Nesting

The Perfect Nest

July 10, 2020 by J.B.

Each chimpanzee makes a nest in their own unique way. In fact, I bet most chimpanzee caregivers could name the chimp if someone simply described how they make a nest at night. Here at CSNW, we’ve got Jody, who gathers up as many blankets as possible, throws them over her shoulder and drops half of them in a doorway as she searches for the right bench to sleep on. And Burrito, who throws a single blanket over his shoulder on his way to bed like he is carrying a towel to the swimming pool. And Honey B, who wraps herself up like a to-go burrito. All ten of of the chimps here have a particular style and a ritual when it comes to nest-making. As do most humans, I would assume.

Here are a few bonus photos of Foxie from this morning.

To Know Honey B

July 1, 2020 by Kelsi

Be loud. Be proud. Be different. Honey B might be a great example of this. Every chimp is unique. They have different preferences, needs, and wants.

Honey B is unlike anyone I have ever met. She is a goof, but she also needs you to take her seriously. She knows what she likes, but is curious to try most new things. She is curious but questions everything. She is always up to something which keeps us on our toes. She is funny and knows it. She seems comfortable with who she is. Honey B has a certain level of intensity that pulls you in or better yet draws you in. I am constantly mesmerized by her. Sometimes it’s because she creatively used enrichment, often it’s because we just played a crazy game of chase that turned into her making up new moves, I actually have a very hard time not laughing out loud when she does something crazy awesome, and other times it’s the intensity of her grooming you. When she grooms you, you are the only one in the room. Honey B is a loyal friend to have, however, Honey B also knows how to stir the pot and then watch the chaos unfold. Also, we can’t forget her incredible fashion sense! Everyday with Honey B is an adventure and life with her is never dull day.

Honey B playing upside down.

Honey B upside down poking me with her toe.

Honey B.

She loves lounging on firehose.

Honey B loves to wrap herself into blankets like a burrito.

Or make an elaborate nest with paper and other enrichment.

Her impeccable taste in fashion.

Honey B wearing a blanket like a sarong.

Chimpanzees are terrible at social distancing

April 4, 2020 by Diana

Even if we were able to explain to the chimpanzees that we thought it would be best for them to keep their distance from one another, I guarantee they would not be compliant. Chimpanzees are in each other’s personal space constantly.

When they are grooming, it can be difficult to see where one chimp begins and the other ends, like Burrito grooming Foxie’s back today:

Even chimpanzees who are more human-focused frequently want physical contact with their caregivers. We’re strict about safety and never want to put ourselves in the position of being harmed by a chimpanzee. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re even more strict as we protect them as much as we can from potentially picking up any viruses from us.

Jamie can still find ways to groom us, or more accurately, groom “her” boots.

As for isolation, chimpanzees don’t take to it very well.

When Burrito was in his long recovery a few months ago, he actually did remarkably well. It helped that he still had contact with his chimpanzee and human companions through the fencing every day and he was able to watch the group to keep tabs on what they were up to. I think he discovered some benefits to being alone, such as midnight bagel deliveries and not having to deal with other chimps during mealtimes. Still, he was more than ready to go back with his group.

Jody has been isolated from her group for the last few days while she recovers from her foot procedure. She too can interact with the other chimpanzees and the humans through the caging, but she’s less comfortable than Burrito with this temporary separation.

I’m sure many of you can relate right now as you isolate alone or with your family.

One of Jody’s favored activities is nesting, so we are providing lots and lots of blankets for her. She, in turn, is ripping up those blankets to create even better nests.

Today Kelsi put a big pile of blanket strips that Jody created in a laundry basket and we put it in front of Jody’s room so she could pick them out herself.

We’re trying to keep her busy, and maybe she’s learning that it’s okay being a spectator instead of in the mix with the other chimpanzees once in a while too:

I heard someone describe this period the world is going through right now as everyone isolated alone, together. We’re glad to be a part of your together.

A Chimp Guide to Shelter in Place

March 25, 2020 by Kelsi

I am extremely lucky to have a job that requires me to come in to work everyday. During these difficult times, it helps to have something to focus on that’s a welcome distraction from the outside world. Fortunately, the chimps don’t really know what is going outside of CSNW. Life goes on as normal for them! Which is why they have put together a guide to help inspire ideas on how to make self isolation fun. Or at least take your mind off things for 3 minutes and twenty one seconds!

Also….

Honey B has so much confidence. It is truly inspiring. She is always rockin’ some new enrichment.

Neggie’s wonderful face.

Annie enjoying the warm weather on Saturday.

Jamie 🙂

Happy Thoughts

March 21, 2020 by Diana

Years ago, a couple of volunteers (Roszika and Andy) started something they called Happy Club.

A small group of us would meet at a local ice cream/coffee shop and bring a list of five things that had made us happy since we last met. We would read our lists out loud to the group. In the sharing of our happy moments, we increased happiness exponentially within the group (I’ve done the math to prove that statement).

The in-person meetings petered out when people moved away or got busy doing other things (I do hope they were resurrected once in a while), and Happy Club was moved to a virtual platform that still exists. People don’t post to it too frequently, but every once in a while I’ll see in my Facebook feed that someone has posted their list of five things that made them happy that week. It always makes me pause and puts things into a different perspective.

Today was a gorgeous, warm, sunny day. It’s not going to last – there’s even snow in the forecast for Monday – but today was like summer. It would have been a huge missed opportunity to not set out a lunch forage on the hill, but luckily I didn’t miss the opportunity.

Here’s a list of things that made me happy today.

Number 1: The sun. No explanation needed.

Number 2: The staff at CSNW. Amazing, I tell you.

Number 3: CSNW supporters. I received texts and emails of support and a couple of notifications of donations throughout the day. I love people who share my love of the chimpanzees!

I realize I mentioned #2&3 in my video from the other day. Those two probably would make my list every week!

Number 4: Burrito

Burrito started his day wrestling and tickling Missy, then Jody, then Negra. Nothing knocks him down. He remains full of playfulness, charm, and energy. I don’t know how he does it.

Number 5: Negra

Unlike Burrito, she is not often full of playfulness and energy (though when she is, it is a pure joy to witness).

This is how Negra started her day:

Doesn’t she look so cozy? She also looks like she could spend the rest of the day in bed.

But, she didn’t. She tore herself out of bed for breakfast, and she was out on the hill for the forage with everyone else, though her style is to take it easy while the other chimpanzees quickly go from place to place looking for food.

Seeing Negra outside in the sun should be able to make anyone’s happy list.

Pretty soon, the hill will be full of green grass and Negra will be outside partaking of one of her top ten happy things. I am so looking forward to that! It’s okay if we go through one more snow storm first to get there.

Strange Times

March 12, 2020 by Anthony

Outside of the sanctuary, there’s a lot going on right now.

Most of you are probably well aware of the uncertainty and trepidation surrounding COVID-19, and we have been altering our operations to ensure that this pandemic has no effect on the chimpanzees. If you’re wondering exactly how we are adjusting, I recommend reading this letter to our community that Diana sent out yesterday.

Obviously, we are doing our best to minimize the potential for pathogen transmission into the sanctuary while maximizing social distancing. Unlike many Washington state employers, however, we can’t just completely close down the office and have everybody work from home. Our staff needs to continue providing the chimpanzees with healthy meals, engaging activities, secure enclosures and clean surroundings, albeit now with a much smaller team of personnel than we are accustomed to. That’s okay, though. Our core team is pretty good at this caregiving stuff, and we don’t think the chimps have noticed that there are unprecedented measures being taken across the globe in response to a new and unusual coronavirus.

Today, I took some time after lunch to observe the chimpanzees as they foraged, relaxed, socialized and exercised. I also casually took some photographs to share with you all.

I always find that watching them go about their day is grounding and encouraging, and I am proud that we can continue to offer them a peaceful sanctuary home even in the strangest of times. Stay mindful, everyone.

Missy’s eyes, gazing across the Greenhouse

Honey B processing and consuming a handful of hazelnuts

Honey B eating hazelnuts that we scattered in a bin of wood chips

Burrito (right) grooming with Jamie (left)

Missy’s fingers poking through the caging as she gestures for me to interact with her

Foxie napping while partially obscured from observation (and the camera’s auto-focus feature)

Missy cautiously looking around at her peers before beginning a grooming session of her own

Annie peering down at the camera lens from the top of the Greenhouse

Burrito looking around from a sheltered corner of the Greenhouse

Annie scanning the landscape of Young’s Hill from the raceway into the Greenhouse

Willy B eating pecans and walnuts that he found hidden in a tub of wood chips (Note: he later flipped and emptied the tub to find the rest)

Missy racing around the perimeter of Young’s Hill this afternoon (Update: I was driving the Gator but she still won)

Project Days

March 5, 2020 by Kelsi

We are so fortunate to have so many amazing volunteers. They are always willing to jump in no matter how big or small the task is. Today, we tackled a big project and all of our awesome volunteers came to our aid! We were trading out the old wood chips in the Green House for some fresh new wood chips. This is no small task, though it is a satisfying one! We do this at least once a year depending on how long the chips last. However, we do change out the heavily soiled areas more often. But, it takes quite a few helping hands!

Here they are hard at work: