Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Missy

Taking it in

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Certain things about chimps are beyond our ability to measure, but I have no doubt that they share with us a sense of awe and wonder. Primatologists in the field have written about chimps going out of their way to stop and enjoy a sunset. We see the same thing when the chimps climb to the top of Young’s Hill and stare out at the valley below.

Jamie:

web Jamie YH view of valley below_MG_4302

Missy:

web Missy sit on log mound vast field in background look over valley YH IMG_4621

Other times we see them stop and stare up at the sky. It could be something as simple as a bird flying by or the clouds passing overhead, but it often seems like something more profound, like an effort to take in the vastness of their new world.

Burrito:

web Burrito look up sun in face clear sky YH IMG_1043

Missy:

web crop Missy hold tire swing look up YH IMG_3211

It’s in these moments that I have to remind myself where they came from, and to try to imagine what it must be like to still be discovering the most basic things about the world at nearly 40 years old.

 

Happy St. Patty’s!

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Top o’ the afternoon to ya’, laddy! Happy St. Patty’s Day! We set up a big party forage in the Playroom this morning. Last week, volunteer Stephanie brought us some non-toxic window paint, and since she couldn’t be here today, I thought I would try to get creative and decorate the windows instead (that would normally be a Stephanie-type job). Okay- so I’m no artist like Stephanie, but at least I gave it a try!!

And so what if there is something terribly wrong with my troll doll’s belly, head, hands, eyes, nose and feet! His hair looks good and the rest just adds character!
web Window decorations troll doll st patrick's day party PR IMG_4847

web Window decorations clover st patrick's day party PR IMG_4848

But, thankfully, to make up for my pitiful excuse for art, volunteer Patti brought lots of decorations, making it a true party. She made these cute little boxes with clovers on them and we stuffed them with chow and grapes. The chimps loved them!

Foxie was particularly happy with them!
web Foxie forage boxes made by Patti st patrick's day party PR IMG_4908

Annie:
web Annie cube made by Patti forage party st patrick's day PR IMG_4867

Jamie:
web Jamie cube made by Patti forage party st patrick's day PR IMG_4858

Burrito:
web Burrito cube made by patti forage party st patrick's day PR IMG_4897

We also made “salad plates” consisting of cabbage that Patti brought and a variety of lettuce that volunteer Jennifer brought over yesterday from Seattle’s Metropolitan Market, topped with a few raspberries.

Jamie:
web Jamie forage lettuce cabbage salad plate party st patrick's day PR IMG_4849

I love the look of adoration on Burrito’s face in this one:
web Burrito loves lettuce and cabbage forage party st patrick's day PR IMG_4877

Jody:
web Jody mouthful of lettuce party st patrick's day forage PR IMG_4850

Negra with some cabbage:
web Negra profile eat cabbage forage st patrick's day party PR IMG_4911

Burrito:

web Burrito lettuce forage party sweet face st patrick's day PR IMG_4902

Missy with a mouthful:

web Missy munch on lettuce forage party st patrick's day PR IMG_4898

…and another mouthful…
web Missy munch of lettuce mouthful st patrick's day party PR IMG_4899

…and another mouthful…
web Missy shove lettuce in mouth party st patrick's day party forage PR IMG_4885

Patti also brought some St. Patrick’s Day theme cups that we filled with Gatorade and coconut water.

Missy:
web Missy drink juice look at cup party decorations st. patrick's day hat PR IMG_4922

You regular blog readers may have noticed an odd theme here – lots of photos of Missy!? That’s rare for a party, since Missy usually goes upstairs and is out of sight for much of the party. But today, she stayed right in the middle of it and enjoyed tons of goodies. I was able to get some good photos, but I have to be honest about this next one: Missy wasn’t actually smiling, she was actually just using her tongue to pick some cabbage out of her teeth and this is how I caught her, but it’s so funny, I had to share! It was a happy day!
web Missy (not real) playface cup juice party st. patrick's day PR IMG_4921

Thanks so much to Patti, Stephanie, and Jennifer and the Metropolitan Market for their generous donations! It was an awesome party!

Chimps’ Choice- “Once Again” Peanut Butter

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The Cle Elum Seven absolutely love peanut butter. We have traditionally purchased large containers of Adam’s Peanut Butter at Costco, however we are trying to steer clear of salt, especially with Burrito’s heart condition. So, we found a new (to me) brand that comes in 9lb tubs on Amazon called “Once Again”. I’ve added it to our wishlist. Even though we use peanut butter for all sorts of things, I think 9lbs will last us a pretty long time so we only need one tub for now but I thought I would make it a challenge for you! The first person to purchase it will receive a special package from me, which will include a photo of the chimp of your choice. Check out our wishlist (http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=wish_list) and be sure to email me ([email protected]) to let me know your chimp preference!

Annie licking peanut butter out of a kong, one of the Cle Elum Seven’s favorite activities:
Annie

Jamie licking the peanut butter off of a celery stick:
Jamie

Missy using a tool to fish peanut butter out of the tubes in the treat rock:
Missy

Jody cleaning the last bit out of a plastic peanut butter jar:
Jody

Breakfast al fresco

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We posted this morning that supporter Vicky Miller sponsored today for the chimpanzees.  To celebrate Vicky’s day, and to take advantage of today’s beautiful sunny weather, we set up a breakfast forage in the greenhouse.  Meals at CSNW are served in one of two ways: a caregiver can serve food to one chimp at a time through the fencing (like this), or we can scatter a food forage in the chimps’ enclosure.  The chimps really love forages, and we love them too because we’re always looking for ways to encourage the chimps to express species-specific behavior (basically, letting the chimps do what chimps do naturally).  This morning’s forage consisted of some favorites: fresh pineapple and pears, peanuts, and fruit smoothie in Dixie cups.

Missy:

web Missy eat smoothie cup breakfast forage greenhouse GH IMG_4355

web Missy hold smoothie cup breakfast forage greenhouse GH IMG_4406

web Missy eat pear look at camera breakfast forage greenhouse GH IMG_4360

Jamie:

web Jamie lick smoothie cup breakfast forage greenhouse GH IMG_4403

Foxie:

web Foxie close up chow in mouth breakfast forage greenhouse GH IMG_4397

Thanks again to Vicky for making this day special!

Nightbag Rituals

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As Diana mentioned yesterday, she got some photos of the chimps enjoying their nightbags last Friday. As most of you know, Negra is the biggest fan of nightbags and almost seems to live for that time of the day. But the reality is, nightbags are truly loved by all. Each one of the chimps has their own ritual with nightbags. If we serve them in the greenhouse, everyone immediately scatters when they get their bag, heading off to a safe and more isolated location. Nightbags are a prized possession, so everyone is careful to ensure their bag is not stolen by someone. Jamie immediately goes up to the window sill, tears it open and dumps everything out so she can pick through what she wants to eat first. Negra doesn’t tend to move away very far, as eating it is her number one top priority (not to mention I think she knows no one would steal her nightbag!). She tears a hole in the bag and munches on it through the hole, allowing nut shells and empty sunflower seeds to collect on her belly. Jody tends to lay down to eat hers, usually tearing it open but leaving it neatly on the bag while she picks through the mix with her lips. Annie usually bites a hole in her bag and holds it like a cereal bowl. Foxie’s method is pretty similar to Annie’s, only she usually dumps small amounts in her hand and sorts through it there:

Foxie

Missy usually tears it open and spreads it open like Jamie- a perk of being a more dominant chimp, in that you don’t have to worry about people stealing it as much so dumping it out isn’t as big of a deal. And then you get to go through and eat each nut and seed at your leisure:
Missy

Burrito uses the cereal bowl method as well though I think his favorite part is going back and sorting through people’s abandoned scraps!
Burrito

In memory of Uncle Kenny

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My husband and I sponsored today in honor of Kenneth Currie Davis, who died last week at the age of 80. Like our friends here at the sanctuary, Uncle Kenny was a true survivor. He conquered polio at age 6, and went on to live a life full of love and adventure. He loved to fly his planes and watch fast cars, so I think this pic of Missy racing across Young’s Hill is fitting. He is deeply missed by his wife Frances, sister Bee, brother Jerry (my husband’s dad), and his pup Casey. Also kids Becky, Jenny and Susan and their families, and many more. Rest in peace, Uncle Kenny!

Missy flying

Exercise

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Now that the snow has melted and the sun has returned, the chimpanzees have been really enjoying being outside on Young’s Hill.  This morning we witnessed an impressive burst of activity.  I can imagine how good it must feel to them to be able to stretch their legs.