Today, while searching for blog topics,I found this short little video in my Desktop file. Coincidentally, it was from this day in 2017! I’m not sure if I’ve shared it before, so that also might make it a bonus, never before seen moment. Of course, I’ve been known to be wrong, so I leave it up to you to decide. Any avid followers out there recognize this little clip?
Sanctuary
Wanted: Gifts for Jamie
Many of you may remember this pretty fantastic video of an example of quintessential Jamie enrichment (taken last December):
Jamie loves a project to work on. She likes things she can investigate, take apart and reassemble just the way she wants. She likes things with pockets, compartments and zippers.
We love setting up these special little projects for her and and we could use your help designing more of them. Diana added this Folio to our Amazon wish list as an example of the something we would like to get her.
We also think she would like a used briefcase or messenger bag. If you want to help enrich The Boss, feel free to search your closet or local consignment store for these type of items.
One of the challenges we face when coming up with new enrichment for the chimps is determining if something is safe for them to actually have. Sure Jamie would LOVE to have a real cordless drill, but we also have to think of all the ramifications of her actually wielding such power.
Besides the obvious potential weapon and definite ruin of the building aspects of the drill, we have to consider things like batteries. After the chimps investigate their enrichment, they often try to break their new objects using any means possible. If Jamie did get her hands on a drill, we would never want to see one of the chimps get hurt from biting into a battery.
A long story short, we have a strict list of enrichment guidelines, so please check out this link before you decide to send Jamie a present. We are always happy to help guide your quest for the right item. Feel free to send me an email ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
If you choose to accept this mission, you can send her package to:
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
PO Box 952
Cle Elum, WA 98922
Happy searching!
Today is in Memory of Margaret Elizabeth Sharp
Sandra chose to sponsor today with this lovely message about her mother:
My beloved mother passed away last August, and in honor of what would have been her birthday, I send love to both the sanctuary and its precious residents. My mom was shy, endlessly loving, kind beyond measure, non-judgemental, vulnerable . . . I think she would very much recognize the chimps as kindred spirits and cheer on their resilience, autonomy, and place in this world.
Thank you so, so much for the message and for remembering your mother by supporting the sanctuary, Sandra!
A Dietary Staple
There’s one item that’s part of any self-respecting Pacific Northwest chimpanzee’s diet.
Happy Birthday, Sherry!
A lovely friend of the sanctuary, Sherry Berman, sponsored today with this special message:
“I finished the book, “The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary” and stumbled upon CSNW. I had 3 surgeries and was house bound for 1.5 years. Seeing the fab 7 daily was one of the highlights of my long days. It has been years now and I do not miss a day of following the 7, especially my lovie, Mr. B. So happy to be able to support the chimps and the humans that take care of them. So, I want to share my birthday with Annie, Missy, Foxie, Negra, Jody, Jamie and Burrito. Love to the chimps and the humans who care for them.”
Happy Birthday, Sherry! Thank you so much for sharing your joy with the chimpanzees, and us all! A beautiful full circle. All of us here are wishing you the most wonderful day of with all that you most love (in which case, Burrito probably hopes there is a lot of food involved). 🙂
Burrito:
The Good Life
There is something about watching all the chimps run out the raceway and onto Young’s Hill in the morning that just fills your heart with joy. I mean how could it not! It is nice to know they get to look forward to things in their life whether they are big or small.
Missy:
Negra:
Burrito is a little excited to be outside with everyone:
Foxie running down the Hill:
Jody (middle) and Burrito (back) catching up to Foxie (front):
Annie:
Jamie:
Burrito:
Cautiously Carefree
The chimpanzees still don’t do much lounging on Young’s Hill. They spend quiet moments outside, to be sure, but it’s rare to see any of them just fully relax like they do when they’re indoors. Even when we’ve put out blankets, we haven’t seen them really nest.
Perhaps because they spent decades living indoors in laboratories without access to big open spaces, the outdoors seem to require more vigilance. I guess I feel the same way, come to think of it.
This morning, I did catch Foxie lying down way up high on the structure donors named “Jamie’s Lookout”.
You might notice that she’s still holding onto the ladder.
Even with this tether to security, you can tell that she is happy because she’s rubbing her big toe and second toe together – a classic and unique sign of happiness for Foxie.
Missy noticed Foxie in repose, and came over with a big playface. Then ensued a very short tickle/wrestle game (so short I didn’t capture a decent photo).
Missy then spied on J.B. who was with the cattle on the other property,
took a moment to sit next to the now upright Foxie,
and resumed her position on the other side of the lookout.
Foxie did some careful inspecting of the structural integrity of the platform before making her way back down.
