Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
There’s nothing quite like a Fall forage on Young’s Hill!
Annie:
After eating his forage bounty, Burrito quietly went back out on Young’s Hill to watch the girls finish up.
Foxie:
Jamie scanning the grass for more food.
Jody was serious about carrots and kale!
Missy kept herself busy!
Negra actually stayed out for quite some time in the cool Fall breeze. Only after we felt a couple raindrops, did she hustle back inside.
The sanctuary is a special place. But then I probably don’t need to tell you that. We are so fortunate to watch the beauty of so many seasons come and go not only around the sanctuary grounds, but for all of us here to be able to pass through our own seasons in life in this sanctuary home.
There has been a wedding here, celebrations of all shapes and sizes, people have honored loved ones here who have passed away, and most of us spend all of our birthdays and holidays here. I was in the chimp house when I was offered my job here, I was here when I learned my heart could hold more love than I ever thought possible, and it seems that somehow I am always in the chimp house when I’ve learned of the passing of family and loved ones. And every single day we are honored and privileged to watch the winters, springs, summers and falls of the chimps’ lives unfold with never-ending surprise, adventure, joy, healing and love. We’re all so lucky, chimps and humans alike, to have this place to live out the seasons of our lives. And please know that we consider you part of it all. This special place wouldn’t exist without you.
As autumn settles in around us none of us could be happier (and I am pretty sure the chimps are as excited as the humans). We’ve been enjoying countless walks with the chimps around Young’s Hill in the cool, fresh air, harvesting pears from the orchard, climbing the apple trees and dangling precariously over the pond to reach the last of the fruit on the furthest branches, and today we harvested the very first little pumpkins from the chimps’ garden!
A Foxie-size pumpkin:
And a bonus photo of Jamie, plotting and planning, because, obviously…
So we’re celebrating seasons and all they bring to our lives tonight with an impromptu “Welcome, Autumn!” dinner party and the chimps’ are enjoying roasted onions, peppers, pears and pumpkins still warm from the oven with some extra tiny lemons and tangerines. And one of the chimps’ favorite evening enrichments, “grab bags,” filled with nuts, seeds, dried fruit and all manner of odds and ends. A favorite of Jamie’s as you will see below.
Queen Negra enjoying the first serving of the season of pumpkin:
Jody enjoying roasted onion:
Jamie with (practically) ALL the grab bags (she went through the chimp house grabbing them and tossing them over her shoulder into a pile until she was ready to go through them.):
Happy autumn, all!
It may come off that Jamie is all work and no play (which can be true), but she knows how to take a load off when she needs to. And who better to help her relax than Foxie? The hard part is capturing the moments when they are happening! As you can see in the video a hand slyly comes up to suggest I leave. We never want to intrude in any chimp to chimp social time so I left shortly after. Jamie and Foxie proceeded to play for another 15 minutes before Missy suggested everyone enjoy some tomatoes from the garden!
The structure we call “Twister” is a favorite pit stop for Jamie on her walks around Young’s Hill. It offers 360 degree views of the sanctuary property. This morning she spent some time taking in the scenery between rain storms. Fall is just around the corner!
Mondays are never a drag here at CSNW! We had a pretty exciting menu today.
Breakfast: Started with a fruit smoothie (volunteers’/staff’s choice), two fruit options (pears & cantaloupe today), chow, and some vitamins
Lunch: We served some fresh kale, orange peppers (because why not), tomatoes, a little bit of corn, and chow
Now get ready for the main course because this is going to get interesting!
Dinner: We had a forage tonight and the chimps had roasted onions, carrots, and sweet potatoes (among a few other veggies as well)
The chimps enjoy fresh and cooked vegetables, but this forage combination really got their attention!
Today’s lunch:
Level 3 Volunteer Jake serving Jody:
Negra eating corn:
Annie:
Missy food peering for some tomatoes:
Annie (Left) & Foxie (Right) holding peppers
Jake serving Foxie tomatoes:
Burrito:
It was all fun and games today at CSNW! This morning I was greeted with breathy pants, grooming (Burrito & Neggie grooming one another), and chimps playing games of chase with each other (Annie, Missy, & Foxie). Jamie made a few of the staff and level 3 volunteers try on boots and after finding the right pair she couldn’t contain her excitement and took off for a game of chase!
Annie: Grooming her leg and secretly watching Burrito play chase
Annie: Later in the day enjoying kale from the garden
Missy: Hanging out in the greenhouse
Jody: Taking it easy and soaking in the warm sun
Foxie: Carrying her dora doll around
Burrito found a sweatband and put it on to play chase. Burrito put it on his head as captured in the photos, but he also put it around his wrists and ran around like crazy!
Burrito: Thinking about wearing the sweatband
Burrito: Putting the sweatband on, but still holding his wooden toys
Burrito: Playing chase
Burrito: Playing chase with volunteer Erin and the sweatband over his face
Cooler temperatures at the sanctuary mean more frequent (and fast paced) walks on Young’s Hill!
