Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
Missy got Jody to play with her on the hill today.
After chasing each other and wrestling for a bit, they casually walked up to the tall bamboo grove.
While I was snapping some photos of Jody, Missy suddenly climbed one of the bamboo culms. By the time I could turn the camera on her, she had ridden it back down to the ground. She really seemed to enjoy letting it go and watching it snap back into form.
The chimps have gotten a few visits from old friends lately. Founder Keith LaChappelle was here last week for Sippin’ for the Seven. The chimps are always so excited when Keith comes to visit, especially his pal Burrito! But this time, Negra was especially affectionate:
And today, former volunteer caregiver Kim visited. The chimps were so excited to see her! While we were cleaning the Greenhouse, she got to spend some quality time with Jamie and Foxie through the chimp-proof glass window.
I don’t know very many chimpanzees that will laugh when playing all by themselves.
The weather is getting warmer in Cle Elum and the chimps are starting to spend more and more time out on the hill. Over the winter, the chimps spent most of their time outside running around, playing, and exploring. But with the warmer weather, they are starting to relax a bit more.
Jamie sitting on the end of a climbing structure beam:
Missy:
Missy can only sit still for so long, however. Jackie took this photo of Missy playfully grabbing Annie’s foot:
Foxie is excellent at distracting people from what they are doing. She chooses the moment we’re getting ready to lock up the chimp area at night to drop her troll doll outside of the caging and then beg for us to give it back to her. And then, she just can’t seem to catch it when we toss it back to her (even though she is a fantastic catcher). Today, she was all about distracting both me (from cleaning) and Jamie (from nesting).
Mornings at the chimp house are pretty predictable. Burrito likes to start out the day with a long and loud display. Jody likes to camp out by the window to the kitchen so she can watch the caregivers prepare the morning smoothie. And Negra stays in her bed, under the covers, as long as she can without missing breakfast.
Missy and Annie, on the other hand, like to begin the day by playing.
I’ve been referring to the weather we’re having in Cle Elum as bi-polar. One minute it’s sunny and the next minute there’s a blizzard. Yesterday we caught an unexpected break – the forecast called for snow flurries, but it was a pretty mild day. As you saw from the video yesterday, Missy took full advantage of the spring-like weather and was, well… spring-like.
In addition to all of that video, J.B. also managed to get some photos of Missy and Annie playing on the hill. I probably don’t need to say this, but it is still such an amazing thrill for us at the sanctuary to watch the chimps on the hill. Each time they go out, they seem even more relaxed. Playing is now a regular occurrence, but it’s still all so new and exciting. Watching Missy with a play face wrestle with Annie makes me indescribably happy.
Missy looks like she’s going to do a pro-wrestling move on Annie:
Annie returns with a play bite to Missy’s brow ridge:
Annie tries to give Missy the slip:
Missy grabs Annie’s fingertips:
Later, Missy was sitting by herself behind a post on the hill:
Here’s a close-up of the photo above. That’s a happy chimp face:
