Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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outdoors

Mave Conquers the Bray

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I could tell that Mave was working up to something big. For months, she’d wait to catch my eye and then shuffle swiftly (this is Mave’s fastest speed) towards the Bray. And as soon as she’d exit the chute, she’d make a beeline straight up the hill. I would join her on the other side of the fence, but to be honest, I’d kind of given up on the idea that she’d make it to the top. She just couldn’t get past that one spot.

But never underestimate Mave, or any chimpanzee for that matter. Maybe now she’ll teach her friend, Dora, to appreciate all the Bray has to offer.

Late Winter on the Hill and A Day in the Clinic

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The weather has been beautiful lately and the chimps have been taking full advantage of this false spring before the inevitable second winter strikes back. Enjoy a few scenes from The Bray and Young’s Hill from the past couple of days.

I also want to share with you that yesterday, Honey B took what we hope will be her last trip to the clinic for a while. Here’s more on that from Dr. Erin:

Yesterday, Honey B had her 3rd clinic trip to manage a bite wound on her left hand. She’s had 2 regional limb perfusions to concentrate antibiotics, including deep flushing of the infected wound. Despite twice daily laser treatments, x-rays, and antibiotics, the swelling and drainage have persisted. A team of medical professionals, including Dr. Jeffrey Friedrich, a board certified hand surgeon, and surgery residents Dr. Thais Calderon and Dr. Emma Dwyer, performed a deeper exploratory surgery, which, unfortunately, resulted in the amputation of the affected finger to prevent arthritis and chronic pain. As sad as we are that we couldn’t defeat the bone infection in Honey B’s finger, we are looking forward to her being more comfortable and regaining better use of her hand. We’re grateful for the expertise of Dan Low MD (chimp anesthesiologist extraordinaire) who introduced us to Dr. Friedrich, CRNA Kate Uselman (anesthesia), Dr. Rachelle Chavez, DC, OB/GYN, and sonographer Huong Johnston who performed ultrasound and a complete pelvic exam. Honey B recovered well and was awake and hungry by dinnertime. Even though she was ready to join a brief fray yesterday afternoon, she will need to be isolated for a few days to monitor her healing. A huge thank you goes out to the entire medical team for their care and expertise!

And a huge thank you to Dr. Erin, too!

One team performs the ultrasound while another begins a regional limb perfusion:

The anesthesia team monitors Honey B’s vitals:

The surgical team at work, while CSNW Vet Assistant, Krissy, and visiting veterinary student extern, Eden, observe and help coordinate:

Honey B in recovery:

And Honey B the next day, ready to explore and rejoin her friends (but not until the doc gives the OK):

King of the Crow’s Nests

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Willy B decided he would try a few new things today.

He began by climbing to the top of Ryan’s Lookout. I was impressed just to see him do that much and thought he might have called it quits after that, since it took him several minutes and multiple attempts to figure out how to get back down. We have a backup plan for almost any situation imaginable but getting a chimp who is afraid of heights down from a climbing structure would not be easy.

But he was undeterred by that experience, or maybe even invigorated by it. He then set his sights on a crow’s nest.

Who is this guy? And he wasn’t content to climb just one crow’s nest. As soon as he awkwardly climbed down from the first, he headed straight to another one.

He spent quite a while up there, taking in the view and even watching intently as volunteer Carrie drove down the long driveway and off into town.

Getting down from the second crow’s nest was a bit quicker but no more graceful than from the first.

Willy B’s old buddies, Honey B and Mave, were outside keeping an eye on him during his many adventures. One of Honey B’s new favorite places is the Escher climbing structure, which is about halfway up the hill. It still surprises me to see her out there. She has a touch of light sensitivity and can often be seen shielding her eyes when outside in the bright sun. Either that or she’s trying to conceal her identity.

Mave waited patiently at the end of the boardwalk.

While Willy’s conquering of the crow’s nests may have been the biggest news of the afternoon, it was something more subtle that really caught my attention when he returned.

Mave was waiting to greet him at the bottom of the hill.

After bouncing and pant-grunting, Mave walked with Willy B back to the chute to be with the rest of the group.

And neither utilized the boardwalk.

This is a guy that couldn’t let his tender little toes touch grass even when his favorite foods were just a few steps away.

It’s a good reminder that progress in sanctuary work is often measured in years, even decades.

Don’t forget about Giving Day for Apes! We are hoping to compete for the most dollars raised for a North American sanctuary during the “Power Hour” of 10 – 11 a.m. PT / 1 – 2 p.m. ET tomorrow. Please consider making a donation to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest at that time!