Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Missy

Photogenic Chimpanzees

by 7 Comments

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:

I had to get these photos using all the sneakiness I could before he came down

Rayne during lunch today:

Gordo doing a little self-grooming:

Willy B also self-grooming:

It’s imperative to watch the neighbors when you’re done 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.

Waiting

by

As the weather has been warmer lately, we have been giving Jamie chimpanzee’s group access to their outdoor habitat, Young’s Hill, first thing in the morning.  Today, Jamie sprinted out of the greenhouse, ready to patrol her territory.  Foxie, Missy and Burrito were hot on her heels!  They know that, after breakfast, we spend time cleaning their playroom.  Which is the perfect opportunity to take off to explore the hill, looking for young spring grass to graze on (though it might be a little early, yet).

But they always seem to know when it’s just about time for us to finish up and open the doors back up to their playroom.  They know that there will be a leafy green forage waiting for them, as well as fresh blankets and enrichment. Today, they even had hanging raisin boards, which they love!  So it wasn’t a surprise when we heard breathy chimpanzee laughter coming from the front rooms.  There, we found Burrito and Missy finding ways to pass the time, while waiting for their playroom.

Soon, almost all of the chimps were waiting patiently.

 

Not Another Clip Show

by

Staff are conducting several training meeting this afternoon, so please excuse me for the short posting. So today’s blog and video is going to be a hodgepodge of clips and photos that haven’t found their way into a blog due to either length or missing context.

Misc. Photos:

George (L) and Cy (R) eating their breakfast chow in the Oakwood Greenhouse window while watching their caregivers clean the Lupin Playroom.
Gordo sitting in a modified box waiting for his time to join the integration group.
The view from the space separating Young’s Hill and the Bray a couple of weeks ago. It made me feel like I was in the movie “Tron.”
Mora (Mave + Dora) having a dinner date when they were first together the other week.

A Simple Way to Welcome the New Year

by

I can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year than spending time with friends! The chimps spent most of their day spending time together, which is our favorite kind of day, or should I say, almost everyone. Willy B got a room full of bouncy balls, and well, he was occupied for the day. I mean, it makes sense, they bouncy so erratically! It’s every enriching, for Willy B, for his group mates, let’s just say they are very tolerant.

Spending time with chimps teaches you a lot, but I think a big take away heading into this new year is finding small wins and little joys that fill your cup up. Even if it’s just carving out time to groom with a friend. Or maybe in our case spending quality time with the ones we hold dear.

I was looking through my folder and came upon this photo of Jody. I labeled the photo in 2019- Jody kind eyes. It felt like a photo that needed to come out of the vault. I hope you all have a wonder and safe New Year’s Eve!