Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Five Years of the Lucky 6!

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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

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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.

The Gatorade Heist

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Today was one of those rare quiet and peaceful days where the chimps were all busy doing their own thing. However, I was able to snag a few photos!

Annie ever-so slyly got Negra’s Gatorade bucket that she didn’t finish. Miraculously, Jamie didn’t even get mad once she realized Annie had it. But Burrito and Foxie intensely supervised Annie drinking the bucket of Gatorade. Annie also declined the opportunity to offer or share any.

Missy quickly came to Negra’s side to groom her while nesting.

And Dora had an especially nice morning eating her apples!

Negra enjoying some wild roses and chives on a breezy afternoon.

 

 

Grooming in the Greenhouse

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Of the many reasons why chimpanzees engage in social grooming (also known as “allogrooming”), hygiene is thought to be one of the least important. Grooming appears to be much more about strengthening bonds, lowering stress levels, and gaining favors. But evidence suggests that hygiene still plays an important role, as chimps often concentrate on parts of the body that are less accessible to their grooming partners. Because of this, there generally aren’t any parts of the body that are off limits, including noses and backsides.

Look How Far We’ve Come

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It’s my favorite time of year. When the grass is green and so tall you can barely see the chimps! As I went to take pictures of Jamie’s side of the building this morning, I looked over to the Bray and saw all of Honey B’s group outside on the Bray.

It made me reflect on how far their group has come. Nowadays, Mave spends a lot of her time out on the Bray. I remember a time when she was too afraid to go out. I love watching her and Honey B become so comfortable outside it’s now a preference for them. Sometimes even holding out from shifting so that they can keep it longer.

To me, it is a reflection of what sanctuary offers: providing choice and consistency for them. So that one day things like going outside, something that should have always be accessible to them in their prior life, are now always given, with the hope that one day it will not be so scary. But also recognizing that we have to meet the chimps where they are. Some may never go outside because of the fear, but the choice will always be there for them.

Today, when I looked out to the Bray to see Honey B, Willy B, and Mave all outside at the same time, I just felt really proud of them, for how far they have come.

Mave:

Honey B:

Willy B: