Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Missy

Everyone Loves Tomatoes

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There’s no denying Missy’s love of tomatoes, as Diana mentioned in her blog post recently, but today, all of the chimpanzees showed their love for Missy’s favorite food.

As soon as caregiver Katelyn walked into the garden, Missy was quick to get in position for Katelyn to serve her.

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Jamie quickly joined Missy at the window directly above where the plants are growing to get her share.

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Foxie realized what was happening and joined Missy and Jamie.

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It quickly became apparent to Katelyn that there was not enough room left in the window for the other chimpanzees. So, she moved over to the barn doors to serve the tomatoes. It didn’t take long for Negra, who was sleeping on the catwalk right above the window overlooking the plants, to climb down to get some tomatoes as well.

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Jody approached the barn doors to join in on the tomato fun with Negra on her left and Foxie on her right.

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As soon as Burrito and Annie realized Katelyn was serving tomatoes by the barn doors, they quickly joined the party. But, somehow they managed to avoid the camera and I am left with no photographic evidence of them eating any of the tomatoes (although I promise you, I saw tomatoes in their mouths).

Night Bag Noises

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Nightbags, or night bags, are the post dinner treat for the chimpanzees here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Jamie, Jody, Missy, Annie, Negra, Foxie and Burrito all love these nut-filled bags and each has a preferred practice for how to get the most out of these small but delectable treats.

The sound of the chimpanzees crunching on nuts and seeds is, in my opinion, the sound of satisfaction and a job well done. No other noise is more evocative to me of hope, love, home, and sanctuary. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Listen for yourself and decide.

Rainy days

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Yesterday, Jamie received a package in the mail with new cowgirl boots from our long time supporters and friends, Don and Karen Young (for whom Young’s Hill was named thanks to their generous contribution to making it possible). When we arrived at the sanctuary this morning, Jamie was watching us from the greenhouse and as soon as we got out of our cars she immediately gestured that she was ready for a walk with her new boots. I think that’s something we can all relate to.

A wonderful article, featuring the chimpanzees, was posted today on One Green Planet speaking to the many ways in which chimpanzees and humans are alike. And today at the sanctuary was another simple example of that. We are getting some much needed rain to the area and the chimpanzees and humans alike are kicking up their heels a bit more with the cooler temperatures. And although Jamie was ready and waiting for an early morning walk, due to intermittent thunder showers, we had to wait for the voltage on the electric fencing surrounding the chimpanzees’ outdoor area to come up before we could give the chimps access to the hill. So just as we humans do when we are waiting for stormy weather to pass, Jamie reluctantly made a nest, holding fast to her new boots, and waited it out.

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Finally, after lunch the voltage on the fence was high enough to give them access to Young’s Hill. Jamie immediately had J.B. put on some boots and they set off for a perimeter walk. While Jamie and J.B. were busy walking, everyone else (well, except Negra who chose to take an after lunch nap) raced out onto the hill to enjoy the brief break in weather.

Missy, being Missy, made several laps up and down, and back and forth, only stopping to occasionally check out the view:

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But it wouldn’t be long before she was off to race across the hill, or chase her friend, Annie, again:

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Jody, marched out onto the hill with purpose, clearly on a mission. A mission to forage for a rather large piece of bamboo to bring back to enjoy in the comfort of her nest before the rain began again:

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Even Foxie felt adventurous and explored the platforms on her own. Well, not exactly on her own as she had Dora with her, of course.

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While these moments captured seemingly simple joys for the chimpanzees that we as humans can relate to, there is no denying the countless ways in which chimpanzees experience the world and their lives just as we do. For me, I just consider us to be different cultures who still have distinctly similar thoughts, emotions, and desires. Who still want the same things in life. Just like all beings we share this planet with.

An icy smorgasbord

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We are at the peak of a long heatwave here at the sanctuary with temperatures hovering in the triple digits for the past week. I found Negra enjoying a moment of peaceful solitude in the still cooler greenhouse early this morning:

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But it doesn’t take long for the greenhouse to get too warm on days like this. Much like the humans, the chimpanzees find it too hot to do much of anything and have been spending a lot of their time in the cooler playroom. (Though Jamie still manages to power through her daily walks in the midday heat!). So we thought today should be an ice-filled enrichment day to help keep everyone hydrated and cool.

The chimpanzees love ice so we filled their wading pool, gardening table, wheelbarrow, and buckets with several bags full and then volunteer caregiver-in-training, Sandra, tossed in a few cherries, frozen raspberries from the chimps’ garden, and sunflower seeds to jazz up the forage. There were pant-hoots and food grunts galore.

Burrito was pretty overwhelmed at first and didn’t seem to know where to begin:

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But he made good use of those fabulous prehensile lips of his:

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Missy and Jody joined Burrito (though Jody was avoiding the paparazzi today):

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Missy LOVES ice and she didn’t leave this spot for some time:

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Foxie made the rounds of the ice smorgasbord, taking mouthfuls from several locations:

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Then for the second frozen course, volunteer caregiver, Steph, showed up with frozen water bottles filled with strawberries and cucumbers! These were a huge hit and Foxie got right to work on these as well:

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Annie enjoying hers in the greenhouse:

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Surprisingly, I wasn’t able to get any photos of Jamie, but she was beside herself with so much to do and at one point was seen drinking from one of many bottles she had collected and scrubbing the front rooms with a brush and bucket of water (at the same time, of course).

And while this is not a great photo I couldn’t resist sharing Negra, with perhaps the biggest mouthful of all!

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Today is for Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty

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Today was sponsored by Joan O’Flaherty in memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty, and their anniversary. Ned and Noreen shared a great love for animals, as well as environmental and conservation issues and Joan feels they would have loved the chimpanzees. Joan, we are so touched and honored that you choose to remember your parents and what they held dear by helping the chimpanzees. Thank you so much for thinking of the chimps in such a special way!

Best friends, Missy and Annie:

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Happy Birthday, Virginia!

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Today was sponsored by Virginia Keulen! Today also happens to be Virginia’s birthday and she shared that she wants to celebrate by giving her “favorite chimps” a day of sanctuary! Virginia is a long-time supporter of the sanctuary and does so much for the chimpanzees (and the humans!).  It comes as no surprise that she would choose to spend her special day making the chimps’ lives better. At the same time, it never ceases to amaze me how many wonderful friends the chimpanzees have and how many people want to celebrate their own lives by honoring the chimps.

Happy Birthday, Virginia! Thank you so much for including the chimpanzees in your celebration! In honor of two of your pals, you could do a lot of running around for the sheer joy of running around, or you could do a lot of bossing others around for the sheer joy of bossing. Or maybe just eat a lot of cake and food grunt. 😉 We hope you have a wonderful day!

Missy and Jamie, having some fun:

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And as if today weren’t enough, Virginia also sponsored the chimpanzees’ 4th of July festivities! Be sure to check in tomorrow to see what the chimps get up to!