Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Jamie

There are rules

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Jamie has rules. These rules are created for the humans and as such we are expected to follow them, without question, no shortcuts. These rules are created by Jamie and are subject to change without notice. We’re just along for the ride. 🙂

The past couple of days the chimpanzees cannot get enough of Young’s Hill! Reminiscent of summers past, Jamie has been taking near constant spins around the hill, accompanied by her human caregivers and delightfully, many of the other chimpanzees. The daytime temperatures have been hovering in the low to mid 30’s and somehow this has completely invigorated them all. Perhaps they know what’s on the horizon, literally, as at this point snow is due to start tonight and stick around off and on for the next week at least. But I digress. Back to the rules.

As many of you may know, Jamie often asks us to fetch the utility Gator to race with her around the hill. She used to like the humans to ride in the Gator while wearing her boots. But with me at least, this rule has changed a bit into wanting to have one human drive the Gator AND one human run with her ahead of the Gator. Though it’s always been the obvious rule that the Gator never wins these races, she’s adjusted the rule more recently to seemingly want to run away from the Gator, well ahead of it reaching her and her human companion. Now here’s a specific scenario where she gets very specific with her rules:

Jamie and Burrito will be racing up the hill with two caregivers. Half way up the hill Jamie will decide one of the humans needs to return to the barn and fetch the Gator. She indicates this by walking back down the hill, looking toward the barn and shaking her fist. Jamie speak for “Go get the Gator!” “Now!” She will rarely be deterred from this. Next rule is the absolute.very.second one human leaves to fetch said Gator, Jamie looks at the other human as if to say, “Ruuuunnn!!!” and you are expected to RUN and get as far ahead of the Gator as possible before it even leaves the barn. (Unfortunately for this human, this is also the uphill part). This reminds me a little bit of those silly old games where you’re trying to see how fast you can unlock your door as you pretend a murderer is after you. You know that game, right? No? Well, anyway…

And what if the humans try to skip the rules? Well, you’re going to have to go back to the beginning and do it right. After several runs up and around the hill, this human tried to take a short cut at one point and hitch a lift on the Gator with Chad, at least for uphill portion. We went a short distance, then Jamie abruptly stopped, turned around and marched us back down the hill to the starting point where she gestured for me to get out of the Gator and then run with her ahead of it! Humans need a lot of supervision. At least this one, I guess.

We never know for sure what’s going on in that brilliant, kaleidoscopic mind of hers, but we couldn’t be more thrilled to get to tag along.

As I revved the Gator (because that’s the most exciting part) and did my best to drive steady, poor Chad was tasked with capturing this wild, blur of a woman from the passenger seat and somehow managed capturing her in all her crazy excited, hair-standing on end, charging across the hill glory:

As Anthony accurately put it today while looking at this photo, Jamie is a hurricane of a chimp woman. Indeed she is. And we love her so. What a privilege to be caught up in her wild winds with her.

The construction guys are working so hard to get the roof on before the snows fly and watched us storming around the hill again and again. I can only imagine what goes through their minds. They asked who ended up winning. Of course, we all know the answer to that. 🙂

Potty Talk!

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I thought I would answer one of the questions from Diana’s blog post, “Inviting your Questions“. Also, if you have a burning question you have been wanting to ask, post it in Diana’s blog comments and one of us caregivers may make a blog and answer it!

So, let’s have an uncomfortable conversation. The question that everyone wants to know, but may feel too awkward asking. Poop, everybody does it. But, where do the chimps do it? I will be addressing this topic because it’s a fair question and one we get asked a lot. We do our best to not have poop in the videos or pictures, but the truth is it’s there.

In the wild chimps will use the bathroom and then keep traveling. Chimps in captivity unfortunately do not have that luxury of leaving it behind them. The chimps mostly poop or pee off of ledges. We see that chimps in the wild poop out of their nests in trees too. This could be why captive chimps are often using ledges. Kind of cool! Some chimps have specific spots, most others do not. There are some enclosures where they do tend to pick spots to go use the restroom. For example, the chimps often use the bathroom in the corner of the Greenhouse off the platform. It seems to be a good spot, out of the way where individuals won’t step in it. Though that might not be the pattern for everyone. In the playroom, they often go off the loft, or a barrel, or the cement steps near the drain. In the front rooms, they may use the restroom off the platform, a cement step near the drain, or again a piece of enrichment like a chair. In phase one, it seems the 3 also prefer to use a ledge. However, Willy B will pee anywhere… We clean each enclosure every day and spot clean at night. Sometimes after we are done cleaning and invite the chimps back into their space they use the bathroom right away and that is their choice. It is their home. Which is why we will spot clean before we leave for the night, because we want them to have a clean house, no one likes stepping in poop, so we do our best, but regardless there are 10 chimps and they have to use the bathroom.

Have you ever heard of fear poop? I don’t think it is a real term, but we use it. From time to time the chimps may have an altercation. When fights happen the bowel movement may let go, so to speak. Often after a fight it is a bit messy. In these cases, poop or pee could be anywhere.

Now one question you might also be wondering. Do chimps toot? Does it smell? The answer to both is yes. They have a diet of fruits, veggies, and nuts so I would say of course farts are going to smell, but not always. Just like us humans. For the chimps, there is no stigma for flatulence. They don’t laugh at each other or think it is gross, because well everyone does it! Even us, don’t lie :). Missy often lets one go when running! I mean do you see how fast she runs, there is no way anyone could hold one in going that speed!

Okay, here is a fun fact! Their pee does smell after they eat asparagus!

See that wasn’t so bad, right? Now I have some photos. We would never post photos of them using the restroom, because, well that is rude. Wouldn’t it be horrifying if someone took a photo of you and posted it. But, I have some photos to show as examples of the ledges they may use.

 

Ahh, yes, that is a nice ledge. It’s a little out of the way where no one is walking!

This photo is in the playroom. Look at all those options!

This platform is great for sleeping and also going to the bathroom over the ledge!

Another fun fact! Front room 4 is known as the portrait room because it has such great lighting. However, front room 4 is also know to be the potty room from time to time. It could be because this is a get ledge to do it!

These are the cement steps I am referring to. It’s the perfect place to stop and take a quick number 1 or 2!

The front rooms in phase 1 also have great platforms for pooping.

The mezzanine can kind of be a free for all. There are ledges and so many chairs to choose from.

See, Missy runs the toots right out of her.

Let’s not forget Young’s Hill. Because it is such a large outdoor enclosure, it is hard to find all the poop. For this area, we let nature do its thing.

Now, let’s stop thinking about poop and just look at some chimps. 🙂

Negra in a pile of blankets.

Mave looking into her own reflection.

Willy B grabbing his favorite blanket while trying to listen in on the neighbors.

Willy B being groomed by Mave.

Don’t worry, it is just a scab on Mave’s head that someone just freshly groomed.

Burrito climbing the Twister!

Jamie waiting for Burrito at the bottom.

Foxie.

Foxie exploring the Hill with her dolls. Construction is really coming along!

Honey B <3

Okay, one more of Burrito!

 

Gratitude

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I know I say this every time, but I am always in awe of our supporter’s kindness. The chimps are truly lucky to have friends like you. Giving Day for Apes was such a success. We made over our goal! After a big fundraiser like HOOT! or Giving Day for Apes, I always find myself reflecting on how amazing this sanctuary is. We have ten marvelous chimpanzees, the most dedicated care team, unbelievable volunteers, and incredible supporters. Everyone’s generosity this year feels even more special. We know that times are weird and uncertain, so thank you for your donations. These times have been uncertain for us too, but because of your help, we are still on track for our expansion, which means more chimps get to call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest home! One way to show our gratitude is this video, without your support these three chimps would not be here having this amazing play session this morning. Thank you.

Of course bonus photos!

The handsome Willy B.

Mave relaxing.

Honey B peering into your soul.

Jamie stuffing a troll doll into this sash.

Negra living her best life in this mega nest.

With this last imagine of Negra, we wish you a good night and sweet dreams. 🙂

Jamie’s Fall Must Reads

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Jamieween is right around the corner! Don’t tell Jamie, but I am making her a new book for her birthday! This one will look more like a Xtratuf catalog. It will be filled with new styles, colors, and designs! Though I am sure it will not replace her current favorite. Jamie’s must reads right now are the infamous staff wearing Xtratuf boots. Then coming in second would have to be the volunteers wearing all different styles of boots and shoes, lots of crocs which Jamie enjoys. Don’t forget the classic cowboy boot book. Something with mummies or skeletons, that is always a favorite. Oh, Dwell magazine for a little light reading. And last but not least a few good books about animals! If you would like to help Jamie get her birthday book, we are currently low on Shutterfly gift cards, I would like to get a stockpile of the original Xtratuf book so she can always have one on hand. Keep an eye out for Jamieween items on the wish-list we are starting to add some birthday items!

At the sanctuary there are lots of little moments that let you know, as a caregiver, that you have done your job well. You sometimes catch those moments throughout the day. Yesterday, before we went home for the night Jamie’s Xtratuf staff boot book came in. She hadn’t had one in a few weeks because they take some time to ship and with chimps you never know how long objects will last. I walked over to front room 4 where Jamie was standing to show her what had come in the mail for her. Immediately, she was gesturing to see it. As I gave the book to her she took off with it into the green house to be alone. On her way I could hear some low groans of what I can only imagine are excitement and happiness.

Jamie getting her new book last night:

This morning as we were cleaning, Jamie had left her book in the playroom. She began requesting it. I grabbed the book and Jamie guided me over to the food chute.

I hope this is a reminder through these weird and trying times to find the little moments that make you happy. This was mine.

 

Happy Birthday, Michael!

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Arlene sponsored such a lovely day of sanctuary for her husband, Michael, today:

“I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband Michael. I love our life together. This world can get pretty crazy but I am so thankful to be in it with you by my side. You are my calm in the storm. You are my rock, very steady and reassuring. Everyone needs that kind of comfort. Love you.”

Arlene, thank you, to you and Michael, for always holding the chimpanzees in your hearts and including them in your lives. We’re so grateful for you both.

Happy Birthday, Michael! All of us here hope you have the best of days! We’re hoping Arlene made you a troll scarf to wear in celebration. 😉 October is definitely a good birthday month! Just ask boss lady extraordinaire, Jamie (that’s right, folks, Jamieween season is upon us!).

Fall fashions

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Jamie has a love for occasionally wearing troll scarves and it seemed like every time we saw her today she was modeling a different one. Of course, as you are probably aware if you’ve been following us for long, we certainly don’t advocate chimpanzees (or any other wild animal) wearing human clothing. Prior to her three decades being used in biomedical research, Jamie spent the first nine years of her life living in a human home with a trainer, sadly being used in entertainment. It makes sense that some of the perhaps more human-oriented enrichment we provide the chimpanzees may be familiar or interesting to her. But that’s exactly the difference. The enrichment we provide the chimpanzees is just that, enrichment for them to choose to engage with when and how they find interesting, including the choice not to engage with it at all.

Beautiful and creative, we couldn’t love the unique and kaleidoscopic individual she is more. And I’m pretty sure troll scarves will be the next fashion trend, so just remember you heard it from Jamie first:

Napping in style:

The luncheon troll scarf:

From earlier this summer: