Caring for a chimp like Negra, who has serious mobility challenges but still spends time with her group, can be a delicate balancing act. We still want to provide her group mates with the chance to forage outside, but that requires that we serve Negra a special lunch, which can upset the other chimps’ sense of fairness or lead to a temptation to steal from her. We’re fortunate that Negra is high-ranking, but sometimes the other chimps are bold enough to test their luck. No one is taking advantage of Negra on Missy’s watch, though…
Sanctuary
Willy B’s Creative Play!
Willy B is always coming up with new ways to entertain himself. Whether it’s a slinky, a table to rattle, a tub to drag and shake, or bouncy balls to throw, Willy B will find a way to amuse himself! Willy B’s latest obsession is the bouncy balls. They are pure chaos, they bouncy erratically and can make a lot of noise if thrown correctly. As you will see in the video, the other day we observed Willy B putting the ball in a box and then biting that box, shaking it around so the ball is bouncing all around like a pinball around his head! Willy B lives in a certain level of chaos, so of course, that is how he would play!
The Case of the Not-So-Mysterious Footprints
Ringleader Betsy has Houdini’d her way out of her pastures a couple times over the years, though it seems this time we may have just left the gate incompletely latched. In any case, the grass is always greener on the other side, as they say, so the gang took the liberty of exploring some of the sanctuary’s 113 acres. Thankfully, they were happy to go back home without needing to be bribed…too much.
Silly!
Sometimes the chimps can be silly – very silly! But, who do you think is the silliest chimp of all?
The Humans Are Alright
For safety reasons, we humans are never inside the enclosures with the chimpanzees, but that doesn’t stop the chimps from considering us part of their social world. A typical day is filled with dozens of delightful interruptions, including requests to walk, play, and groom. Of course, we are happy to oblige (though some days—like today— it can be difficult to get anything done!).
Five Years of the Lucky 6!
Today marks 5 years since the Lucky 6 arrived at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Can you believe it? Personally, I can’t imagine this sanctuary without them. One of the biggest joys of working for a sanctuary is watching the chimps flourish in it. From watching Rayne walk out onto the Bray for the first time, like she had done it every day of her life to small things like learning unique traits about each and everyone of them, like Cy finding a love for People magazine or Gordo’s love for boxes & being poked playfully with a spoon by his caregivers. Terry’s gorilla chest thumps to intimidate Jamie’s group, but in reality Terry is gentle by nature and kind-hearted. Dora has a very quiet demeanor, but if you watch closely she can be a social butterfly within her close friends. And for Lucky a friendship is not always given freely, but if you earning it, you have a friend for life.
I think I can speak for everyone at the sanctuary when I say it has been an honor and a privilege to know each and everyone of them.
Family Time in the Greenhouse
Today, Negra had a nice, quiet lunch by herself in the greenhouse. Afterwards, her family came to spend the afternoon with her.
It was a hot afternoon, but pleasant under the diffuse light of the greenhouse. While Annie and Missy groomed Negra, Foxie played with one of her dolls, pausing at times to pass it to her caregivers.
Jamie has been a good sport about these afternoons with Negra. We are trying to navigate the risks of Negra falling or being injured in a fight by restricting these whole-group visits to the greenhouse and Young’s Hill and to times between meals. As many of you know, Jamie doesn’t like having any limitations placed upon her. This is a face that says I am approaching the limits of my patience.
I found it difficult to take photos of Missy and Annie grooming because Missy kept leaving Annie and putting her back against the caging for me to groom. There’s something about the upper level in the greenhouse that elicits more socialization between the chimps and their caregivers. Because the wall panels are only off in the warmer months, these daily invitations from Missy to groom are essentially seasonal. I was happy to oblige, as long as Annie was still included.
Missy is the kind of chimp that grooms up the hierarchy. I see her directing her grooming toward Jamie, Negra, and Burrito most often. When she is being groomed by Annie, she sometimes reciprocates, but she also tends to focus more on herself. Here she is using a wood chip as a grooming tool.
The chimps have different levels of tolerance for having their photos taken. Burrito and Foxie will do their best to knock the phone out of my hand, while Missy will let me hold the phone in her face for hours on end without complaint.
She showed the same level of tolerance for me today, but interestingly, that tolerance did not extend to me taking photos near Negra. The chimps certainly know that Negra is in a more fragile state and Missy, being protective, responded with a threat bark the first time I pulled my phone out next to Negra. It’s nice to know Negra has so many friends looking out for her.
