Jody has the most expressive face. She seems to greet the world in wonder.
Jody
Late September
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.
Harry Potter Day
In our continuing effort to come up with new and interesting enrichment for the chimpanzees, we present to you…
Seasons
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!
In memory of Ron and Betty Kreuscher
This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Ronalyn Huenergard and she shared this message about today:
“This donation is in memory of my parents, Ron and Betty Kreuscher on their wedding anniversary. They were very proud of their 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.”
Ronalyn, thank you so much for adding to the chimpanzees’ lives in memory of your parents. All of us here send you and your family good thoughts and hope this day is filled with comfort, joy and love as you celebrate Ron and Betty and the memories you hold dear. We so appreciate you holding the chimps in your heart.
Good friends, Burrito and Jody:
What’s on the Menu Today?
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:
Some Days are Just Silly
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
