Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Missy

The Unknown

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The chimpanzees have been remarkably nonchalant about the giant wing that was added on to their building this spring. Curious at times for sure, but for the most part just going about their days as usual. With the exception of Annie.

Ever since that day last year when we moved the trailer away from the barn doors in preparation for construction to begin, Annie has spent time at those doors peering in, as she is in this photo (she’s the one standing up), or just sitting next to the doors, listening:

The other chimpanzees have been tuned in when something really interesting and new happens, like at the end of January when the hydraulic door on the other side of the barn doors was operated for the first time:

Today though, it was Missy who was spending quite a bit of time hanging out near that doorway to the unknown.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, she did not spend the whole day camped out there. She had other things to do:

I’d love to know what Missy is thinking, what all of the chimpanzees are thinking, about what awaits them on the other side of that door.

Missy has no idea that next month she will be able to look through that door and see the face of her 30 year-old daughter, Honey B. We have the same question as everyone else – will they feel a connection to one another?

They spent less than 24 hours together when Honey B was born to Missy at the Laboratory for Experimental and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP), so it would be extraordinary if they recognized each other by sight. Chimpanzees’ sense of smell is just about as lousy as ours, so that’s not going to help them know each other. It really is like a human mom and baby who were separated at birth. Maybe there will be some kind of connection that even they don’t understand; or maybe it will be the same as Missy with Mave and Willy B – strangers (as far as we know) meeting for the first time.

There are a lot of unknowns.

What is certain is that the chimpanzees are ever more curious about what is going to happen on the other side of that door. Tonight when I went in to the playroom to spot clean I discovered that someone had used a willow branch as a tool to reach a lock on that door.

Soon, chimpanzees, soon.

The One the Only Missy

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Missy spends most of her time with her chimp friends – in other words, she’s a chimp’s chimp. She is that cool girl that everyone wants to be friends with. She is confident, a friend to all, and she is not afraid to try new things (most of the time). So you could see why it would be a big deal if Missy wanted to play, you would drop everything! I find myself occasionally grooming, tickling, and playing chase with Missy usually after lunch when everyone is napping. As we play you all have to remember Missy is a loyal friend. She helps Jamie keep order in the chimp house, even if it’s not in her best interest. Our games usually end once Jamie notices or the chimps start waking up. Recently, Missy has been popping up randomly to groom or sit together, not at our normal meet up time. Like, this morning we groomed in the Greenhouse and Missy offered a kiss, a KISS! A moment I will cherish forever.

Summer things

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Summertime mornings on Young’s Hill:

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake…

…joined by Burrito

Jody patrolling the hill…

Missy, being her cool self…

…until bestie, Annie, shows up for a game of wrestle and chase on the high beam…

In other news, the chimps have bellies full of berries today (see Anna’s post from yesterday). But that’s what summertime is about, right? Jamie tossed me a bowl today and politely “requested” that I immediately fill it up with raspberries and currants for everyone. Well, for her really. I just gave her her own bowl and made sure the others had some as well. And we humans may have snuck a few ourselves, but do not tell the boss lady.

And thanks to the generosity of one of our lovely supporters (thank you!!), I received a new pair of muck boots today and naturally, they did not for one second go unnoticed by Jamie. She was smitten by the brand-new-shininess of them and gave a head nod of approval at the green kelp design on the lining. Though they’re a fantastic Salmon Sisters design for XTRATUF, Jamie and I both agreed they should henceforth be referred to as the Chimp Sisters boots. Well, probably if you asked Jamie she would just say HER boots. 😉

Happy 4th of July!

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Happy 4th of July everyone! I am sure we all think of fresh fruit, chips, hot dogs/hamburgers (veggie of course), and a crisp drink when we think about gathering with friends and family to celebrate our Independence Day. I mean what could be more 4th of July than a good old fashion BBQ?! I though I would share what was on the menu for our party.

We started our day with a nice refreshing fruit salad bowl made by our lovely volunteers:

Next we moved to the Hill forage for lunch. We cooked up some veggie dogs, Negra and Burrito almost screamed when they saw the buns, cut up some watermelon, we baked fries, sprinkled a few cherry tomatoes, shucked corn, and cut up some spears of cucumber (that we pretended were pickles)! Don’t worry we did not forget about refreshments, the chimps drank some Martinelli’s as well.

I would scream for this meal too:

I know there is a video, but I thought I would share just a few photos too!

Jamie walking on the firehose:

Annie found one of the many boats:

And Negra.

She was moving around everywhere today, it was fun to see where she would pop up:

The Greenhouse

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The Greenhouse is a space that provides many benefits to the chimps. The Greenhouse is the gateway to Young’s Hill, there are different levels of platforms for the chimps to look out or rest on, and  warm spots to sprawl out and bake in the spring/summer. The Greenhouse is also a common space where the chimps like to lounge around, have big grooming sessions, and play games with their human and non-human friends. The wide-open, but secure air space in the Greenhouse is what makes it so wonderful for the chimpanzees. The Greenhouse is so lovely that sometimes it is hard to get the chimps out of it so we can clean. Who could blame them for not wanting to leave?! I have a collection of Greenhouse photos from yesterday and today, I hope you enjoy!

Annie:

Bubba (Burrito) being goofy:

Jody snacking on foliage from the Hill:

Foxie in and out of napping on the top of the Greenhouse platform:

Negra:

Missy self grooming: