Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Sanctuary

Jody wadging a cattail

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This video (above) reminded me of someone eating a corn dog at a ball game, though I don’t really go to ball games and I have no idea if they still have corn dogs.

In any case, Jody definitely was enjoying her cattail wadge while keeping an eye on the neighbors today.

For more on wadging, check out this blog post from Anna from a few years ago or this one, also from Anna, with some photos of Jody wadging pineapple skin.

Today is the first day of sending out the blog to both the old and the new lists of subscribers. If you are new to the blog, welcome!!

If you signed up to the new list the other day, you should be receiving notice of this blog post from both WordPress and Salsa. Check your spam folders just in case!

Note: if you have previously unsubscribed from our e-newsletter or other communications, you may not receive the email. Get in contact with me if you have any questions or issues: [email protected]

I’ll be troubleshooting this week, so you might not receive blog posts through Salsa (the new way) everyday, but my goal is to have it all worked out by the end of the week.

If you haven’t yet signed up to the new subscription, you should be able to do that on either the right side or below this page (scroll down).

Happy Saturday, everyone!

 

Light Reading

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Cy’s reaction to magazines still catches me off guard. Is someone food squeaking? Alarm barking? Oh, it’s just Cy looking at magazines again. We’re going to need a name for that vocalization.

Willy B continues to be the center of attention at the sanctuary. When he goes into the courtyard, the Seven hoot and holler, which causes the Lucky Six to respond, which in turn causes Willy B, Honey B, and Mave to call back. And around it goes. Eventually they all settle down. But it’s quite the soap opera.

Speaking of soap operas, that little Dora continues to look for Willy B wherever he goes.

Once and a while they meet across the hallway…

While I was on my perimeter check this morning I came across Meredith grooming her buddy Nutmeg.

Then Betsy came over to groom me.

World Chimpanzee Day 2021!

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If we look straight and deep into a chimpanzee’s eyes, an intelligent self-assured personality looks back at us. If they are animals, what must we be?”

-Frans de Waal

Honey B

Today is World Chimpanzee Day!

Several organizations within the sanctuary, zoo, education, and conservation worlds came together to create a day to honor our closest living relatives and to use the day to spread awareness of issues they face both in the wild and captivity.

July 14th was chosen as the honorary day because it was on this day in 1960, Jane Goodall first stepped foot in Tanzania to study chimpanzees. Though she had received backlash at first, her discoveries forced researchers to look at chimpanzees differently, and not just as another animal. From then, we have begun to truly see just how close of a living relative we are.

There are many things you can do to be an advocate for chimpanzees. You can donate to your favorite conservation organization, share your favorite sanctuary on social media, talk about your favorite chimpanzee to family, discuss what is a good social media post is and what is bad to friends, and the list goes on! To find out more about World Chimpanzee Day and how you can help, please check out World Chimpanzee Day!

We are truly honored as caregivers to know the 16 chimpanzees who call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest home!

Burrito after one of our runs around Young’s Hill yesterday! (Did I actually tire him out? No. He immediately shot right back up after he saw me take this photo.)
Rayne watching a train pass by earlier this week!
Queen Negra!
Willy B getting lost in the grass finding some nuts in the Courtyard! He still hasn’t quite gotten used to the grass, though he will venture on it in short spurts.
Jamie adoring a raspberry branch she found in today’s browse!
Jody also enjoying a raspberry branch she found!
Cy soaking in some sun on the log in one of the new greenhouses!
Gordo enjoying his sugar snap peas during lunch this past Monday!
Mave! Is more of a caption needed?
Foxie, followed by Jody, Missy, Annie, and Jamie during today’s morning patrol around Young’s Hill.
Foxie, again!
Lucky in a box!
Terry!
Dora!
Honey B and Mave grooming in the outdoor chute!
Annie venturing out onto Young’s Hill!
Missy during dinner today!

Thank you all to our followers and supporters for always supporting, advocating, and honoring these magnificent individuals!

Zero Kernels Given

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Lunch is known to be a more relaxing meal to serve. Breakfast is always exciting because it’s fruit, everyone loves fruit! Dinner is the last meal served before the end of the day and night bags are always on the mind! Today’s lunch was eventful for all three groups of chimps. It seemed Dora and Annie were yelling towards each other and everyone had something to say about it, well everyone but Negra. Negra couldn’t have cared less. The interactions weren’t bad, just loud. But Negra’s only concern was eating lunch.

I thought I might share this photo of sweet little Honey B.

Here’s Luckin’ At You, Kid.

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The “Lucky Six” chimpanzees just arrived a few weeks ago, but they already feel like part of the sanctuary’s family.

Within this charismatic group, Lucky stands out for being vigilant, independent, and strong-willed. Although she is a female chimpanzee, Lucky shares many physical traits with her brother, Cy: a dark face, intense stare, and bulky frame.

So far, she has generally maintained a serious demeanor with the humans and often observes us from afar. Even so, she occasionally “breaks character” to playfully present her belly, inquisitively examine our footwear, and demand cool drinks from the cleaning hose.

Given that Lucky likes to monitor her surroundings, it’s not surprising that she has taken to the upper levels of the multi-tiered greenhouse enclosures. Diana wrote Saturday’s blog post about these innovative spaces and how they give the chimps many opportunities to be comfortable and entertained. The blog entry also included the following photo of Lucky peeking through the upper caging.

It’s a familiar look for Lucky. From that secure and elevated vantage, she can look down on the human staff as we go about our chores, waiting for the right time to swoop down and let loose. In just a couple of weeks, I’ve already taken several photographs of her staring down at me from the platforms above.

Happenings of the Day

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When I was opening up the chimp house this morning I found Negra still resting in the Greenhouse. She knows how to make a comfy looking nest!

Annie exploring Young’s Hill in the morning.

Missy close behind Annie.

Jody watching the others on the hill.

After her walk around Young’s Hill Missy was eating breakfast with style.

Foxie cooling off in the front rooms.

After lunch Missy went around and picked up all of the leftover cucumber pieces.

I was attempting to get get some photos in the afternoon and Burrito just wanted to play. So I stopped taking photos to get a little workout in.

It is very hard to catch this guy being still! He was resting after many play sessions with Chad. It didn’t last for long! By the time I was uploading this photo he was ready to play again.

 

Honey B was making such a good nest of blankets, troll dolls, her scooter, and some scarves that I was trying to get a photo of it. I got the Honey B stare instead 🙂

I worked with The Lucky Six a couple of times last week and here are some of the photos I was able to get. I am really enjoying getting to see their personalities more as the continue to open up with us! I didn’t work with them today, but as I was performing safety checks Terry was in my line of vision from a distance ready to play!

Gordo right before a game of chase started.

Dora and her sweet face.

Cy is definitely going to steal some hearts around here!