Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Honey B

Negra’s Night Bag Recipe

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‘Twas nine days before Christmas and all through the sanctuary not a creature was stirring except . . . Burrito.

The socks were hung on the firehose with care, in hope that fun treats would soon be there.

The chimps were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of night bags danced in their heads.

Especially Negra. She loves night bags, which are a post-dinner treat. The evening wouldn’t be the same without them.

Negra loves night bags so much, she wanted to share her night bag recipe with you for the holidays.

Recipe for night bags

Ingredients: popcorn, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut flakes, raisins, sunflower seeds, dried fruit (oranges, apples, pears, strawberries)

Supplies: small brown bags

Directions: mix the ingredients together in a bowl. Scoop about ½ cup of mix into a small brown bag and roll it up tight. Serve before bedtime or anytime.

Optional: decorate and personalize the bags before filling with mix. Here are some examples:

You can make up your own night bag mix with your favorite treats (chocolate, peppermints, marshmallows, pretzels, etc.). Don’t forget, it’s perfect for the neighborhood holiday night bag exchange.

Happy holidays!
Negra

P.S. If you’d like to help fill night bags, we are always in need of more sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and raisins – please see our Amazon wish list. Thank you from all of us!

Bonus photos:

Willy B enjoying a night bag.

Honey B snacking on pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and raisins from her night bag.

Gordo keeping his night bag in a safe place.

 

Hanging with Honey B

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We’ve all been running around lately with introductions and keeping things moving. So whenever there’s a slow moment, I like to take a breather and visit everyone, just to hang out. This week, I was wandering through the chimp house, hoping to find someone up for some company, when I spotted something strange: a long bamboo stick wedged inside a towel on the tool chest near the playrooms. I could tell right away I’d walked in on something mid-mission—and sure enough, the culprit was Honey B, in the middle of what looked suspiciously like a towel heist. When she saw me, Honey B marched right over, politely (but insistently) demanding the return of her bamboo stick. I handed it back, no questions asked. As a thank you, Honey B insisted on making sure my arm, shoes, and even my radio were spotless—her own version of gratitude.

Honey B Hi-jinks, Episode 327

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During our introduction process, we try to limit visual access to the other chimpanzees in order to provide the newly introduced group with some privacy and minimize interference from other groups.  We’ve added privacy panels to spaces that the chimps have access to, like windows inside chimp spaces, because they are pretty “chimp proof”.  But in other spaces that the chimps can’t access, like windows in human areas that look into chimp spaces, we use curtains or kraft paper.   When Cy recently moved in with George, we added kraft paper to the window adjacent to the cubby in the mezzanine.  As many of you know, the cubby is Honey B’s favorite spot!

Honey B was not on board with the addition of paper on HER window.

A few days ago, when Honey B’s group was hanging out in the mezzanine while we cleaned other spaces, she decided to do something about the offensive paper.  Unfortunately, the only tools available in the mezzanine were empty chow bags from breakfast and lunch.  Never fear, Honey B persisted and found a much better tool.

Please enjoy today’s 327th episode of Honey B’s hi-jinks!

Do you think Honey B is successful in removing the paper?

Bouncy Ball Mayhem & Mystery

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Willy B has always had an undeniable love for enrichment that makes a lot of noise such as slinkies, boxes, and his new love, bouncy balls. When he gets a hold of the bouncy balls, chaos ensues- bouncing erratically, rolling around, and a whole lot of noise. When Willy B’s group goes into the mezzanine we often give him 1 or 2 through the food chute, if he doesn’t have one already. It seems to be pure joy for Willy B! Recently, the bouncy balls have been mysteriously appearing outside the enclosures. And because we could not catch anyone in the act, we caregiver started coming up with our own theories!

  • Could it be that Willy B’s exuberant play is causing the balls to bounce through the gaps between the ceiling and the mesh? Some believed he was launching them with such intensity that they were escaping entirely, defying physics in the process.
  • Others theorized that the balls might be slipping out through the food chute, carried by the force of Willy B’s powerful throws.
  • But there was also a strong suspicion that his mischievous friend, Honey B, might be the true culprit, secretly tossing the balls out and enjoying the mayhem from afar.

At last, the mystery was solved when we watched Honey B on the security camera this morning. In the beginning, it seemed like she just wanted a little peace and quiet away from Willy B’s wild bouncing sessions, but as you’ll see in the video, she ended up having a lot of fun with those bouncy balls herself!

With Willy B’s 35th birthday just around the corner, we’d love to fill his space with all kinds of new bouncy balls to fit the theme of his birthday party “Bouncy Ball Mayhem”. You can help make his birthday extra special by adding to his collection through our Amazon and Chewy wish lists. Let’s make sure he has a chaotic birthday!

The Ghost of Marmot Mountain

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I was cleaning in the Mezzanine recently when I glanced at the window that looks into the Marmot Mountain Playroom. To my surprise, all I saw was a pair of dangling legs and white-ish sheet hanging from the ceiling. Though October, the traditional Spooky Season, has come and gone, this individual was not accepting of that fact. This individual clearly thinks Spooky Season is a year round celebration, like her mother.

Can you guess who the ghost of Marmot Mountain is?

Good Night, Sanctuary

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The day is done, the sun is gone, and it’s almost Jamieween! So, it’s time to say, “Good night, friends.”

Good night, Jamie.

Good night, Rayne.

Good night, Negra.

Good night, Betsy.

Good night, Foxie.

Good night, BK (Barn Kitty).

Good night, Honey B.

Good night, Annie.

Good night, Sanctuary.

Fort B Access Granted

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There are times I wish I was able to peek into the chimpanzees’ thoughts to see what they actually are thinking. For instance, I really wish I could peek into Honey B’s mind to see what that brain conjures up imaginatively.

For the six years I have known her, watching her has always been intriguing. If you were able to watch her almost every day, you too would understand that mind is running on all cylinders at all times. From the luring in of unsuspecting caregivers to spit in their face, to the placement of toys in places to mess with daily shifting, to her strategic placement of items when she is building her nests, and yes, to some how figuring out how to steal a hose while the caregivers were away.

I was spending time with her in the afternoon while she was in the mezzanine. She was specifically in the area commonly know as “the cubby.” If there is an spot in her areas that she without a shadow of a doubt love, it’s that little spot. She was in such a playful mood (with me at least), spinning around on her back, making her little grunts of happiness that serenades my ears. She reached outside her area, grabbed a purple blanket and drug it in. Draping it over her head, she grabbed two corners and held them up into the cage mesh.

It looked like a little tent or fort. Honey B then invited me to come closer. It was like we were both playing a little game of “fort,” which she seemed to think was fun.

It was really reminiscent of being a child again, playing fort and telling secrets. And as it happens somewhat frequently, I missed a grand opportunity. I was telling my friend about it, to which they asked if I had a blanket on hand to complete Fort B. Unfortunately, I did not since I had not anticipated this fun little game. Next time though! (Hopefully there is a next time.)

Side note: here is Honey B’s mother, Missy, utilizing a fort during “Blanket Fort Day.” Missy was enjoying her food puzzle and watching that young whippersnapper, George, as he was on the Bray earlier.

*Bonus Photos*

Terry munching on his dinner carrot
Willy B enjoying his night bag