Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Rainy Day Adventures

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It’s a rainy, cool day here in Cle Elum today. Driving into work this morning through the mist I thought that the chimps would maybe be pretty relaxed and be content to spend the day in comfy nests listening to the rain.

I was wrong. 🙂

When I went to say good morning to Cy’s group, everyone was rearin’ to play chase, groom, or just stare at me for long periods of time without blinking (hi, Honey B). On the other side of the chimp house, everyone was off on their adventures as soon as I gave them access to Young’s Hill! I’m pretty sure Missy spent the whole morning after breakfast out under the trees and everyone else came and went as they pleased. I was cleaning Playroom 1 with one of our awesome volunteers, Patti, when Jamie decided it was time to go for a patrol around the hill. She had me wear one of her new favorite boots and when we made it to the top of the hill, she stopped and hung out for a while. It was a pretty exciting walk- be sure to check out today’s video to see why! 🙂 I might have cried a little bit, but that’s just me.

This afternoon, though, has been quiet as everyone nests in warm, fresh, cozy blankets. All in all, it’s been a pretty darn good rainy day.

Cy:

Gordo, holding his feet, because why not?

Sweet Lucky:

Terry, mid-chew:

Honey B, gazing into my soul… pretty sure she knows my social security number, what I got on my SAT’s in high school, and every other little secret about me:

 

Small space, big fun

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As Sofía mentioned last month, we were hesitant to give the newly formed group of chimpanzees their smallest enclosure back. Now that Front Room 7 is back in action, we often find multiple chimpanzees choosing to gather in this space for social and relaxation sessions. We can often hear laughter echoing down the hallway from this room as we write the blog! When designing a sanctuary, you just never quite know where the popular “club houses” will be. I guess it just highlights the importance of following the chimps’ lead and letting them have as much choice in the matter as possible.

Predictions

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During introductions it was hard tell who Honey B would become friends with. We knew Honey B enjoyed her alone time, but still appreciated the company of her chimp and human friends on her terms. When Honey B first re-met Dora they were both so excited to see each other! However, Terry and Honey B had to put the work into rebuilding a friendship. Recently, Honey B has been hot commodity with her new group. It seems like everyone wants to “mall walk,” groom, play, or just be around her. If we had to predict which chimps would bond with Honey B, Dora and Rayne would really be my only guesses. Lately, we find Honey B and Terry hanging out a lot. We have been seeing some play with her and Cy and even Gordo gets a little quick play session in from time to time.

Words can’t express the feelings I have when watching Honey B build connections with her group. It’s everything they worked so hard for and why a bigger social group is so important for chimps, especially one like Honey B.

Cy grooming Honey B:

Rayne grooming Honey B:

Honey B in the middle of a grooming train:

A series of different Honey B nests:

And one more picture for fun! Can you guess who was wearing this accessory as an anklet?

Look below for the answer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you said Burrito, you would be correct!

 

 

 

 

 

Let Tree-dom Ring

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Well, we have some exciting news! I am not sure if anyone picked up on Anthony or Chad’s very subtle hints, but today Jamie’s group received access back to the new and improved Young’s Hill! For those who might be wondering about Cy’s group, the Bray Hill isn’t quite ready yet.

This afternoon, watching the seven go back out into their outdoor enclosure was a spectacular event to witness! I will share a few highlights of the day and tomorrow JB will have a video with more details to share!

Annie trying out new structures:

Burrito exploring:

Fearless little Foxie:

Missy and Annie inspecting:

Jody:

Jody and Foxie checking out their new structure:

Chad took this photo of Jamie. To me, this photo is the epitome of sanctuary:

Also this photo of Jamie, she looks so happy:

Maybe one of the best highlights of the day is Missy being the first to climb the trees! We humans and probably Jo were all holding our breath, but also so excited to watch Missy agilely climb a tree for the first time EVER!!!

Jody watching Missy climb a tree:

Jody and Annie monitoring Missy closely from the ground:

“Here I sit beneath a tree. Heartbeat calm. Soul hums free.”

– Angie Weiland-Crosby

Foxie Doesn’t Care

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As caregiver Sofia and I were cleaning the Playroom I heard a knock on the share window by the Green House. When I looked over, it was Foxie with two dolls! I ran over to say hi through the window before going upstairs to squeegee, but then she knocked on the window one more time and erupted into a game of chase. I ran out telling Sofia I would be right back! Foxie did not care that we were cleaning, it was time to play. We chased for several minutes before she decided it was time to have her dolls back. However, before I could go back to help clean Jamie and Missy needed tomatoes from the garden, obviously!

On the other side of the building, Willy B has recovered very well! We have been starting the process of reintroducing Willy B back into his group. Because they are a relatively new group we need to slowly add Willy B back to ensure overall success and well-being. We have been doing play dates, but today we took the step of adding him into a small group overnight to make sure it goes okay. If all goes well he will be back with his group tomorrow!

Everyone has been so excited to see Willy B, his day has been full of grooming and playing chase :)!

It’s October, which means Jamieween is right around the corner! Make sure to keep checking on our Amazon Wish List for Jamie’s party!

Hot Commodity

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For once there wasn’t a lot going on today for the chimps or the humans. That happens very rarely in this chimp house now a days! The chimps spent most of their day napping, grooming, lazily playing, or working on some enrichment.

Jody grooming a pile of blankets… oops I mean Negra!

Jamie and Missy spent most of the day coaxing their caregivers over to the small garden where the tomatoes and grape vines were ready to be picked! Of course, we had to oblige!

Terry was a hot commodity today! As I walked by with the camera, Lucky and Terry began grooming.

I took a series of photos of Terry Bronx Cheering (or blowing raspberries) when he and Lucky were grooming. Terry is always Bronx Cheering- whether he is grooming, trying to get our attention, and he even does it when he is working up into a display.

A few minutes later Rayne passed by to join the party. Terry began grooming her and then Rayne reciprocated the grooming.

I found Honey B relaxing on one of the tree leaves. She looked content, but also up to no good all at the same time.

Jamie also found sometime in the day to kick back and relax too.

Sweet sweet Lucky lounging in Oakwood.

Morning Play, Coffee Required

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It’s almost always a guarantee that when you are the first person into the chimp house in the morning and you look through the kitchen doors to Front Room 4, you will see Burrito sitting there. He usually has a block in his mouth or a blanket in his hands. A few head nods and breathy pants later, you’re off on a morning game of chase.

There are many reasons I drink one too many cups of coffee in the morning and this is one of them. Once you initiate a game of play with Burrito, there is no time to stop for fuel. There is no time to stop to chat. There is no morning to-do list. There is only play.

This morning was one of these mornings- I got into the chimp house and as soon as I opened the kitchen door, Burrito was ready. He took off to the greenhouse and it was on! He was also throwing out his Burrito-Spin-Move-Classic, which always brings a smile to your face- no matter how early it is.

Check out the video to come along on a morning play session with Bubba!

Burrito, on the move:

Foxie with her bebe:

Jamie keeping an eye on me:

Jamie with her favorite Lucy Bonobo Book:

Lucky with the right idea- a late morning nap!

Missy trying to convince me to sneak her some tomatoes from the garden:

Negra resting in the greenhouse, in the morning sunlight:

Terry, snoozin, uninterested: