Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

patrol

Walking with Jamie and Burrito

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The day after the success of Giving Day for Apes was a beautiful fall day at the sanctuary. I joke that the chimpanzees are truly Pacific Northwest chimps because they seem to love cool overcast days the most.

Whenever I go up to the chimp house, I expect that I will go on a walk with Jamie – it’s what she likes to do. On this day, Burrito was even more eager to walk than Jamie! In fact, as the video reveals, the three of us did three rounds around the hill, with some meandering in between for those two.

I know that Burrito had no idea we were promoting his story and people were donating in his honor, but it was fitting that he was in such a great, enthusiastic, full-of-life, mood.

Thank you again for everyone who donated and helped exceed our goal!

Enjoy your walk with Burrito and Jamie!

 

 

The elk that stole my job

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Many of you know that Jamie likes to be accompanied by a caregiver when she patrols Young’s Hill, her 2-acre enclosure. It’s the best part of the job, in my opinion – fresh air, exercise, and some quality bonding time between chimps and the humans that care for them. And if I’m being honest, it’s just nice to feel needed once and a while.

But it looks like us humans won’t be needed much longer.

This morning, Jamie and Burrito took a walk around the hill with our neighborhood elk, Ellie. This wasn’t the type of patrol we typically see in response to an intruder – Jamie wasn’t aggressive or even particularly vigilant. In fact, it looked to me like the same leisurely stroll that we take with Jamie every day…I mean, used to take every day. Before Ellie took over.

At least Jamie still needs us to clean her enclosures. For now.

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Another day, another adventure on the hill

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It sounds strange to say, but I love it when the chimps are alarmed by something on Young’s Hill. I think they do too, in a way.

This afternoon, I went outside to see what the chimps were up to and I noticed that everyone but Negra was on the hill. Normally that wouldn’t be all that unusual, but it is very cold today and the chimps usually prefer to nap inside after lunch. Missy was pilo erect (her hair was standing on end indicating fear or excitement), and she was walking briskly back down from the top of the hill.

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My guess is that Hank the Hawk was in the area. Sometimes you can’t see him but you can hear his screech echoing through the valley. I can imagine how that might put a chimpanzee on edge.

Jody was trying to keep up with Missy as she zipped back and forth across the hill.

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Annie just sat there, staring into the distance.

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Foxie didn’t seem to know what was going on, but she and Dora came out for backup just in case.

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Burrito sat on a log just outside the greenhouse, watching all the other chimps.

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After a few minutes, he retreated to the doorway, either to warm up or to keep a safe distance from whatever may have been lurking outside.

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Jamie looked at me and gestured toward the building, which was her way of insisting that we grab some boots and set out on a patrol. As we headed back out, Missy took the lead.

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When there’s trouble afoot, Missy likes to head to the top of the hill and stand bipedally to survey her enclosure and the rest of the valley.

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I didn’t see or hear anything unusual on our patrol, and the chimps eventually seemed satisfied that everything was OK.

For now.

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Safety in numbers

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Hank the hawk continues to use the sanctuary as his hunting grounds. But while the chimps were once scared of him, some of them are starting to enjoy having him around, if only for the excitement that he provides.

This morning, Missy was sitting quietly on a climbing structure on Young’s Hill.

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Foxie was nearby, with troll in hand.

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Missy approached Foxie and reached out her hand, holding it under Foxie’s chin.

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Then suddenly, she stood up, climbed down the ladder, and swung on the fire hose.

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She leaped off the fire hose and into a full sprint toward the top corner of Young’s Hill, where the hawk had been perched just days before.

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As soon as she reached the top, she turned and ran back to the climbing structure.

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And swung on the fire hose again.

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The other chimps took notice of Missy’s antics and started to move towards the top of the hill. Missy continued jumping, leaping, and tight rope walking while they gathered.

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They began to congregate on the platform closest to the top of the hill.

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They all looked around for any sign of the hawk.

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Finally, Jody walked toward the corner to get a better look.

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But Jody, it seems, does not share Missy’s sense of adventure. Not yet, at least.

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For now, she’d rather play it safe.

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