Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Sanctuary

Bubba’s Bouncy Ball!

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Enriching chimpanzees is hard work. We have particular guidelines to ensure that the chimps will not consume something unsafe and that the item of enrichment cannot harm them. Sometimes, we think an enrichment item will be so perfect, only for it to arrive and realize it was made of a material the chimps can’t have. Caregiver Chad did a lot of research on the Jolly Ball that we wanted to give to Burrito on his birthday, but when it arrived it was leaning towards a little to soft of plastic to give to the chimps. However, this morning we were discussing how we knew he would love it soooo much! We decided that we could keep a close eye on the Jolly ball and that if it was destroyed we could remove it. When we showed Burrito his belated birthday present his eyes lit up! Once their group was invited back into their freshly cleaned Playroom, Burrito immediately grabbed it. He was beaming with joy. I think you will all be pleased to know that the ball is still alive and well!

This is a screen grab from the video. I know the quality of the photo might not be great, but it might be the best part of the whole video!

Caring for Meredith

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Meredith has always been a bit different from her herd mates — standing up when the others are lying down, facing east when the others are facing west, and so on — but this past summer we noticed that something other than her independent streak was causing her to lag behind her herd as they moved between pastures. By fall, a change in her gait became noticeable. Dr. Erin performed several evaluations, and Meredith even took a trip to the large animal hospital at Washington State University (WSU), but the veterinary team was unable to hone in on a specific diagnosis. Pain management and other therapeutics seemed to help, but not enough.

During her most recent exam at the sanctuary, however, Dr. Erin found radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in Meredith’s front right foot, which meant that we had an explanation for her discomfort and, potentially, something we could treat with greater focus. Dr. Erin consulted with several large animal veterinarians and Meredith was booked for another appointment at WSU.

Meredith, in the chute, undergoing a recent exam:

Dr. Erin obtaining radiographs of the feet and spine:

Amanda treating Meredith with laser therapy:

Another Dr. Erin (Erin Thorlakson, Family and Animal Chiropractor), evaluating Meredith, with Honey observing:

Nutmeg, Assistant to the Regional Chiropractor:

The treatment, known as facilitated ankylosis, would involve fusing the affected joints and would be performed by the veterinary staff at WSU. With everything arranged, we drove Meredith across the state again and the procedure was performed this past Tuesday.

Getting a cow to an appointment 3 1/2 hours away requires starting early, bribing the herd with hay and grain to sort them, and praying to the cow gods that Meredith will load into the trailer without problems:

One last safety check before we depart on our road trip:

Meredith on the exam/treatment table at WSU, surrounded by faculty veterinarians, residents, and vet students:

Dr. Oliverez performing an ultrasound on Meredith’s foot:

Right now we are making preparations so that Meredith can be on restricted activity for a while within her own cozy section of the barn. Weather permitting, we hope to pick her up on Wednesday and reunite her with her family. It will take some time before we can determine if or how well the procedure has worked, and she will likely have to make repeated trips to see her friends at WSU for follow-ups on this treatment and possibly treatments on other feet, but we are hopeful that she will be able to graze the upper pastures with her herd this spring.

Meredith’s home-away-from-home at WSU while she receives her treatment:

By the way, some of you may know that we’ve been hoping to acquire a more powerful portable ultrasound machine for many years now. Thanks to a a whole team of people, including a wonderful family in Montana, our favorite veterinary cardiologist Dr. Nelson, and supporters Brad and Becky (who generously donated the funds!), we were able to purchase a very lightly used machine from an estate at an amazing price.

Don’t forget to vote in the photo contest – it ends tonight, January 8th at 6:00pm Pacific!

 

7 years bad luck

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Let me begin this story by telling you that today is my birthday… This is not a plea for birthday wishes, but rather an ironic cherry on top of this latest chimp house caper… More on that later.

Today, Jamie and her group received a roll of paper. This is a standard enrichment item that they receive regularly. What wasn’t standard about today, was Jamie’s mischief she decided to create with the cardboard tube at the center of the roll of paper. Unbeknownst to her caregivers, Jamie spent her morning using the cardboard tube as a a tool to knock down a very breakable mirror that we have had mounted on the outside of the caging (for many years!). We use this mirror to spy into the loft of the playroom so we can see who’s up there from our vantage point on the ground. Today though, Jamie decided it had to go.

To truly tell this story, we had to watch Jamie’s antics back on our security camera footage. Unfortunately, the video quality wasn’t great so to really appreciate today’s blog, you’ll have to use some imagination. After finding her ready to use tool, Jamie spent about a half an hour working on Project: Destroy Mirror. She tried multiple angles and methods until she successfully sent the mirror crashing down to its demise.

After hearing the crash of something shattering into a million tiny pieces, I naturally responded to the incident with a broom and worked on making sure the glass pieces were safely out of chimpanzee reach… Only to be greeted by Jamie and a handful of feces flung at my head. How dare I move her sharp glass, she had worked so hard on that! Volunteer Dusty and I spent an extra hour diligently cleaning up my happy birthday mess, artfully gifted to me by my creative chimpanzee boss/overlord.

Thanks James.

Speaking of birthdays, Burrito’s big day is coming up.  As Kelsi announced yesterday, in celebration of Burrito’s 41st birthday we will be having a photo contest to have our followers pick their favorite photo(s) of Burrito, we will then be selling the photo with the most votes.  We will post the contest every day on the blog, so you can vote once per day and you are welcome to vote for more than one photo! The contest ends on January 8th at 6:00 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Burrito Photo Contest!

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Can you believe Burrito is about to turn 41 years young on January 6th? Sometimes I forget because it feels like his energy is never-ending. Every day we are so grateful for Burrito’s presence. He brings such a light to our lives with his easy-going, fun-loving personality. Life with Burrito is always full of laughter and joy. In celebration of Burrito’s 41st birthday we will be having a photo contest to have you all pick your favorite photo of Burrito, we will then be selling the photo with the most votes. I know we all want a photo of Burrito in our homes! We will post the contest every day on the blog, so you can vote once per day and you are welcome to vote for more than one photo! The contest ends on January 8th at 6:00 p.m. PT.

Bonus!

Not everything got delivered in time for Chimpmas. Jamie got to open her new boots today and was soooo happy! I mean look at them, who wouldn’t be:

She built a giant nest for her and her boots to nap in and seemed very content the rest of the day:

Burrito spying on the neighbors at lunch:

There were a few extra photos of Rayne and Cy from Saturday:

Don’t forget to vote!

Post Party Blues

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Today was pretty low key. The chimps seemed to be recovering from all the festivities, I think we can all relate to that! Please enjoy a few photos of the chimps having a nice lazy day.

Jamie on the barrel:

Jamie holding Foxie’s doll and her bonobo book:

Honey B eating Brussels Sprouts:

Lucky:

Rayne soooo sleepy in a nest:

Cy:

Gordo grooming Terry (Cy and Mave grooming in the background)

Gordo is so handsome:

Christmas 2023

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Our thanks, as always, to the dedicated volunteers who give up their own Christmas mornings to provide one for the chimps and to the staff that gladly work for an organization that never takes a holiday.

And Merry Christmas to all of our wonderful supporters! May you sleep soundly tonight atop your own mountain of gifts 🙂

Prep, Play, Party

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Well, folks, it’s official- there’s only one more sleep ’til Christmas (if you celebrate). 🙂

Caregivers and volunteers have been sorting through generous donations, wrapping up a storm, keeping up with daily chores, and planning for the celebration tomorrow! Thank you to everyone who has donated items off of our wish-lists, every single one is so appreciated!

While the humans have been shuffling about, the chimps have been up to their typical tomfoolery. The other day I was walking by the front rooms in Phase 1, or Cy’s group’s side of the building, and I caught some pretty funny sheet action. Mave and Dora seemed to be playing with someone and the someone was determined to stay under the sheet! Who could it have been? Check out the video for the answer!

And a big, big thank you to our Comfort & Joy Donor of the Day: Virginia K.

Your donation of a set of hugging pillows has brought so much joy to the chimps (and humans) here! After a caregiver or two gave them each a big hug we set them up for Jamie and her group to enjoy.

I’m also super excited to tell you all that it’s SNOWING right now! Nice, big, gentle flakes that aren’t sticking yet, but we’re supposed to get some more tomorrow maybe. Anyone else dreaming of a white Christmas? 🙂

With winter in full swing outside, I thought I’d share some photos from this past summer to remind us all that summer & sunshine will be here before we know it!

Foxie, looking beautiful and sassy:

Jamie, watching all:

Negra enjoying some corn and iceberg lettuce:

Sweet Annie, relaxing in a nest: