Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

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Tickle Therapy

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It looks like today will be Burrito’s last day on restricted activity. Which is great for him, obviously, but a relief for the staff, too, because we can’t keep up with him. He’s just too playful. Thankfully, Nurse Jody took another shift this afternoon and tried to tickle him back to health.

Earlier in the afternoon, we tried to offer Burrito some lunch. It did not go as planned.

He was convinced that it was playtime, not lunchtime. Soon his onion was a toy and he began laughing to himself.

He tossed his green pepper aside and rolled the onion around the room.

He insisted that I stop serving lunch and join him.

He thought it was the funniest onion ever.

It was!

But then he noticed the lettuce on the table behind me. Lettuce is good.

Maybe even better than playing?

Yup.

Oh, but that onion!

Our thanks go out to all the amazing Produce Patrons that keep Burrito and the gang supplied with delicious food (and, er, toys?). Learn how you can be a Produce Patron here.

Stop Thief!

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Let’s start with today’s Burrito update. Things continue to look good – he is eating, taking his meds, and playing with his caregivers constantly. As far as he’s concerned, he’s ready to go back with the group. Unfortunately for him, he needs to remain on restricted activity for another week or so. Our main concern at this point is excessive bleeding, a potential complication of envenomation that can persist for up to two weeks after the bite. While in isolation, the staff are keeping Burrito’s toes thoroughly tickled and tomorrow we hope to provide him with a low-key visitor like Jody. Though I’m sure he is starting to feel frustrated at being cooped up, he doesn’t need to be in the middle of any family squabbles right now.

As you may have seen, the rest of his family has returned to Young’s Hill. Last Sunday we did a thorough sweep of the enclosure to ensure that there weren’t any more snakes out there. Both the main building and Young’s Hill are surrounded by about a 1/4 mile of rattlesnake exclusion fencing. The fence is composed of 36″-tall galvanized hardware cloth that is partially buried in the ground, and it’s based on a fairly well-tested design. We knew that it wasn’t foolproof, however, as it is particularly difficult to execute around entrance gates and there were a couple of small sections next to the building that had to be temporarily taken down to allow for the new construction. We don’t know where the snake got through, but we have already begun implementing alternative ways to reinforce those areas.

While we’d be happy if the chimps gained a healthier fear of snakes, we’re relieved that they weren’t too scared by the incident to continue enjoying the outdoors. Even Annie is back out there, though she is justifiably more cautious around bushes and logs. Here are a few photos of Annie’s birthday party that didn’t make it into yesterday’s post.

Jamie:

Foxie:

Missy:

Before I end I should tell you about a bit if thievery I witnessed this morning. As I was shifting the chimps to the greenhouse for breakfast, I noticed Jody walking in the opposite direction from the rest of her family with her head held low. While Missy and Jamie lined up for smoothie and Annie and Foxie blew raspberries at the staff to demand their share of fruit, Jody quietly but swiftly skulked back inside from the greenhouse. And soon I could see why. In her mouth was a huge stalk of Brussels sprouts that she must have found on the hill, an unnoticed leftover from yesterday’s birthday bash. It was the perfect plan: While the others were distracted with breakfast, she would savor her sprouts in the privacy of the playroom and no one would be the wiser. And she nearly pulled it off. But as she rounded the final corner from the front rooms to the playroom, she ran straight into the last person you want to see when you are guarding a precious treat: The Melon Mugger. The Romaine Robber. The Potato Pilferer. The Strawberry Swindler.

THE BRUSSELS BURGLAR.

Each let out a silent scream, their teeth bared in fear grimaces. But there would be no conflict. Negra pulled rank and Jody had no choice but to relinquish her prize. At least there was still breakfast to look forward to.

See you tomorrow at Hoot!

A Difficult Day

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Tonight, Burrito is recovering from a rattlesnake bite.

We heard a commotion on Young’s Hill this morning and went out to find six of the chimps intensely alarm calling and screaming as they surrounded a large snake. Burrito unfortunately got too aggressive in pursuit of the snake and received a bite to the base of his thumb. Thankfully, we were able to get the chimps back inside relatively quickly. We then entered the enclosure, captured the snake, and confirmed that it was indeed a rattler.

Shortly thereafter, Burrito was anesthetized and given a course of antivenin while his symptoms were still relatively mild. At this point he is stable and resting but he is not out of the woods yet.

Diana and I are so grateful for the prompt response from the staff and veterinary team. Burrito will be monitored closely overnight and we promise to update you tomorrow as we know more. Please keep him in your thoughts.

Cabbage for Breakfast

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Volunteer and friend of the sanctuary, Krissy, recently dropped off some garden-grown cabbage for the chimps. Some of you might not consider cabbage to be breakfast food but the chimps would beg to differ. In fact, it may have been more popular than the oranges, apples, and primate chow.

A rare photo of all seven chimps together on Young’s Hill.
Annie in the foreground, with Jody and Missy behind her
Negra, pre-cabbage
Negra, post-cabbage
Jody, gathering all the cabbage and apples she can hold…
…and making a beeline to the Greenhouse.
Burrito, trying to conceal the fact that while the others found cabbage leaves, he found an entire head. Just play it cool and don’t make eye contact.

In addition to everything she personally does for the chimpanzees, Krissy also supports the chimpanzees through her business, The Whole Pet Shop (in Woodinville, WA and Roslyn, WA), which is a Chimpanzee Champion-level sponsor of Hoot! 2020. Have you checked out all of the incredible items up for auction now through September 12? Your support will not only help keep Negra up to her ears in cabbage, but it will also help us provide a home for even more deserving chimpanzees.

 

Bronx Cheers

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I remember when I first learned that adult house cats “meow” almost exclusively to humans and not to other cats. It’s still fascinating to me that in the course of domestication, not only have we selected for certain vocal tendencies in cats but they have also exploited some natural human perceptual tendencies to be able to express what they want – for example, food, affection, or help when they are in trouble. It’s a language, if you will, that exists only between our two species.

Chimpanzees are obviously not domesticated but they certainly are smart, and they have also found unique ways to communicate with humans. The Bronx cheer, or raspberry, is part of the vocal repertoire of many free-living chimpanzees but it is typically used when grooming. Captive chimpanzees, however, have discovered that at full volume it’s a great way to get the attention of humans. And if you do it over and over again, louder and louder each time, the humans will eventually give in. Or go crazy. Either way, it’s enriching for them.