Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

friends

Easy Like a Sunday Morning

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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.

Burrito, Annie And A Nest Of Pink Tickets

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A few days ago, while cleaning the playroom on the original side of the building (where Jamie’s group lives), I heard some loud chimpanzee laughter coming from the front rooms.  Of course, I was pretty sure who one of the chimps was, but who was he playing with?  It was Annie!  Playing in a big pile of pink raffle tickets!  I really love seeing Annie able to let loose and enjoy playful interactions with her family.  Being low on the social hierarchy can lead to stressful moments throughout the day, but Annie proves that she can still relax and kick up her heels with her friends once in a while.

Honey B and Dora with a Side of Gordo

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Honey B and Dora have the most fun together!  My personal favorite is when Honey B is standing on her head, and Dora is playing with her feet (keep your eyes peeled and you may see this a couple of times in today’s video!).

Today, Gordo happened to be sitting close by and wanted badly to get in on the fun!  While often times, two’s a party and three’s a crowd, Gordo managed to sneak in a few play moments with the girls!

Enjoy!

Annie’s Dance Card is Full!

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It’s such a joy to watch Annie kicking up her heels!

Today, as caregiver Anna and I were cleaning the playroom, Anna commented that there was some serious chimp laughter coming from the front rooms.  Sure enough, I found Annie and Burrito whooping it up!

Missy was sitting close by.  I figured she was annoyed with the tomfoolery.  Little did I know, she was simply waiting for her turn to be silly with her dear friend Annie.  Pretty sweet!

Reminder:

Sunday, August 25th was the second installment of the HBO docuseries Chimp Crazy, which is available to watch on MAX. Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance will once again be hosting a discussion this evening after the episode (August 27, 6pm PT / 8pm CT / 9pm ET) to explore Episode 2: Gone Ape. Register to join the second installment in this discussion series “Primate Perspectives: Unpacking Chimp Crazy. We will talk about the contents of episode two and the history of the use of chimpanzees as pets and the current pet trade in monkeys. We will be recording it this week, so if you register but are unable to join, we will send you a link to the recording.

What’s in the blog? WHAT’S IN THE BLOG!?!?

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The answer is a few things are in today’s blog!

First up is this series of photos I got of Mora yesterday. For those who are new to the blog, Mora is the name staff have loving given Mave and Dora when they are together. Usually where you find one, you’ll find the other. These photos I got from the perspective of the foot box while I was playing with Dora. I had a hard time deciding which photo would make it to the blog. However, after consulting with other staff members, the answer was all of them should just make it since they too had a hard time deciding.

Dora and Mave through the foot box:

Next up, I have been thinking recently about some of the amazing soundtracks/compilation albums. As I was listening to one on the way to work the other day, I asked myself, which songs would be a part of “Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest: The Soundtrack.” Enlisting some help, here are the songs staff think would make a pretty good Spotify playlist:

“Baby Love” by The Supremes

“Enter Sandman” by Richard Cheese (Metallica cover song)

“Feel the Noize” by Quiet Riot (Slade cover song)

“Heavenly Day” by Patty Griffin

“Ice, Ice, Baby” by Vanilla Ice

“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen

“The Rocky Montage” from the movie “Rocky”

“Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliot

“Murder Train” song from the television show “How I Met Your Mother”

“The Girl from Ipanema” by Antônio Carlos Jobim

Everyone had their reason for their choice. Like how “Enter Sandman” was listened to during the transport of Willy B, Honey B, and Mave from Wildlife Waystation. Or how a staff member sings “Baby Love” with some lyric substitutions to include Honey B. If you had a song that you think would be on a soundtrack about the sanctuary, which one would you choose?

Lastly, early giving has opened up for our GiveBig campaign. This year we hope to raise $50,000 for our BIG personalities, BIG appetites, and BIG plans for the future! Every little bit helps us reach our goal to provide the best life for our residents. The actual date for GiveBig is May 2-3. Be sure to check out our fundraiser page here!

Bonus photos

Who is going all in for their daily night bag?

It’s Honey B!

And near by was her half-sister, Rayne!

Jody enjoying a wadge of what remains of her lunch cucumber!

Someone to lean on

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Annie has always had a nervous disposition. In the years immediately following her arrival at the sanctuary, she was prone to bouts of acute anxiety akin to panic attacks. Thankfully, these have become less and less frequent over the years but they still occur on occasion. While it’s hard for us to say exactly what sets them off, they appear to be triggered by tension or ambiguity in social relationships. It’s hard to be a primate, as we all know too well.

This afternoon, I spent some time photographing the chimps as they quietly patrolled the hill, foraged for browse, and climbed the various towers and play structures. At one point I noticed Annie nearby with her hair standing on end. I could tell something was wrong.

She began to pant-hoot softly, each hoot trailing off into a whimper. Alone, she walked hurriedly to a climbing structure and began to climb the ladder. But she turned back before reaching the top.

Soon her whimpers grew into screams.

Her walk became a sprint.

She was alone and desperate for reassurance.

There’s only one person that Annie looks to in moments like these.

Just then, Missy emerged from the greenhouse and into Annie embrace.

And like that, Annie’s face began to soften.

And her breathing began to slow.

As Katelyn mentioned recently, the relationship between Annie and Missy can be complicated at times. Thankfully for Annie, there are still times when it is predictably straightforward and simple. Because Annie is the kind of person that needs someone to lean on.