Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Play

George, His New Best Friend, and the Third Wheel

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George engaged in a lot of play during the one-on-one intros, especially with the other boys. These were positive interactions, but not a guarantee that he would fit in once part of the larger group. While all signs so far have pointed towards George’s integration being a success, we have been waiting for the day that he would feel comfortable enough to engage in some roughhousing in the larger group setting. This would be an indication that he felt comfortable and secure with his new family. And today, just two weeks after building up the full group, we got to see George play with his new best friend—and an awkward third wheel.

I have to say, we’re excited for George, but we might be even more excited for Gordo. He’s enjoying this new friendship and really deserves a buddy like George.

A Visit From Dora

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Gordo recently joined the introduction group, leaving just Dora behind from Cy’s original group of 6. While Dora waits to join the introduction, she went to visit Willy B, Honey B, and Mave. In today’s blog video, see how excited everyone was to be reunited with Dora! Unfortunately Willy B gets overstimulated with Dora in the group long term and begins to pick on her, so she is now living with Mave until she is ready to join the introduction.

Little Moment with Annie

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Annie is one of our quieter chimps. She doesn’t ask for much attention from her caregivers, not because she doesn’t enjoy it, but because Annie is truly more of a chimp’s chimp. I’ve written before about how some chimps naturally gravitate more toward people, while others find their comfort and fulfillment primarily within their chimpanzee group. When we talk about those differences, we also recognize the fact that many of our residents didn’t get to live natural lives, and some grew up with humans.

What matters most to us is that Annie gets what she needs from her group, which she does! Seeing chimps maintain strong, healthy relationships with one another is always a priority here. We are constantly encouraging chimp-to-chimp interactions because those bonds are so important, which is why if we are interacting with a chimp and another chimps joins, we will remove ourselves if they chimps are engaged with each other.

Because Annie gravitates more to her group, interactions like today feel all the more special! It is a gentle reminder that trust can look different for every chimp, and that honoring who Annie is means celebrating both her independence and the moments she invites us into her world.

Foxie and Her Dolls

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On our recent “Ask the Caregiver” blog, someone asked about Foxie’s dolls.  Lynne K asked, “Where does Foxie keep her dolls?  Are they rotated by keepers or does she have access to all/many of them?

Great question Lynne K!

Foxie has an entire bin dedicated to her dolls.  You’ll get a look at the bin in the video posted today.  How many dolls do you think are in that bin?  I know the answer, but you have to guess before I tell you!

Everyday, before closing up for the evening, a caregiver or volunteer prepares enrichment for the next day.  We have a selection of all sorts of fun things to include, such as toy hammers and small wooden toys, slinkies, bouncy rubber balls, socks, headbands, scarves, books and magazines, cups and bowls, boots, and DOLLS!  We try to include a little something for everyone, and that includes a nice selection of Foxie’s favorite dolls!  She has them for the day, then when we clean the following day, we remove them and all of the other enrichment items and give them a good cleaning.  Once they’re dry, they go back into her bin until the next time they’re chosen.

Foxie spends a lot of solo time with her dolls.  But you’ll also find her incorporating her dolls into play with her chimpanzee friends, and her caregivers!

Please enjoy today’s video of Foxie and me playing doll LAUNCH!  And don’t forget to guess how many dolls are in Foxie’s doll bin!  You won’t win anything if you guess correctly, except bragging rights.  Ha!

Front Rooms of Fun

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If you’ve been following us for long, you may know that the front rooms are a beloved spot for both lounging and activities for the chimps living on Cy’s side of the building. There’s FR 7, which is the perfect spot for spying on the humans doing work in the foyer. FR 6 with a food chute to perch on and keep eyes on happenings in the clinic (if you’re Honey B, it’s also a fun activity to have your caregivers open the door to the clinic for you on command!), and FR 5 which connects to the chute and is slightly larger – meaning more room for activities! When George first arrived and into the initial steps of his introduction to Cy’s group, he was living in the front rooms with access to other areas on different days. Because George was occupying the front rooms, the rest of the chimps not being introduced to him weren’t able to visit the front rooms, until just recently! As the introduction group got larger, George and friends moved into a larger space (the playrooms and greenhouses), giving the rest of the chimps the opportunity to rotate through being in the front rooms. I don’t think anyone is more thrilled about this than Honey B!

In today’s blog video, see how Willy B, Honey B, and Mave are making the most of their time in their beloved front rooms!