Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

rescue

Little Benny’s Big Debut

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Diana and I recently adopted a dog named Benny and he came to live with us, along with our dog Abbey and our cat Loulou, at the sanctuary. As soon as he was acclimated to his new home and family, we brought him to meet the rowdy neighbors up the driveway. Not all of the chimps like dogs, particularly when the dogs are loud and reactive, so we have been careful not to bring some our dogs around too often in the past. But Jamie seemed to understand that Benny is harmless and would even make a good moderate-pace running partner. Now we just have to find some tiny cowboy boots for dogs!

By the way…and I mention this not just because Bob Barker, through his charitable foundation, is a supporter of CSNW…but the more observant among you might wonder why Benny isn’t neutered. He just needed to recover from an illness before it could be scheduled.

Queen of Brussels (Sprouts)

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Please enjoy these photos of Queen Negra obtaining Brussels Sprouts on a gorgeous fall day.

She got in some calisthenics during the forage.

Bonus: Jamie and red peppers in the tall grass

All To Herself

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The chimps were raring to go this morning. You could see it on Missy’s face.

They set off up the hill. Notably absent was the group’s leader, who was momentarily distracted.

No matter. Jody would lead the way.

Missy was close behind.

Annie, Burrito, and Foxie brought up the rear.

A few minutes into the walk, Jamie caught up to the group. The gang was all together now, with Negra selflessly staying behind as usual to keep the nests warm.

But one member of the group would not finish the patrol with the others. On morning walks, Foxie often slips away unnoticed to enjoy the quiet solitude of the towers at the top of the hill.

For while she enjoys the camaraderie of a patrol, she seems to relish those brief moments when she has the world all to herself.

Leadership

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Jamie has always held a dominant position in her group but she’s generally not what one would consider a leader. Leaders don’t scream and throw fits when they don’t get their way or harbor grudges for days only to attack without provocation (see: Missing Toe, Jody). Jamie’s drive to be on top is fueled by a deep insecurity and the mantle of leader never quite fits.

Until she steps out onto the hill.

Once she crosses the threshold of the raceway, she emerges as someone else entirely. She supports her friends when they are scared or anxious. She bears the burden, often single-handedly, or protecting her home and family. It’s a version of Jamie almost unseen within the confines of the greenhouse and playroom walls, where petty squabbles for food puzzles and attention from humans dominate.

So many examples of leadership in our own species are born from moments or situations that are larger than ourselves. Perhaps it is just as true for Jamie. Outside, there are cows to supervise, snakes to kill, and boundaries to patrol. There’s a vast and constantly changing horizon. The world is bigger out there and it requires cooperation and teamwork to manage. And a team needs a leader.

Once the outside world is sufficiently conquered, however, she calls dibs on all the raisin boards. Touch one and she will scream.

Snippets

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Here are a few moments that I captured on my phone throughout the past week.

People often ask if it’s difficult to care for chimpanzees without being able to touch them outside of the very limited contact we have through the mesh. Perhaps it’s a function of the institutional cultures in which we were trained, but it’s not something I really think about. Nor do I care much about it when it does cross my mind. They have their world, we have ours, and there are clearly-defined, logical rules for the areas where those two worlds meet for the sake of everyone’s safety. The way we interact with the chimps in our care becomes natural and comfortable for both them and us, and pushing those boundaries does nothing but put our own desires above their best interests.

That being said, there’s not a person on earth that’s seen Mave in action and not wanted to be enveloped in her soft, fuzzy embrace.

So sue me.