Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Rayne

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?

Chapped Lip Weather

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Lately,  in Central Washington, it has been cold and windy, the perfect weather conditions for continuously dry, chapped lips. Unfortunately, most of the chimps suffer from the same affliction so caregiver Kelsi brought in a coconut oil lip balm to give them some relief!

Love for Rayne

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Rayne is next up in our Valentine’s series!

Rayne was born at Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP) on January 29th, 1990. Once the lab closed down she was sent to Wildlife Waystation. When Waystation closed in 2019, Rayne and her family moved to CSNW in 2021. These days she lives with her half siblings Lucky and Cy, along with a few others.

If you’ve spent any time around Rayne, you already know she’s the heart of her sanctuary family. She is that rare, grounding presence that makes everything feel a bit more whole. Rayne at CSNW isn’t just a blessing, she’s the friend everyone wishes for: steady, loyal and she has your back when you need her. When Cy is searching for some peace and quiet, Rayne is the one he often chooses to share that with, they will quietly look through magazines or work on enrichment together often. When she lived with Willy B and he was having a tough time resisting the urge to act out, she would respond with a calm patience most of us only wish we could muster. And there’s her frequent food trading ritual with Lucky, where they’ve worked out their own system for swapping food items that don’t want during meals.

Rayne enjoying a blissfully sunny day:

Taking in the view from her perch on the Bray:

Lucky and Rayne enjoying time together in the chilly weather:

Cy, Rayne, & Lucky hanging out together:

Rayne & Lucky looking down at their caregiver:

Cy & Rayne enjoying some quiet time together:

George and Rayne didn’t hit it off right away. Their first meetings were rocky—full of awkward moments and the occasional misunderstanding. But these days, they’ve found their rhythm. Most of the time, you’ll catch them racing each other around in a game of chase. If misunderstandings happen between George and someone else in the group, Rayne doesn’t automatically take sides. She steps back, assesses the situation, and sometimes, instead of jumping in with the others, she’ll offer reassurance George or simply stay out of it altogether.

Rayne currently has 9 chimpanzee pals who donate to her care but if you also want to donate to Rayne to keep her fully stocked up on her beloved sheets and make for more blissful days in the sun you can become her pal too! Become Rayne’s Pal here!

 

A Bunch of Lousy Photos

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I recently noticed that I have over 8000 pictures and videos saved in my phone.  Many of them are blurry, or photos I just don’t need to keep for one reason or another.  So I started deleting the ones I don’t want to save.  And I came across so many photos of my chimpanzee friends, not always the greatest photos, but special nonetheless.  So I thought I’d share them with you!  These photos go back about a year.  It’s interesting to see who I have pictures of, and who I don’t.

(If you’re wondering how it’s possible that I don’t have any pictures of my good friend Burrito, stay tuned, I’m saving his photos for my next blog!  There are SO many!)

 

 

George in the chute on a lovely summer afternoon.

George lying in the front rooms shortly after he arrived last May.

George enjoying time in the chute.

Sweet Foxie in the Greenhouse.

One of the many fawns that call the Sanctuary grounds home.

The first bunny I’ve seen around the Sanctuary.

Gordo having a snack and chilling in the Greenhouse.

Gordo with one of his favorite things…a box!

Jamie watching the comings and goings of the Sanctuary.

Jamie all wrapped up and enjoying the warm Greenhouse.

Marmots!!

Mave taking a break and contemplating her life.

More contemplation.

Neggie peeking out from under her blankets.

The first rattle snake of the year, last spring.  Just a wee baby!

Rayne & Cy getting to know George through the intro process.

Good friends Rayne and Lucky enjoying some fresh air on a fall morning.

Rayne and Lucky looking down on me from the Greenhouse.

Terry doing some thinking.

Krissy (me), practicing PRT with Terry while Rayne looks on.

Snapshots of a Winter Day

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Today was a beautiful winter day. The chimps spent most of their time exploring outside and lounging in the warm greenhouses. We’ll let the photos do most of the talking!

Negra was the first out this morning:

Annie:

Foxie took one of her dolls out for a stroll:

A little traffic jam this morning with Foxie and Burrito:

While Annie and Burrito decided to commute together:

Dora drinking some Gatorade out of a bowl in the cozy greenhouse:

Lucky enjoying the warmth of the greenhouse:

Gordo grooming his foot:

Gordo laying down in the greenhouse:

Later, as he was laying Rayne came up and started grooming him:

And a side profile of sweet Cy, we played a slow game of chase in the greenhouse: