Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Sanctuary

Pop Quiz!

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I have a pop quiz for you all today! How well do you know your chimpanzee behaviors?

So, if you’re ready let’s get started!

1. What face do you think Foxie and Negra are making?

A. Fear Grimace
B. Play
C. Relaxed
D. Who knows!

2. What are Negra and Missing seeking in this photo?

A. Threat
B. Play
C. Reassurance
D. Beats me!

3. What Face is Negra making?

A. Play
B. Relaxed
C. Food peering
D. Fear Grimace

4. Why is Burrito Pilo?

A. What are you talking about, he always looks like that?
B. Burrito is excited or afraid from some kind of social excitement
C. Burrito is as cool as a cucumber
D. Burrito feels relaxed

The days are getting warmer…

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The chimpanzees were out and about early this morning, enjoying the cooler air and getting some foraging and exploration done before the day heated up. Negra was waiting at the door and led the group onto Young’s Hill before heading off into a shady spot on her own:

Jody made her way back to the greenhouse with a beautiful pine tree, goat’s beard dandelion bouquet:

Annie braved the tall, potentially snake-filled grass, picking dandelions to snack on along the way. Thankfully for Annie (and any snakes), it was a snake-free day:

Annie and Missy, besties:

It’s been a relaxing Sunday for everyone otherwise. As our weather inches closer to summertime temperatures the chimps have chosen to spend much of their day nesting in the cooler chimp house, grooming each other and generally lolling about trying to stay cool.

The chimps are all in their night nests and just let out nest grunts of goodnight with the exception of Jamie, who is in the greenhouse, anxious for the evening to cool off a bit so she can catch up on her walks for the day. So you know what that means…we’re donning cowboy boots for an evening stroll around the hill with the boss lady.

June is for Negra

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If you have the CSNW 2019 calendar, you get to look at this beautiful photo of Negra all month long:

You’ll also notice (or may already know) that we celebrate Negra’s honorary birthday on June 13th, the anniversary of the chimpanzees’ arrival to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

Negra remains the eldest of the group of seven chimpanzees. She dominated our thoughts as we were preparing the sanctuary for the group’s arrival. She had spent the most time in biomedical research and had suffered perhaps more than any of the other chimpanzees, showing the signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder upon her arrival.

We were excited to see all of the chimpanzees fully realize their new sanctuary life, but I for one could not stop thinking about being able to witness Negra experience all of the new comforts, choices, and space at the sanctuary. This video of her in the playroom for the first time captured what will forever be one of my most cherished moments.

The expression on her face today in this photo reminded me of the video:

Which of course led me to think of the most iconic image of Negra that we have: Negra in the Sun

This is the original photo I took in 2008:

Then artist Margaret H. Parkinson created this breathtaking painting based on the photo:

Margaret’s painting then inspired other artists, most recently mosaic artist Lisa Whatne.

Here is a close-up of Lisa’s truly stunning piece:

And guess what!? The Negra in the Sun mosaic is available for bidding in the HOOT! 2019 gala auction on June 15th! Even those who are not able to make it to the event can place an absentee bid on this mosaic as well as most of the other items in the auction! Absentee bidding begins Monday, June 10th at 8:00 a.m. See all items on the auction preview site now (items are still being added).

I can’t wait to find out who the lucky winner of the mosaic is going to be!

Happy Birthday, Carrie!

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Jenara Miller sponsored today for Carrie Miller in honor of her birthday!

Carrie and her family have been longtime friends of the chimpanzees and we are so grateful for all they help make possible for the chimpanzees!

Jenara, thank you for always thinking of the chimps when you think of Carrie and for celebrating her special day in this way. We so appreciate your compassionate and generous heart.

Carrie, we hope you have the best birthday yet! Many pant hoots for joy (and probably food) from your pal, Burrito!

Snacking and monitoring

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Jody is always keeping an eye on her Cle Elum 7 family. The other day she waited patiently for Negra to come back inside from Young’s Hill, all while snacking on several prickly (but apparently delicious) wild rose plants she had harvested.

For those wondering about Burrito today after yesterday’s visit to the new clinic, he is doing great. He’s still sleepy but seems to be enjoying the extra treats and alone time until he gets back to his full-rowdy self.

Burrito and the New Veterinary Clinic

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A while back we noticed that a black spot had developed on Burrito’s gums behind one of his upper incisors. He would let us examine the spot during positive reinforcement sessions, but because of its location we were never able to conclusively determine what it was. Unfortunately, that meant we had to get him into the clinic. This time, however, we would be using our brand new clinic in Phase 1 of the new expansion.

Any time a chimpanzee is anesthetized, we try to get as much information on their health as we can, so in addition to enlisting the help of our secondary veterinarians, Jen Wallace, DVM and Erika Nelson, DVM, Dr. Erin also invited some specialists.

Stephanie Moore, CRNA, managed Burrito’s anesthesia throughout the procedure.

Lynn Nelson, DVM, DACVIM came all the way from the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine to do Burrito’s cardiac and abdominal ultrasound. This was her second evaluation of Burrito’s heart.

Diane Carle, DVM, DAVDC and Sara Kessler, LVT from Animal Medical Center of Seattle and Jessica Reed, DVM from Seattle Humane came to take dental x-rays and to do a full dental evaluation and cleaning.

You’ll be glad to hear that everything went great! Dr. Erin removed a small foreign body from Burrito’s gums which should heal in no time. Burrito’s teeth look good and while we’ll have to wait for his full cardiac report, all signs were positive (for a guy of his condition and age, anyway).

The new clinic is larger and better equipped than our mobile unit, and being just steps from the chimps’ indoor enclosures, it is both easier and safer to transport the chimps back and forth.

When procedures are done, we put the chimps back into a recovery room with plenty of blankets to keep them safe and comfortable as the anesthesia wears off. Dr. Erin monitored his heart with a bluetooth stethoscope that records to a phone so that the data can be reviewed and shared.

Curious George kept Burrito company.

Our thanks go out again to everyone who donated to our Phase 1 expansion and to the amazing group of nurses, technicians, and veterinarians who have ensured that Burrito gets the best medical care possible.