Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Jamie

Going Head to Head & Toe to Toe

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What a wonderful day, especially for Burrito. To no surprise he was playing all day! If he wasn’t making his caregiver’s run until they almost passed out from heat exhaustion then he was playing with other chimps and even a giant stuffed unicorn. There is some video of him playing with the unicorn, but the clip was hard to fit in with all the amazing other play sessions going on. However, I feel I need to describe to you what happened. It was amazing! Caregiver Chad was outside fixing a few holes on the rattle snake fence when he noticed Burrito dragging a giant stuffed unicorn onto Young’s Hill. He was even throwing it up into the air (that part was not caught on camera). Burrito then dragged the unicorn back to the raceway and eventually into the greenhouse. Which led into a lazy wrestling game with Foxie. Later, we found Burrito playing with Jamie. They had their heads together, breathy panting (chimp laughing), and grabbing each other’s toes. All in all it was a good day, but Burrito had a great day.

We have been very busy getting ready for the arrival of Cy, Lucky, Gordo, Dora, Rayne, and Terry and it’s coming up quickly! We have added more stuff to the Wish List in preparation of the 6 new chimps. We are hoping to get some new chairs. They have been really helpful for Honey B, Willy B, and Mave in the new greenhouses. But, the chimps use the chairs everyday. Jamie loves them for sitting and grooming her favorite pair of boots, many like to lay on them, and sometimes they use the chairs as tables to put their food on.

Hot as tater tots!

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Summer is here! We are definitely feeling the heat today. We have been trying to help keep the chimps cool and passed out some shaved ice in the afternoon. They love ice! Even if its just a regular old ice cube they are excited for the snack. We have also been giving out extra hose drinks to the chimps who have been requesting it while we are cleaning. Even though they always have access to a water source, drinks from the hose always taste better! Katelyn was fanning/misting Jamie and Annie today. In the photo below you can see them enjoying this. Annie kept putting her head up to let Katelyn mist her forehead.

Jamie needs all that extra water and fanning today from her adventures last night. Since the heat was starting to rise during the day yesterday she didn’t go on as many walks as normal. She wanted to save that for when the sun started to go down. Jamie didn’t want to let go of Youngs Hill for the night after dinner and we went on multiple walks around the hill with her, in a variety of ways. It was fun to see how many different ways she wanted to walk around! First, I went around the hill driving the gator. Then she was ready for Anthony to drive the gator while I rode along. After that, Jamie wanted Chad to follow in the gator behind us. After a couple more variations of walks throughout the evening Jamie decided on one last final walk. This included Anthony, Chad, the gator and I. Missy also came out to join us and Annie was resting on a platform watching. After this final walk Jamie was inside ready for her book and boot bundle. We usually pick out a couple different books and boots to give her before we leave to make sure she has what needs for the night.

Jamie enjoying a walk around the hill, while I drove the gator.

 

Here are some photos from around the chimp house today!

Mave relaxing in the Chute.

Honey B sitting in the doorway of one of the new Greenhouses.

Willy B being groomed by Mave.

Annie being her sweet Annie self.

The cattle were even avoiding the heat today. Chad found them relaxing in the shade by the creek.

Meredith and Honey hanging out by the creek.

Nutmeg and Betsy cooling off in the mud.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

¡Hola!

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Hello blog readers! My name is Sofía and I recently joined the CSNW team as veterinary assistant and animal caregiver. I was born and raised in the south of Puerto Rico in a town called Ponce. I lived there up until I graduated with a BS in Animal Science from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (UPRM) back in 2017. By then, I was interning in several animal hospitals to gain experience in the veterinary field, and also interned at a dairy cattle farm to complete graduation requirements. I always knew I wanted to care for animals, I just needed to figure out in what way. Right after finishing my BS degree, I moved to the United States to pursue a MS degree in Primate Behavior and Ecology from Central Washington University (CWU). While completing my master’s degree, I interned here at CSNW and achieved a Captive Primate Care Certificate from CWU. After defending my thesis and graduating, I moved to the Bay Area, California to work full time at a small animal veterinary hospital as veterinary assistant for almost two full years before moving back to the Pacific Northwest.

Here I am getting groomed with a tool by the boss herself, Jamie

I can’t even begin to explain how happy I am to be back with the Cle Elum Seven, and how amazing it has been to get to know the California three and the four majestic bovines. Complemented by amazing human coworkers, I can only describe this as: the dream job. These past weeks have been filled with hands on training with the goal of becoming lead caregiver. From security checks, to learning more about the chimps personalities, it has been serious business in the Chimp House.

But enough about me, I know all of you want to see some chimps and I wanted to show off how it’s going during photography practice!

Foxie, making sure only her best side is captured. All of her sides are her best side.

Willie B enjoying the breeze in one of the platforms in the new green houses

Missy enjoying some forage in the hill

Jody coming back in after exploring in the hill

Chimp Activities

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Today the chimp house was a little busier than yesterday. We are making sure the two new Greenhouses are in order and ready for chimps soon! While waiting for some maintenance things to be completed we found Jamie and Burrito engaging in a long play session. I love hearing chimp laughter. To me, it is one of the best sounds in the world and always brings a smile to my face. There was lots of laughter today, as I saw Burrito playing with Foxie and Annie too.

I checked in on the three to see what they were up to and found Mave and Willy B in a grooming session. I’m still learning so much about Honey B, Willy B, and Mave. I didn’t work with them while I was an intern here, so I have been trying to get to know them better and learn more about their personalities.

Mave grooming Willy B.

Honey B looking to see what photos I was taking.

Willy B taking a break from the grooming session.

Missy resting in the Greenhouse.

Small Moments

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Throughout the day I catch small moments of the chimps interacting with each other, with humans, or just by themselves that just make me smile. Sometimes the moments are just a split second, but they always make my heart burst with joy. I thought I would share a few from yesterday and today.

This morning as we cleaned the front rooms, Foxie tossed her strawberry shortcake doll to me by the Playroom. We played chase from front room 1 to the playroom. When Foxie was running she was doing a bunny hop with her back feet. That one always gets me :).

Yesterday, I found Willy B laying on a big comfy blanket. I sat down and we scrolled through some photos on my phone.

Jamie this afternoon was being groomed by Missy and Jody. Because Jamie seeks out humans so often I love seeing her with chimp friends.

Yesterday, Missy came down from the loft in the playroom and began gesturing to something. I looked over and all I saw were some magazines. I offered one to her not thinking she really wanted it, but to my surprise she took the magazine and gestured for the one next to it. Once she had both magazines she climbed back up to the loft to make a nest.


We put out a pre-lunch lettuce forage on Young’s Hill today. I found Negra and Burrito playing right before I let the chimps back on the Hill. They even had a stuffed animal in their mouth playing tug-a-war.



While I was doing a chimp count for some checks ealier. I found Jamie in a nest fast asleep.

While Jamie napped in the loft, I also spotted Jody grooming a very sleepy Negra.

Burrito is often found on this barrel playing by himself, spying on the neighbors, or occasionally getting someone to play with him. This morning he started off playing by himself, but Foxie joined him a little later. Foxie would knock on the barrel while Burrito spun around on top. They were grabbing each others toes and laughing.

I hope you enjoyed these small moments. Please enjoy some bonus photos!

Jody collecting foliage this morning.

Annie walking in the tall green grass.

Negra enjoying some lettuce.

Jamie with handfuls of lettuce.

Foxie

 

 

 

Dora and her Many Friends

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Dora the explorer seems to befriend many individuals here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. From time to time, we find other chimps besides Foxie with Dora. Though Dora does spend most of her time with Tiny aka Foxie. Jody too can find comfort in dolls. Jamie often uses Dora’s in a troll scarf or enjoys playing keep away from Foxie. Occasionally, Burrito has been spotted carrying a Dora for play. Negra every so often finds a doll and totes it around or taunts Foxie with it. This morning as I let the chimps onto Young’s Hill, Negra strolled out with Foxie’s new France Dora.

However, we have another Dora coming to town and as you can see, she is no doll :).

Bonus photos!

Honey B created a fort with boxes and an empty sandbox.

Burrito strutting his stuff out on Young’s Hill.

Mellow

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Today was pretty mellow, which was great. We love mellow! Everyone seemed at ease. The weather was nice, so we had a lunch forage for the seven. Everyone was grooming and lounging in the warm green house. Honey B, Willy B, and Mave enjoyed hanging out in their playrooms and watching the painters paint the exterior of the new building. I think the highlight of today would be Negra and Jamie having a long grooming session in the green house! That interaction isn’t something we see often. Of course, there is no photo evidence either. So, since it was a pretty quiet day at the chimp house I thought I would leave you with a quote. I recently read the book, The Boy The Mole The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy. This book is filled with beautiful illustrations and kind thoughtful words. If anyone is ever looking for a quick and uplifting read please check it out. So I will leave you all with this: “Nothing beats kindness,” said the horse “It sits quietly beyond all things.”

Please enjoy some photos I was able to capture from this afternoon’s lunch forage.

Burrito was searching high and low for lettuce.

Foxie was pretty pleased with her findings.

Missy took her lettuce to go and found some good views too.

Jamie has many different strategies when it comes to foraging. For example, you can free your hands up by holding your lettuce with your foot.

I love this photo of her. She looks like she is up to know good, but really she is just enjoying some lettuce… and maybe plotting something too!

Annie was busy collecting all the food people left behind.

Jody <3.

And Neggie <3.

Honey B, Willy B, and Mave all looking out of playroom 2 windows, spying on Jamie out on Young’s Hill.

Yesterday, I was hanging out with Honey B in her new favorite place- the reading corner, the chubby, or the nook. She was being her silly self and letting me take pictures while she watched herself in the camera reflection and occasionally tried to kiss her reflection.

I hope you all have a mellow week full of kindness.