Missy seemed to be having a great time working on a food puzzle this morning. Chimpanzees engage in solitary play quite often, but I can’t remember seeing anyone smile so much in the process.
northwest
Mack
Burrito’s father, Mack, passed away on Sunday at the estimated age of 46.
After spending decades in research, Mack was rescued by Save the Chimps and brought to live on a sunny island home in Florida. He died peacefully during an afternoon nap. Please take a minute to read about his life.
Our hearts go out to his human and chimpanzee families.
Rest in peace, Mack.
New enrichment
Volunteers Amanda and Tennyson helped us build a new enrichment device for the chimps. The woven fire hose has pockets to stick browse in (browse includes leaves, branches and twigs – an important part of a chimp’s diet). Many thanks to Chimps Inc. and the Honolulu Zoo for the idea! Annie, Missy and Jody spent hours picking out the cattails, bamboo and fennel.
While we were installing the browse feeder, we also hung a few more fire hose swings near the new windows. As you can see, they created the perfect game for Missy.
Negra looking tough?
Negra chose one of the pirate blankets (part of pirate day last week) to put over her this morning.
From the back she looked kind of tough
From the front, though, Negra just looked very sweet
Young’s Hill and Out of the Box
We just sent out an e-news announcement with a link to the video below.
Sign up for our e-newsletter if you didn’t receive the announcement, and
check out the video below to learn about our new dream!
(view in full screen mode for full effect – click on the brackets below the video image)
Share this video! Just direct people to this blog post or this link: https://chimpsnw.org/events/auction2010/video.php
How to Nest by Jody and Missy
Jody and Missy are master nest-builders. I managed to get some recent photos of them making midday nests.
Jody’s step one: stand in the middle of the nest and build it around you.
Jody’s step two: include both sheets and blue paper in the nest for full comfort
Jody’s step three: dive face first into the bed (this movement often accompanied by a “Jody happy noise”)
Jody’s step four: enjoy the comfort you’ve created
Missy’s step one: first see if someone will play with you if you put a blanket over your head
Missy’s step two: if no one takes the play bait, proceed with nest-making by placing blankets around you where you sit
Missy’s step three: unfold and place blankets carefully
Missy’s step four: do a headstand
Missy’s step four: roll into a comfortable position and enjoy
Auction items
Tickets are selling fast for Out of the Box, the 2010 Auction Gala Event!
Below are a just a few of the incredible art items that will be up for auction, these pieces are of the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees. There are a lot of other art items, as well as wine and just for fun certificates and getaways. Check out the Auction Items page for a list (and check back often for updates!)
Lucy Birkitt’s oil painting of Negra:
Margaret Parkinson‘s oil painting entitled “Jamie Undercover”:
Diane Frederick‘s wood burned portrait of Annie:
Sally-Anne Ryan’s painting, also of Annie
Join us for an Out of the Box evening. Get your tickets now!