The chimps weren’t about to let a little rain spoil their fun today.
Play
Gratitude
I know I say this every time, but I am always in awe of our supporter’s kindness. The chimps are truly lucky to have friends like you. Giving Day for Apes was such a success. We made over our goal! After a big fundraiser like HOOT! or Giving Day for Apes, I always find myself reflecting on how amazing this sanctuary is. We have ten marvelous chimpanzees, the most dedicated care team, unbelievable volunteers, and incredible supporters. Everyone’s generosity this year feels even more special. We know that times are weird and uncertain, so thank you for your donations. These times have been uncertain for us too, but because of your help, we are still on track for our expansion, which means more chimps get to call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest home! One way to show our gratitude is this video, without your support these three chimps would not be here having this amazing play session this morning. Thank you.
Of course bonus photos!
The handsome Willy B.
Mave relaxing.
Honey B peering into your soul.
Jamie stuffing a troll doll into this sash.
Negra living her best life in this mega nest.
With this last imagine of Negra, we wish you a good night and sweet dreams. 🙂
Greeting Tour
A while back, one of our followers specifically requested a video of us greeting the chimpanzees in the morning.
Well, here it is.
I hope y’all appreciate the chimps’ enthusiasm as much as I do.
Tickle Therapy
It looks like today will be Burrito’s last day on restricted activity. Which is great for him, obviously, but a relief for the staff, too, because we can’t keep up with him. He’s just too playful. Thankfully, Nurse Jody took another shift this afternoon and tried to tickle him back to health.
Earlier in the afternoon, we tried to offer Burrito some lunch. It did not go as planned.
He was convinced that it was playtime, not lunchtime. Soon his onion was a toy and he began laughing to himself.
He tossed his green pepper aside and rolled the onion around the room.
He insisted that I stop serving lunch and join him.
He thought it was the funniest onion ever.
It was!
But then he noticed the lettuce on the table behind me. Lettuce is good.
Maybe even better than playing?
Yup.
Oh, but that onion!
Our thanks go out to all the amazing Produce Patrons that keep Burrito and the gang supplied with delicious food (and, er, toys?). Learn how you can be a Produce Patron here.
Never too old to play
If Burrito and Negra in today’s video do not put a smile on your face and a desire in your heart to help support them and the sanctuary, well I just don’t know what will.
HOOT! is coming up fast! I’ll be spending the next few days madly uploading more auction items – there are some really fun and beautiful things to bid on, and there are a lot of reasons to give. Hope for the future!
P.S. I’m still waiting on your pant-hoot submissions – don’t forget!
Playing with Burrito
One of the highlights of each day.
Episode IV: A New Soap
Okay, so it isn’t Episode IV. It’s not actually the fourth in a series of anything. Furthermore, the soap isn’t even new soap.
However, this blog post is something like an episode and it does indeed contain soap, so there’s all that to consider. I think my stupid pun works for the title, and I would appreciate it if nobody complains. Keep your eye-rolls to yourselves.
Today, the chimpanzees were particular about whether or not they wanted to shift out of enclosures. Shifting is a necessary step that allows us to safely clean the areas and resupply the chimps with enrichment materials, but we sometimes need to work around the decisions that the chimps make. After all, we can’t make them leave an area if they don’t want to. This morning, everyone was out of step- especially with Jody recuperating in Front Room 1 after yesterday’s procedure, sweltering outdoor temperatures and the construction crew hammering away outside of the new wing.
[Note: Jody recovered quickly, as she usually does, and was eager to socialize with her friends through the mesh today! She spent the day eating, watching movies and lounging in front of the fan.]
Because Willy B., Mave and Honey B. were reluctant to leave the chute this morning, we had to clean their indoor rooms in an unusual order. The three chimpanzees still had access to Front Room 5 as we cleaned Front Rooms 6 and 7 right in front of them. Honey B. isn’t one to be left out, so we created a cleaning station for her that, unlike the tool sets that the humans use, was durable and safe enough to be given as enrichment. The kit consisted of a sandbox filled with soapy water, various brushes, and a couple of towels. We are aware that Honey B. has an affinity for cleaning, so this setup is far from novel. Still, it kept her busy while we completed the daily chores.
Honey B. seemed to have a blast, although Willy B. and Mave were mostly indifferent. Mave preferred to lounge in the corner with a plastic toy and Willy B kept trying to see his reflection in the camera lens. These three chimps are a great example of how the efficacy of enrichment items varies among chimpanzees, especially those with different backgrounds and personalities.
