special day of sanctuary! And afterall, who knows what the gifts of Hope, Love, Home and Sanctuary make possible for every individual better than the chimpanzees? Just as all living beings should be able to experience.

While many humans are migrating to the westside of the state for the shows, we’re here at the sanctuary celebrating Foxie as she turns 42 years young today! She spent the morning hanging upside down, laughing, playing chase with her doll and her caregivers, and slurping up her breakfast smoothie, the first of many today as Foxie LOVES smoothies! Friends of Foxie have also ensured that there are so many new dolls who will be in attendance at her party today so be sure to check back later for the festivities!

Lazy Play

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These warm summer days have generally been keeping the chimps in reclined positions. Jody and Foxie were calmly grooming and relaxing before lunch, but suddenly Foxie’s toes went rogue and started a mini-play session.