Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Nesting

When Jamie Makes her Bed

by

As many of you know, Jamie is a very intricate nest builder. Her nests are often woven in the caging, tied to objects, and she is even known to build a fort or two. Jamie also must have her boots incorporated in her nest. Sometimes her boots are weaved into the nest and sometimes the boots have to be even closer to her like in her pelvic pocket. All these examples can be seen in the video or the photos!

Jamie’s finished work:

However, Jamie had to also watch the volunteers clean and lay on her barrel:

Jamie’s other nest today had her tool play set tied to it:

 

A time for lounging and a time for adventure

by

If we were to do a poll of the caregivers, or you all reading this (if you’ve been following a long for a bit), I would be willing to put good money down that Negra would be chosen as the chimpanzee at CSNW most likely to be found nesting.

Who do you think would be the second runner up?

I’m going to go with Jody. Is that what you thought?

There is no question that Negra and Jody know how to truly relax. Here are two of my favorite photos of them demonstrating their lounging prowess.

Negra:

Jody:

This morning was another GORGEOUS fall day, and most of the chimpanzees headed right outside, literally disappearing into the hill:

You will probably be able to guess who remained under her blanket, though (thanks to Earth Rated for donating these green lovely blankets to the chimps!):

If you guessed Negra, you would be correct.

Jody, despite her love of leisure, does like a morning adventure, so she went out, then back to the greenhouse, then out again, until she finally came back with a procured bamboo snack:

She stopped at the raceway to keep an eye on the other adventurers:

By the time lunch rolled around, Negra too was ready to emerge from her cocoon and soak up the fall air:

The addition of baked pumpkin to the lunch forage may have played a motivating factor:

It’s so satisfying to be able to see the chimpanzees making choices about how they spend their time. I’m glad that everyone got outside and enjoyed this beautiful day and also fit in a little quiet time for napping too.

Blankets

by

It’s the time of year when everyone just wants to curl up with a blanket or ten, chimps included. Earlier today, I posted this photo of Negra to our Facebook page:

This gave me the idea to go through some of our older photos and collect some of the chimps cuddling up. Negra is the biggest blanket enthusiast, but the others enjoy getting comfy too.

Negra:

Jamie:

Jody:

Missy:

Jody Feeling Better

by

Yesterday was the day after Jody’s eyelid repair surgery. She spent most of the day sleeping off the anesthesia after making a giant nest. Yesterday she wasn’t so interested in food or drinks, but was taking sips of water.

I know that chimpanzees are known for their quick healing and tough spirits, but even I was surprised what a difference a night made for Jody. This morning, the swelling around her eye had gone down considerably, and she was alert, active, and hungry! She was especially happy to be offered some lychees that an old friend brought her and was eager to dig into some pineapple. She took a little smoothie too:

It was also clear that she was very interested in being back with the rest of the chimpanzees:

Dr. Erin Zamzow came to assess things and decided it would be best to give her another day of healing on her own without the drama and focused attention of the other chimps.

Jody decided maybe another day alone wasn’t so bad…

Her friends still got to visit her while she was in her private quarters. She and Foxie played a little game of tag:

and Burrito gave her a kiss:

We made sure that Jody had lots of food puzzles and other interesting things to do and that the other chimpanzees were able to go about their daily activities, like Missy running:

Jamie hanging out in the tunnel on the hill:

and Burrito allowing me to photograph his handsome self:

 

Work Play Work

by

Well today was full of anticipation! By 9 am J.B. and our amazing volunteers were out building this SPECTACULAR climbing structure and yes that word does have to be in all caps because it is that stunning. The structure has a little bit of everything for every chimp and these chimps could not wait to get out on Young’s Hill and check it out! However, the chimps could not go out on the Hill until it was done. They waited so patiently and found ways to stay busy! Jamie monitored the volunteers cleaning and the volunteers helping with the structure, Neggie napped in the nice and toasty Greenhouse, Burrito played chase, and Missy, Jody, Annie, & Foxie played some wild games! Jody was half pilo all day just from all the excitement, she was so excited she was even playing like crazy with Missy today. For not being able to go on the Hill most of the day these chimps were in great moods!

Jody a little pilo:

Negra:

We really put our volunteers to work today:

Volunteer working hard:

The chimps loved the final product:

 

Rainy Sundays

by

Well, today turned out to be a mostly rainy day. The chimps took advantage and tried to recuperate after the crazy party yesterday! Jamie and I got to fit a few walks in luckily, but otherwise the chimps spent their day playing lazy games of chase, napping, and grooming.

Burrito took a mid-day nap on the floor:

Jamie found most of the Playroom forage (big nuts) and snacked on it for a while:

Later, Jamie took a nice relaxing nap with her boot:

Annie also took a minute to lay down and rest:

Jody decided to keep it pretty low key:

Jody and Annie spent a lot of their day grooming and laying in any warm sunshine they could find:

Is it Winter?

by

The chimps and I are still in disbelief that it is 42 degrees in January! Jamie and I have been going on nice leisurely walks (Missy did joined us but after a while she would sprint off). Missy has been out all day running everywhere, climbing on all the outdoor structures, and balancing on ropes. Annie and Missy enjoyed sometime together on the Hill playing follow the leader and wrestling in the Playroom. Foxie took her dolls outside and soaked in the warmer weather. Foxie and Jody later went far out on the Hill and explored together. I couldn’t catch Burrito in any photos but he also had been out and about on the Hill and of course played chase in the Green House! And Neggie made some very cozy nests today and laid near the Playroom windows to feel the warm sun shining in.

Missy running on Young’s Hill:

Missy:

Annie staring out towards the Hill:

Annie:

Jamie also running on the Hill with Missy:

Jamie:

Negra: