Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) is an important part of how we care for the chimpanzees at CSNW. It allows us to work together to accomplish a variety of goals, from daily shifting to access their spaces for cleaning, emergency recall when there is danger present (for example a rattlesnake in their outdoor enclosure), regular monitoring of chronic health conditions (for example utilizing the Kardia Mobile to obtain ekg readings) as well as acute injuries (obtaining an x-ray on a hand or foot, or presenting a wounded body part for inspection and cleaning), and much more all while rewarding the chimps for their cooperation with something that is motivating for them. In today’s blog video, see what the chimps have been learning lately, and make your guess as to who will be the star student!
Lucky
Five Years of the Lucky 6!
Today marks 5 years since the Lucky 6 arrived at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Can you believe it? Personally, I can’t imagine this sanctuary without them. One of the biggest joys of working for a sanctuary is watching the chimps flourish in it. From watching Rayne walk out onto the Bray for the first time, like she had done it every day of her life to small things like learning unique traits about each and everyone of them, like Cy finding a love for People magazine or Gordo’s love for boxes & being poked playfully with a spoon by his caregivers. Terry’s gorilla chest thumps to intimidate Jamie’s group, but in reality Terry is gentle by nature and kind-hearted. Dora has a very quiet demeanor, but if you watch closely she can be a social butterfly within her close friends. And for Lucky a friendship is not always given freely, but if you earning it, you have a friend for life.
I think I can speak for everyone at the sanctuary when I say it has been an honor and a privilege to know each and everyone of them.
Windows
There are several windows around the sanctuary; find out who’s looking at who!
Photogenic Chimpanzees
When I arrived at the sanctuary this morning, I was determined to get as many photos as I could before our weekly staff meeting/training began. One, because a lot of you just love seeing photos of the chimps and their daily adventures. Two, because I wanted to prove to myself that I could get as many photos of as many chimps as I could. Granted, as some of you are aware, trying to get photos of some of them is almost impossible because either they come running up and get too close to the caging to get a photo, or they are in those few spots around the sanctuary where it is impossible to get a photo. Looking at you George, Cy, Dora, and Mave.
So please enjoy the product of this self challenge!
Burrito at breakfast:
Rayne during lunch today:
Gordo doing a little self-grooming:
Willy B also self-grooming:
Foxie and Moana go for a walk around Young’s Hill:
Sweet Lucky:
Missy at breakfast:
Terry waiting for a caregiver grooming partner after lunch:
Just noting that I did indeed get photos of Jamie and Annie, but they were a one shot scenario where the photo didn’t come out. Honey B was busy doing Honey B things on the Bray and in the Chute. She was just to fast/busy for me to get a photo. And Negra said no in her own Negra way by burying her face in her nest when the camera was raised. I obey all of the Queen’s demands.
For me, I would consider getting photos of half the chimps today was a success. Maybe in the near future I will try again.
Big Day to GiveBig!
Have you heard the news?
Today is the last day for GiveBIG! GiveBIG is an annual fundraising event here in Washington State when individuals and organizations invest their community by donating to their local Washington-based nonprofit. At the time of this writing, we are currently hovering around 75% of our $50,000 goal! We are so close! But there is still time! Donors have until midnight (PST) to donate to their favorite nonprofit.
I know that $50,000 seems like an impossible task, but every little bit we receive gets us closer to our goal. Donations directly help the caregivers provide the upmost care to the chimpanzees and cattle. Your donations help pay for things such as food, puzzles, treats, care medical, new enrichment toys, parties for the chimps (George’s 1 year CSNW anniversary is coming up!), the support building for the staff to diligently work in, and so much more!
We need your support now more than ever. As mentioned before, we are going to celebrate George’s 1 year anniversary here. That entire time felt like a flurry of activity that it feels like a blur. It was almost like one day we had 15 chimps and BAM! Sixteen chimpanzees were now residing at the sanctuary. Since that time it has been such a heartwarming thrill watching George settle into no only his new home, but also new family! I still get a little teary-eyed when watching him on the Bray with Cy, Gordo, Rayne, Terry, and Lucky. Just knowing just under a year ago, George was living by himself in a concrete and chain-linked fence. Now George is thriving enjoy his time outdoors or spending it playing or being groomed by one of the other chimpanzees.
We are also now caring for a chimp with mobility issues. With some slight modifications to some of the enclosures, Negra has been able to move from one area to the other albeit with some issues. She’s able to move around a lot more thanks to some handlebars and firehose, but we feel there is more we can (and probably will) do to help Negra enjoy her favorites spots around the sanctuary. Not to mention the medications she is on to help her continue to enjoy her sanctuary life. Be sure to read this compelling, heartfelt blog Kelsi wrote about Negra a few weeks ago.
Please consider donating to our GiveBIG campaign to help us reach our goal and help us provide the best care we can for 16 chimpanzees and 3 cows.
Downtime with Lucky
It’s been busy around the chimp house this week, but I managed to find a little downtime between cleaning and staff meetings to hang out and get groomed by Lucky!
Thief: The Game
One of my favorite times of day is when I arrive to the Chimp House in the morning. Usually I’m one of the first humans in to get a jump start on the day. It’s a pretty serene moment in time first thing in the morning. Most of the chimps are already awake, bright-eyed and bushy tail(less), while others are just waking up. It’s at this time in the morning you can catch the chimpanzees engaged in some grooming sessions, mall walking, or playing some kind of silly game.
The other day, as I walked in and turned on the security monitors, I noticed Lucky in the Oakwood Greenhouse rolling around with a sock. She seemed pretty content, then Rayne arrived. Rayne was determined to get Lucky’s sock. From there a game of theft, chase, and keep away ensued. What started with just a sock cascaded into what seemed to be a treasure trove of stolen goods. Ok. Really it was two, maybe three things, but that’s still two or three more that should be stolen, right?
Who do you think was the masterful thief of this game?
