Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
It was the perfect late summer morning with bright blue skies and cool air. Jody was very anxious to get outside and resume her mother hen duties and make sure Young’s Hill was safe for her friends to venture on and see what she could see. And everyone seemed equally excited to be out and about with their friend and took their oranges from breakfast to go!
Jody:
Missy:
Foxie:
This morning we got the okay to reintroduce Jody back to the group. She received a very warm welcome as you will see in the video. Jody was greeted by Jamie and Burrito when she got access to the Playroom. Jamie was very happy to see Jody was doing well, but also needed to inspect the rooms Jody had been in for the past few days. Jody wanted nothing more than to go straight out to Young’s Hill. Most morning when the chimps get access to the Hill, Jody, the mother hen that she is, likes to be first out to ensure it is safe and secure. So of course, that would be the first place to go when you are reunited back with your friends. We are very happy to see Jody is recovering so well!
Jody laying down while Burrito (middle) grooms Jo and Foxie (right) grooms Burrito:
Annie (left) and Burrito (right) grooming Jody (middle):
And well then there is Burrito:
He was some humans arriving this morning and was very excited to see them (Burrito pant hooting):
The ending of Burrito’s excited pant hoot:
It was a great morning to go outside! All the chimps were out playing on the structures, walking the perimeter, foraging for foliage, or if you were Negra you were still in bed.
Missy started her morning with some tight rope walking:
And she was feeling pretty good about it:
Burrito spent a lot of his morning following Annie around:
Annie pretended not to notice Burrito, and enjoyed some slices of grapefruit:
I found Burrito under the bridge watching the ladies from below:
Annie on the platform, Missy on the fire hose, and Burrito underneath:
Once they were off the Hill, Missy (left) and Annie (right) decided to groom:
Missy laid down, and Annie kept grooming:
Foxie (front) and Jody (behind) decided to walk most of the perimeter of the Hill until they both got distracted by foliage and climbing structures:
This blanket lump is actually Negra. She was too comfy to get out of bed:
Jamie spent her morning going on a walk, and later laying on a barrel with some of her beloved boots. She had to supervise the volunteers while they cleaned:
Is there anything better than watching happy chimpanzees do nothing at all?
The chimps were proactive this morning to beat the heat! First they got all their strenuous tasks out of the way. For example, today was a whopping 96 degrees and tomorrow is only going to get hotter. So Jamie decided to get her walks in right away in the morning:
Second we kept everything closed off to keep it cool all day, but before we crawled into our dark den (we have all been there on a hot day) we got some grooming done:
Missy, Annie, and Jody thought they should groom in the Greenhouse early:
Annie grooming Jody:
Missy:
And Burrito decided to have a lazy day and just watch the volunteers clean:
In the playroom we set out water in buckets (the chimps always have access to water but sometimes drinking water out of buckets is fun!) and in between cleaning areas I would serve water out of the hose or spray our handled mister/fan (really only Jamie like that…).
However, as our third way to stay cool we had a vote and the chimps decided to have watermelon shaved ice boats. So that’s what we did!
Staff caregiver Katelyn was kind enough to help me with this task (Foxie observing closely):
Jamie:
The watermelon was so juicy:
Burrito:
Burrito was so excited you can see how pilo his hair is:
Annie:
I don’t think anything is more refreshing than watermelon shaved ice!
Today was sponsored by the chimpanzees’ good friend, Rachel Ruggeri, in memory of her father, Robert Ruggeri. Rachel shared this special message about today:
“This day is in honor of my father, Robert Ruggeri, who passed away five years ago on this date. While he is no longer with us, his memory and legacy continue to burn bright in the lives of his family, friends, and the of course the gang of seven who show us each and every day the pleasure of living each day to its fullest. May we all seize the day ahead!”
Rachel, thank you so much for the incredible support you show the chimpanzees, for always holding them in your heart, and for the lasting and profound difference you help make in their lives. We so touched to share in honoring your father and his legacy and appreciate you including the chimps. They are indeed shining examples of embracing each day with arms and hearts wide open. We are all sending you all the good thoughts for memories filled with love, comfort and joy as you you celebrate your father today.
Missy is the epitomy of how to live one’s life with gusto and gumption:
Oh my gosh guys, it is HOT. The chimps are so toasty the only thing they could do today was lay down and groom. That was seriously all we did today… well we also ate some shaved ice too!
Annie and Jody laying on the platform in the Green House (Annie in happy baby pose) (Jody relaxing by her side):
Annie:
Jamie watching the volunteers clean the Playroom…
And then she caught me taking a photo of her…
Missy came to join the being a lump party:
And why not groom while you’re there:
In the other corner Burrito was grooming Foxie and Negra was taking in the view:
