Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

Missy

In honor of Jane Goodall

by Leave a Comment

This lovely day of sanctuary was sponsored by Robin Lundy, in honor of Jane Goodall on her birthday. Robin shared this thoughtful, heartfelt and poignant note about her gift:

“I am sponsoring today in honor of Jane Goodall on her birthday. With Marija Gimbutas and the late Dian Fossey, Dr. Goodall has devoted her life and work to advocate for the survival and well-being of our primate cousins. There are few humans whom I admire more than this woman of courage and vision. As the human species is besieged in the corona virus pandemic, it is well worth considering the ways in which we may have engendered the proliferation of this virus through our use – and misuse – of our natural environment and the non-human animals with whom we share our fragile biosphere. May the experience of the pandemic serve to teach us that human animals do not exist apart from the natural world, and as such, we must respect and protect the ecosystem. In honoring Dr. Goodall as a prophetic voice and witness, I like to think that people like Missy, her daughter Honey B (and for that matter, Honey the cow) also admire her for her life’s work of advocacy and activism on behalf of animals.”

Robin, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to celebrate Jane Goodall on her special day and the contributions through courage, hope and inspiration that she, and so many amazing women of all species, have and continue to make to life. And for reminding us that be they primate (including our human selves), bovine, plant, or otherwise, there truly is no separation.

From our sanctuary home in the mountains, we all send intentions of gratitude, joy and well-being across the waters to you, Dr. Goodall! We wish you a beautiful birthday! May the hope, kindness and steadfast resolve you inspire in so many of us stay bright in your heart and may we manifest it in the world around us all.

Missy:

and her daughter, Honey B:

Missy:

Honey B:

Missy:

Honey B:

Honey:

and her daughter, Meredith:

Honey (L) and Meredith (R):

Barrels of Fun!

by 5 Comments

Barrels are a great form of enrichment. They are often used to sit on to get a better view of the neighbors, or for drumming on to build up a big display, sometimes they are used for reaching an enrichment puzzle, and commonly the barrels are used for a good nap. Jamie can be found relaxing on a barrel, usually when the humans are cleaning. So, she can still keep her eye on them and request drinks of water from the hose when she is parched. When she has had enough rest, the humans are right there close enough for her to select the boot of her choice and take a lap around the Hill.

Jamie on her barrel enjoying some Alfalfa:

Jamie deep in thought:

Jamie inspecting something holding a wooden hammer in her feet:

Jamie 🙂

Now, when you look at the pictures you might be thinking how is this comfortable. But, chimps often prefer to sit or lay on objects that elevate them off the ground rather than sit or nap on the floor. Though that is not true for all, for example Foxie lays on the floor and wants nothing to do with blankets. However, you see this in the wild and in captivity that chimps prefer to sit higher, even if it is just a barrel or a chair.

Jamie sitting on a chair grooming some XtraTUF boots:

Also, I was going to save these photos for another day, but why not share them now!

This morning when the chimps first got access to Young’s Hill I spotted Missy and Annie rippin’ around the Hill chasing each other with huge play faces:

Missy sprinting:

Negra popped out for a bit of sun:

Burrito marched out with this purple plastic flat-head screwdriver:

And then there was the ever so sweet, cool as can be, and silly Foxie:

I almost didn’t include this one because it is a little out of focus, but I like it and I hope you do too!

A Chimp Guide to Shelter in Place

by 10 Comments

I am extremely lucky to have a job that requires me to come in to work everyday. During these difficult times, it helps to have something to focus on that’s a welcome distraction from the outside world. Fortunately, the chimps don’t really know what is going outside of CSNW. Life goes on as normal for them! Which is why they have put together a guide to help inspire ideas on how to make self isolation fun. Or at least take your mind off things for 3 minutes and twenty one seconds!

Also….

Honey B has so much confidence. It is truly inspiring. She is always rockin’ some new enrichment.

Neggie’s wonderful face.

Annie enjoying the warm weather on Saturday.

Jamie 🙂

Is That For Here Or To Go?

by 8 Comments

The Group of Seven have always intrigued me with each of their individual ways of eating. Some like to be upfront and center of every meal service. Others will grab their food and go.

This morning Negra wanted to take her banana to go onto Young’s Hill.

Almost immediately upon going onto Young’s Hill, she was instantly distracted by a passing train.

This is usually Negra’s M.O. She will almost always take her food to go. She will collect all her food and hold off on eating until she gets everything. Then she will use her hands, feet, mouth, you name it. Anything she can use to carry food to a location that is quiet and away from the majority of the crowd.  As evident with this photo I took a few weeks ago during lunch time.

Missy, Foxie, and Jody will grab one item from the meal service, take it away to a quiet location to eat, then return for the next item being served.

Depending on the food, Annie varies her method almost every meal. Sometimes she stays near where the meal is being served to ensure she gets her share of the meal. Other times she will find a quiet location as well, as she did during lunch today to eat her beets.

Jamie and Burrito, on the other hand, are usually upfront and center most of the time. They usually won’t leave until they are served their chow or nighttime bags.

Jamie, at times, might follow Negra’s lead and save some of her meal to enjoy later. In this case, she needed a proper dining table to finish her sweet potatoes and nighttime bag of seeds, popcorn, and dried fruit.

Sometimes after a meal, Jamie will invite a caregiver to go for a walk around the hill. Today, after lunch, Jamie wanted to go for a walk around the hill. I obliged and joined her. However, instead of a walk, it was a sprint around the hill. I somehow was able to capture a photo mid-sprint.

This went on for some time. Up the hill. Down the hill. Then back up again. Then back down. Usually I can keep up with her. But with our extra preventive measures to ensure both the chimpanzees and humans safe from the current pandemic, I have slowed down considerably. I going to have to start running sprints on my own with a mask on to ensure I don’t get that “I’m disappointed in you” look like she gave me as we returned to the Chimp House again.

Project Days

by 10 Comments

We are so fortunate to have so many amazing volunteers. They are always willing to jump in no matter how big or small the task is. Today, we tackled a big project and all of our awesome volunteers came to our aid! We were trading out the old wood chips in the Green House for some fresh new wood chips. This is no small task, though it is a satisfying one! We do this at least once a year depending on how long the chips last. However, we do change out the heavily soiled areas more often. But, it takes quite a few helping hands!

Here they are hard at work:

Here is the what the Green House looked like after!

Meanwhile, Jamie took a break from supervising to make a nest and relax a bit.

Jamie was actually really in the mood to have her photo taken.

Foxie came to say hello.

And left her doll for Jamie.

After, the Green House transformation everyone went out onto Young’s Hill for a perimeter check.

Even Neggie came out to soak up the sun.

Mave also found a comfy place to nest.

Willy B just wanted to play chase all day. Sorry it’s a little blurry, we were in mid-chase!

 

 

 

Never a Dull Day

by 9 Comments

I have never had a dull day since chimpanzees have entered my life. When I tell people what I do for a living a large part of the conversation is dedicated to the chimp’s personalities, their past, what we do to care for them, and hopes for their future. I can never say for certain what is waiting for me when I walk through the door in the morning. I always say no two days are the same and it is never dull! I love that about working with chimps. They have a plan of how they see the day going, just as you and I do. Sometimes the chimps are just silly and having the best day, some are the opposite, but most days are everywhere in between.

This morning I walked in to greet Honey B, Mave, and Willy B. Honey B came down so enthusiastically from the Mezzanine. She was breathy panting and seeking reassurance. That is when I noticed her fanny pack. I love walking in and not quite knowing what to expect. These three are so fun to get to know and they just keep getting sillier as the days go on!

After cleaning was done Honey B came across a beach towel that happen to be a very summer-y feel to it. Which, I like the summer vibes she was putting out! Honey B had it with her all day, she wore it around like a shawl or had it dragging behind her.

Mave was in a playful/sweet mood. She wanted to spend time grooming and tickling. When I took my phone out to capture a phone she started to look at herself, make silly faces, and inspect her teeth.

Neggie was soaking up the sun.

Missy, Burrito, and Foxie were wrestling in the Green House.

Eventually, it was just Missy and Burrito in the wrestling match!

Later in the day Jody, Jamie, Burrito, Missy and Foxie all decided to go on a walk when the wind took a break.

And little Miss decided to race.

Not everyone may be in the photos today, but it was a busy and silly day for these chimp. Maybe for the humans too.

 

No Party Like A Grooming Party

by 5 Comments

It was in the low 50’s today. Meaning all the snow around the sanctuary is all but gone. Burrito absolutely refuses to believe this and sends us out on expeditions until we find whatever surviving snow patch may remain.

He generally prefers a pre-breakfast snow:

A post-lunch snow:

And a post-dinner snow. I’m still formulating how to break the news to him the snow will officially be gone by his post-dinner snow! He won’t believe me and I will probably find myself hunting for whatever snow I can find around the sanctuary. Hopefully I will be able to find a patch I have overlooked, or I may have to break out the snow cone machine.

While Burrito has spent his day daydreaming with hopes more snow will come, the girls were pretty relaxed all day.

Jamie decided to soak in some sun this morning when she went on Young’s Hill.

While Missy zipped about from structure to structure.

Annie spent some time outside as well.

But she spent most of the day inside.

Foxie must have been cozy because she spent most of the day on the top platform in the Greenhouse.

And when he wasn’t demanding snow from the caregivers, Burrito spent his time grooming with Foxie.

Later on, there was a grooming party going on in the Greenhouse.

Jody seemed to be at the center of this party while Burrito, Jamie and Missy groomed her. Though Annie was initially grooming herself, she eventually joined.

Negra debated about joining the party on the platform right below her, but decided not to join.

On the other side of the Chimp House, caregiver Anthony took down the mirror in the mezzanine to perform some much needed retouches. They were without their beloved mirror for most of the afternoon. After dinner, we reinstalled their mirror to much of Honey B’s delight. She just had to see herself, sporting a headband-waistband.