natural enrichment

Continuing the trip down memory lane in celebration of the sanctuary’s 8th anniversary, today is all about the Cle Elum Seven’s seventh year of sanctuary.

The seventh year of sanctuary would include moving the veterinary clinic under the newly constructed pole barn…

…adding a new climbing structure to Young’s Hill. It would be the tallest structure built on the hill to date. It is comprised of two climbing towers (Carlene’s Tower and Jamie’s Lookout), which are connected by a swinging bridge…

Jamie’s Lookout

Carlene’s Tower

…and perhaps one of the biggest highlights of the seventh year of sanctuary has been the addition of Positive Reinforcement Training (click on the link to read JB’s description of PRT at the sanctuary.) I think Diana summed it up the best; “Our ultimate goal with this program is to give the chimps the opportunity to participate in their own medical care, and to make it a positive experience for them.” The information gained from these training sessions is critical to providing the best care possible for the chimps.

Click on the link to read more about Negra’s progress in the PRT program.

The chimps also had some new visitors on Young’s Hill this year, including Hank the Hawk and Bernard the Eagle.

And here are some more highlights from the seventh year of sanctuary.

Thanks to the handy work (destruction) of whom we can only guess was responsible (most likely Jamie), the chimps got a new and improved bridge in the Playroom.

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Foxie flips

Jamie enjoys Young’s Hill after hours.

Burrito doing what he does best, being a big kid.

And Jody doing what she loves, foraging for plants on Young’s Hill.

Annie’s increased independence.