Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

knot

The Many Uses of a Ball

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Burrito is one of the most fun chimpanzees I have ever met and, don’t tell my other chimp friends, but he is absolutely the funniest. One of the most endearing things to me about Burrito is how he can have fun with just about anything. A sock? Perfect for playing tug with the humans. A headband? Get over here Missy, let’s see how far we can pull it! A slinky? Obviously the perfect accessory for the foot or leg. A stuffed animal? The best for tossing around. A bandana? The ideal size for covering your face while playing with your friends. It goes on and on! Burrito is also, to my recollection, the only chimp I have ever heard laugh while playing by himself. I have heard him laughing and gone over to see who he is playing with, only to find him laughing at the silly things he is doing all by himself.

A very silly upside down Burrito

We recently received 3 stuffed knots, which each form a ball shape, as a gift for the chimpanzees from a generous donor. Since they have stuffing, we gave them to Burrito’s group as some of the members of the group of 9 eat stuffing, and therefore can’t have it. We started by giving them one ball, and Burrito had the BEST time with it! He quickly discovered every possible way to play with it. He stretched it out so it could fit over his body, he knocked it around like he was kicking a soccer ball, he put one of the stretched out bands around his foot and pulled it around behind him, he threw it as high as he could into the air and caught it on the way back down, he hugged it tight, and he bounced on it! We gave him the other two toys today, and he has been enjoying them throughout the day, somehow finding even more new ways to have as much fun as possible with them. Check out today’s video to see Burrito with his beloved new toys. Many thanks to the donor that sent them to us!

If you’d like to spread more joy and fun like this among the chimps, the cows, and their caregivers, consider joining us in celebrating summer by helping to empty our three wish lists for Christmas in July!

Soaking up the sun

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Jody was so eager to go out on to the hill this morning that she took off before finishing her breakfast.

I am always hesitant to read too much into the chimps’ behavior, but I really do believe that Jody has a renewed appreciation for Young’s Hill this week after having been restricted to the indoors for a few days during her recovery.

She later came back for her chow bag and sat at the entrance to the hill, savoring each bite while basking in the warm sun.

While Jody’s eye still has some healing to do, Dr. Zamzow and our team of veterinary advisors are happy with the progress.

On another topic, here’s something I found interesting: This morning I discovered what can only be Jamie’s handiwork – a piece of blanket tied with a double knot to the caging. Jamie often secures her nests to the caging by threading the blankets through the mesh and she is well known for her knot-tying abilities (most likely learned when she was a youngster living with humans in the entertainment industry). Either this was meant to be the foundation of an incredibly stable and secure nest, or Jamie has started creating enrichment puzzles for the caregivers.

And in other news, have you checked out our Summer Biddin’ Online Auction yet? Your bids and donations will help us care for seven amazing chimps, support the expansion of the sanctuary so that we can take in even more chimps, and aid in the construction of fencing and a new barn for the five cows that will soon call the sanctuary home.

The other day I was repairing fencing on the View Property when this doe approached to politely inquire as to why I was in her barn. This area will be part of the winter pasture for Whitaker, Betsy, Nutmeg, Honey, and Meredith. Isn’t it incredible? Don’t worry, there’s plenty of room for both cows and deer.

The online auction is going on now and ends Monday at 7pm Pacific – check it out now before it’s too late!