Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Jody

The things we do.

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We are supposed to have a big winter storm headed our way tomorrow, but today has been dry and sooooooo cold, remaining well below freezing all day. So the chimps have been hunkered down in the toasty chimp house for the most part. They are handling it like troopers, but it can be extra challenging to try to pre-empt the inevitable boredom that comes with being stuck inside all day. So it’s in our mind throughout the day to come up with new, interesting, and even silly things.

One way to break up any tedium is for the humans to act as enrichment and attempt to entertain the chimps. So volunteer caregiver, Holly, and I took turns wearing a vibrant purple wig she brought in. Sometimes we get mixed reactions. Jamie will often look us up and down and just stare at us as if to express how embarrassed she is for us given our foolish behavior. Foxie will sometimes spit at us. And sometimes they will completely ignore us. But the wig was a hit with all today and had Foxie hanging upside down laughing and kicking the ceiling with her feet! Burrito was full of kisses for us and Missy thought it was pretty hilarious. Even the boss gave several head-nods of approval. So naturally, I had to have ever-the-good-sport Holly don the wig for lunch service. It’s the little things…:

Holly serving Jamie as Annie and Jody wait patiently:

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Jody, Annie and Jamie (and Holly, of course):

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After lunch, Jamie decided freezing temps or not, we were going for a walk. Missy is a good right-hand gal to Jamie and reluctantly, braved the cold with her. Missy kept stopping to wait for Annie who gave it a go, but in the end stood huddled with her arms wrapped around herself and then hightailed it bipedally back to the warm chimp house:

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So Jamie and Missy and I carried on:

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By the time we reached the downhill back to the chimp house we all decided to pick up the pace:

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When it’s below 20 at night we close off the greenhouse to help maintain heat in the chimp house overnight. And the chimps wouldn’t be out there when it’s this cold anyway. After a warm dinner of roasted acorn squash, mini-peppers and onions along with peanut butter and banana inside cups for evening enrichment, and extra blankets still warm from the dryer, everyone is settled inside for the night. Jamie just asked for her favorite boots to sleep with and I just turned off the chimps’ lights. Everyone is tucked into their nests safe, warm and cozy for the night. So goodnight from the chimp house!

Thanksgiving 2016

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Today we’re thankful for delicious feasts, for food squeaks, for volunteers who spend their holiday spreading joy to the chimps, and for all of you who have so much love for seven chimpanzees you probably haven’t met. It’s been a good day.

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Annie:

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Missy:

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Negra:

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Foxie:

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Jamie:

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Foxie and Jody resting after the party:

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Most of the video footage we ended up with after today’s party happened to feature Burrito stuffing his face:

To all of you friends, supporters, volunteers, and well-wishers, thanks for giving Annie, Missy, Burrito, Jody, Foxie, Jamie, and Negra so much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Breakfast with Jody

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At the sanctuary, breakfast is probably the most exciting meal of the day. Like humans, the chimps have a sweet tooth, so that makes the primarily fruit based meal all the more enjoyable.

Today the chimps devoured pomegranates:
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Apples:
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And they finished their meal off with a couple bags of primate chow:
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Not pictured: peanuts, chewable vitamins, and fruit smoothie!

That first look

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Jody is deeply concerned about organization and routine. When the chimpanzees are asked to move out of an area for cleaning in the morning, Jody hangs back to make sure every last chimp has exited. Sometimes she is even helpful to the staff, grabbing blankets that blockade a doorway or ushering out a reluctant family member so we can safely secure a chimp-free room for humans to enter.

Jody is often the first chimpanzee to enter Young’s Hill in the morning. She is wide-eyed and alert, scanning the horizon for intruders and changes to the 2 acre outdoor enclosure.
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This sense of urgency is temporary though, after a few moments of vigilance, she can relax and enjoy sunshine, fresh air, and all the benefits that the chimpanzee playground has to offer.

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A chimp family stroll

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We are being gifted with a stretch of incredibly spring-like weather. The mornings start out damp, foggy and cold, but by the afternoon it’s warm, bright and sunny. The humans decided we needed a walk around Young’s Hill as much as Jamie did so we all decided to join her. The sight of a group of their caregivers always gets the chimps excited and often all or most of them will join us. This also gets our resident wild elk friend excited and she decided to tag along as well (though I am pretty sure the chimps attempted to un-invite her). You know, just a chimp family stroll in our own wonderful world at the sanctuary (missing Keri and Elizabeth who are home recovering from colds, and Negra and Foxie who were nesting in the sun).

We all hold so much gratitude in our hearts for this most special and magical of places and all who make it possible. A sanctuary to so many, non-human and human alike.

Anna, Diana, Yuri, Ellie and JB:

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Missy and Annie (L) and Ellie and JB waiting for the others to join us:

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Missy, Burrito and Jody suggested Ellie walk elsewhere at which point she ran to catch up with the humans:

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On a second lap around the hill, Jamie decided to check out the happenings in the neighborhood atop her beloved Twister:

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Today is in memory of David Bischoff

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Ingrid Bischoff in memory of her father, David Bischoff. Ingrid is a wonderful new friend of the chimpanzees’ and we are truly touched that she would think of them in honoring her father. Ingrid shared this beautiful message about today:

“My father, David Bischoff, from Yarmouth, Maine USA recently passed away and he is the man who taught his entire family the love of nature and animals, to respect the earth, pick up trash and ALWAYS take care of any and all animals in need and to always feed the birds, every day! He was a generous man and supported nature conservatories, donkeys, dogs, elephants, harbor seals and now chimpanzees!!!! He would love this day in his honor and thank you so much for doing all the hard work, giving is easy.”

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Ingrid, thank you so much for sponsoring today for the chimpanzees as you honor your father, David, and celebrate his life. What a special legacy he shared with you and your family, and now, all of us. We are honored to celebrate David here today and welcome you both as members of our chimp family. Our thoughts and hearts are with you today and we wish you the comfort, peace and love of family and friends that you help to ensure the chimpanzees are surrounded with for all their days forward.

Foxie, Annie and Burrito:

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Burrito, Jody, and Foxie:

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Beloved friends, Missy and Annie:

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Negra and Jody:

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Jamie enjoying the sun setting over Young’s Hill:

Jamie close up on Twister