Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Thief: The Game

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One of my favorite times of day is when I arrive to the Chimp House in the morning. Usually I’m one of the first humans in to get a jump start on the day. It’s a pretty serene moment in time first thing in the morning. Most of the chimps are already awake, bright-eyed and bushy tail(less), while others are just waking up. It’s at this time in the morning you can catch the chimpanzees engaged in some grooming sessions, mall walking, or playing some kind of silly game.

The other day, as I walked in and turned on the security monitors, I noticed Lucky in the Oakwood Greenhouse rolling around with a sock. She seemed pretty content, then Rayne arrived. Rayne was determined to get Lucky’s sock. From there a game of theft, chase, and keep away ensued. What started with just a sock cascaded into what seemed to be a treasure trove of stolen goods. Ok. Really it was two, maybe three things, but that’s still two or three more that should be stolen, right?

Who do you think was the masterful thief of this game?

Morning with Negra and Afternoon on the Bray

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Due to her mobility issues, Negra has been camping out by herself overnight in the front rooms. Just as she would do in her favorite spot on the playroom catwalk, she’s been building comfortable nests with her fleece blankets and pulling one blanket over herself to block out the outside world. When we come to work in the morning, she’s…not quite ready for the day to begin. But that’s nothing a little amateur tap dancing can’t take care of.

Our deer herds have been gathering lately into a mega-herd of as many as 40 individuals. Lucky took an interest when some members of this herd strolled by the Bray this afternoon.

My day began with George and Dora tickling, wrestling, and laughing in the front rooms. Later in the afternoon, George was in demand again out on the Bray. Gordo is so happy to have a new buddy!

Waiting

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As the weather has been warmer lately, we have been giving Jamie chimpanzee’s group access to their outdoor habitat, Young’s Hill, first thing in the morning.  Today, Jamie sprinted out of the greenhouse, ready to patrol her territory.  Foxie, Missy and Burrito were hot on her heels!  They know that, after breakfast, we spend time cleaning their playroom.  Which is the perfect opportunity to take off to explore the hill, looking for young spring grass to graze on (though it might be a little early, yet).

But they always seem to know when it’s just about time for us to finish up and open the doors back up to their playroom.  They know that there will be a leafy green forage waiting for them, as well as fresh blankets and enrichment. Today, they even had hanging raisin boards, which they love!  So it wasn’t a surprise when we heard breathy chimpanzee laughter coming from the front rooms.  There, we found Burrito and Missy finding ways to pass the time, while waiting for their playroom.

Soon, almost all of the chimps were waiting patiently.

 

Love for Burrito

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Not only is today Valentine’s Day, but today I have the distinct honor of highlighting everyone’s favorite chimpanzee, and my best friend, Burrito!!  Okay, I know he’s not EVERYONE’S favorite, but he’s pretty high up there, I’d say.

Has there ever been a chimpanzee as playful as Burrito?  Quite possibly not.  Burrito is always up for a game of chase, tug-o-war, whack-a-mole, tickle/poke with the spoon, or a run around Young’s Hill at a moments notice.  And when I say, “he’s up for it”, I really mean he DEMANDS it!  Bubba (Burrito) is ready first thing in the morning, blowing raspberries and begging for a game of chase.  Without fail, once Bubba is done with his lunch, he is relentlessly pounding on the caging, demanding that I drop everything to play, play, play.  And everyday, I remind him that I, too, need to eat lunch, and I promise to return to yuk it up.  Sure enough, he waits (patiently?) for my return from lunch so as to commence the caregiver/chimpanzee shenanigans!  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Burrito was born in a laboratory on January 6th, 1983.  That’s right, he turned 43 just last month!  He is half brothers to Noah, Negra’s son, and Clay, Jody’s son. He spent the majority of his first 25 years in biomedical research, though he was also used in the entertainment industry for a year or so, as a youth.  In 2008, he and his family, Jamie, Jody, Missy, Annie, Negra and Foxie, moved to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in Cle Elum and were known far and wide as the Cle Elum 7.

For more about Burrito’s past, click here.

Burrito is best know for his endless, playful energy.  He’s also known for his resiliency.  Burrito was bitten not once, but TWICE by a rattlesnake, on two separate occasions a few years back!  It scared the daylights out of us!  We hope that Burrito has become wise with age and learned his lesson about snakes!  Don’t be a hero, man!

Burrito loves his toys.  He loves to put them in his mouth while playing and laughing.  Some favorites include wooden hammers, wooden blocks, plastic serving spoons, and anything that bounces!  If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you’ve no doubt seen him bouncing on a Jolly Ball, or a Giant Kong!

Burrito will play with just about anyone who’s willing.  But his best friend is sweet Foxie.  He has taken to watching her back during family squabbles, and offering reassurance when needed.

Burrito has 16 pals!  Do you have a pal?  Are you looking for one?  Burrito would LOVE a new pal!  You can sign up to be Burrito’s pal (or another chimpanzee’s pal) here!

THANK YOU to all of Burrito’s Chimpanzee Pals!  Your donations keep us going!