Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Jamie

Jamie’s exam

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A while back, Jamie developed an abscess on her swelling that would not resolve. Thanks to our positive reinforcement training program, Jamie was letting Diana flush the wound twice a day with an antibiotic solution, but unfortunately it still wasn’t healing. So today, with the help of our wonderful vet, Dr. Erin Zamzow, and the long-distance support of board member Dr. Mensching, we decided to anesthetize Jamie to get a better look.

To say that Jamie was cooperative would be an understatement – it’s more like she’s a part of the veterinary team. We always have to isolate chimpanzees prior to anesthesia so that we can make sure they have an empty stomach and most chimpanzees quickly figure out what’s in store for them. As you can imagine, that can be quite stressful and scary. But Jamie spent the entire morning playing with her caregivers, seemingly without a care in the world. When the time came to induce anesthesia, she willingly presented her arm to Diana for injection.

Along with Dr. Zamzow, we were so grateful to have help today from Dr. Fuller of Ellensburg Animal Hospital, who brought a digital x-ray machine so that we could determine the extent of the wound and ensure there wasn’t a foreign body inside.

All in all it was good news: the injury wasn’t as extensive as we feared, and the x-rays all looked good. Dr. Zamzow was able to sterilize the wound and Diana will continue with the cooperative treatments until Jamie is fully healed. Right now, Jamie is enjoying some quiet time by herself in a room filled with blankets, with waiters on hand to give her sips of Gatorade whenever she desires.

When we are done with procedures, we position the chimps in a way that protects their airway as they recover, and to facilitate this we lay them on a couple of scarves with the ends passed through the caging so that we can gently roll them back into position if they slump over the wrong way. As soon as Jamie was up and about, she put a scarf right back to use as a fashion accessory. You can tell she’s feeling better already.

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Taking the high road

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Jamie often likes to meander on her walks around the hill to climb structures, forage, or just check out the happenings in her kingdom. And when she diverts from the path, she expects whomever is accompanying her to wait patiently in the wings until she is ready to resume walking along the perimeter. It’s pretty funny how well she has us conditioned to her expectations, but it’s a joy to be able to watch her enjoy her time as she periodically looks our way to make sure we are still waiting for her.

Since the climbing structure with Carlene’s Tower and Jamie’s Lookout were built for the chimpanzees, this has become one of her favorite detours. She typically leaves us waiting at the top of the hill as she goes to make her way up the ladder to her Lookout, take in the view, cross the shaky bridge to Carlene’s Tower, and then climb back down the other side. She does a quick search in the foliage below and then usually returns to where she left us waiting so we can proceed on the path around Young’s Hill.

Often we walk in silence, occasionally looking across at one another to offer a head nod (or for Jamie to make sure we’re still wearing her boots). When I walk with her I often stop to take photos or look at something, doing my own exploring, and she will wait for me in return. Sometimes the only sound I hear are her footsteps through the grass as we make our way back to the chimp house. It’s a leisurely stroll with a good friend.

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As part of Jamie’s routine she now usually picks up a tumbleweed along the way and carries it back to the chimp house with the plan to groom whatever boots we are wearing with her makeshift tool.

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And then as long as it’s during the day and there’s no threat of it being time to close off Young’s Hill for the evening, Jamie often gathers her boots and blankets for a quick nap until it’s time to set off for the next walk.

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First signs of Autumn

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The last few weeks at the sanctuary have been a glorious transition into the first signs of Autumn. We’ve had chilly nights and bright, sunny warm days. Today, Katelyn served some of the final cherry tomatoes from the garden.
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As the summer vegetables wind down, fall’s bounty comes into full swing. The chimpanzees have already had their first roasted pumpkin of the season and are enjoying the freshest of Washington apples with their breakfasts. This little squash was spotted in their garden.
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October is right around the corner, and with it comes even more delicious tastes of fall!
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Today is for Lisa Nowak!

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What a fun and amazing week it’s been so far! With so much love for the chimpanzees, their Summer Lovin’ party last Saturday seems to have kept going right into an “Autumn Lovin'” week full of continued generosity and love for the chimps and humans alike. Much to our delight, this day of sanctuary was sponsored by Lisa Stuverud in honor of Lisa Nowak (who sponsored yesterday for Meg Lunnum who honored the bloggers the day before)! Lisa shared this message about today:

“I too have been inspired to sponsor a day in honor of Lisa Nowak who honored Meg Lunnum who honored the bloggers at the sanctuary because like so many others I look forward to the daily sanctuary blog posts whether they be educational or entertaining, the writing is superb and insightful and they are filled with lots of wonderful pictures of the seven amazing beings I have grown to adore!! Thank you so much!”

We’re grateful to you all for the loyal following of the chimps and their lives through our blog! And Lisa S., thank you so much for honoring Lisa N. and continuing this flow of inspiration and kindness! It often makes people feel more comfortable to see kindness as a weakness. But only from a place of true strength can we walk in kindness and compassion and not only give to others (especially those we may not even know), but inspire and empower others to do the same. Just look at the ripple effect of these gifts. They not only make a big difference for each of these seven chimpanzees, but for so many people connected to them. And how much more powerful does it get than that?

Jamie, finally living her life surrounded by so much love:

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The view from the top

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It’s not uncommon to find Missy on one of the towers at the top of Young’s Hill, just taking in the view.

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Jody tagged along with Missy on one of her little adventures this afternoon.

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On the way back down, Jody made sure to grab a snack to bring back to the greenhouse.

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When we got to the bottom of the hill, I got what I’m pretty sure is the world’s only photo of a chimpanzee watching an elk watching the UPS man (you may have to look closely to find Ellie in the middle).

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Today is for Becca and Lars!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Brian Kostol in honor of “the Beautiful Marriage of Lars and Becca Jorgensen.” Becca is a long-time dedicated volunteer caregiver and a good subordinate human at that. She spends much time catering to the every whim of our beloved boss, Jamie, and always brightens all the primates’ days. More recently, we’ve also gained Lars as an amazing volunteer in the chimp house! We are so grateful for the commitment and compassion these two bring to the sanctuary and the chimpanzees’ lives.

We know the chimps are considered as family to Becca and Lars and through Becca’s beautiful artwork and creativity, they even made sure that each of the chimpanzees were represented at their wedding as a way for them to be present and share in their special day.

Brian, thank you so much for such a meaningful gift in celebration of the Jorgensen’s marriage and for making a difference in the lives of the chimps they hold dear.

Becca and Lars, we’re so happy for you! Thank you so much for everything you do for these amazing chimpanzee people. We are all so glad to have you as part of our sanctuary family and wish you a life of “hope, love, home and sanctuary.”

Boss lady, Jamie, was in heaven when she received new boots from Becca:

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In Need of Nothing

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Jamie is a restless soul. She’s rarely at ease. That isn’t to say she isn’t happy; she just requires near constant attention and enrichment. We could probably use an entire extra caregiving staff just to fulfill Jamie’s complex social needs.

But once in awhile the stars align and we find Jamie in a moment of peace, wanting nothing from us. During a break in cleaning this morning, I took the camera out to the greenhouse. I found everyone except for Jamie on the wooden platform, resting or grooming. I didn’t see Jamie anywhere. After a few minutes I walked around to the other side of the greenhouse and spotted Jamie lying silently and contentedly in this hammock, cradling one of her beloved boots.

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