Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Sanctuary

We all need some sunshine!

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Like Diana said in her blog post yesterday, the chimpanzees are really enjoying the warmer weather! It’s in the 40’s today, but with the sun it feels so nice outside! They spent a lot of time out on Young’s Hill soaking up the sun. Get ready for an assortment of Jamie enjoying the sun.

Foxie on her way to the top of Negra’s cabin. She didn’t forget to bring her doll with her!

Shortly after Foxie made it to the top she was joined by Missy.

And then Burrito. Foxie and Burrito watched Missy walk across the firehose to the other platform.

Annie was enjoying some sun on the other platform.

Jamie, Annie, and Burrito trying to spy on the neighbors.

Burrito coming back inside.

Foxie before breakfast this morning.

On the other side of the building the chimpanzees spent time in their warm Greenhouses up high. I was only able to get a couple photos of them today.

Terry after breakfast.

Cy spent some of his afternoon flipping through magazines. In case you haven’t see our Amazon Wish List yet, you can visit it here. There’s lots of goodies for the chimpanzees including some magazines for Cy 🙂

Lucky Calls the Shots

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It is important to be flexible during the introduction process. For example, it has been a while since Cy and Willy B had some one on one time with each other. They have been dying to get some alone time together, but it isn’t always up to the shifting person. Some days you get a Gordo who just waltz into a room, not quite realizing what he might have signed himself up for, but I mean it’s Gordo so you have take the opportunity! Or like today you get a Lucky who simply won’t leave the front rooms. My goal as lead today was to get a “bro date” set up for them. I had it almost all set up, Willy B was alone in the Mezzanine, but I need to get Cy alone in the front rooms. Atlas, with all my best efforts I did not win the shifting battle! There is nothing wrong with Lucky not leaving, it just means a change in plans. So we went up to the Mezzanine to see if anyone would join Willy B for a quad! Honey B politely obliged! We have done this quad before, but it is important to build strong relationships, so repeats of the same intros are just fine! Make sure your volume is on for the video. There is a lot of grooming noises or what we like to call “teeth clacking”!

Hoarfrost

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It’s been a snowy, cold, gloomy January. It’s hard to believe that we had clear weather and bare ground at this time last year (see: Winterspring).

While I love the unpredictable moodiness of Northwest winters, the sporadic windows of sunny weather are welcome reassurances that the valley will eventually see pleasant days again. Last Monday, the sanctuary was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the clear blue beyond for a few minutes, drenching the frozen tundra in warm sunshine.

At the time, the entire sanctuary had been coated with hoarfrost for several days. These feathery deposits of ice are created when fog freezes on cold surfaces, thereby giving them a “hairy” appearance. The phenomenon looks absolutely amazing when illuminated by sunlight and outlined by turquoise skies, and the property’s numerous Ponderosa pines are particularly stunning when adorned with the frosty spikes.

I don’t know if the chimps appreciated the hoarfrost as much as I did, but they definitely seemed to enjoy the sun’s rays. When I went to see what the chimps were up to that afternoon, I found most of them lounging on the elevated platforms in their respective greenhouse enclosures, grooming and snoozing the hours away. Only Dora was interested enough in my presence to shift her gaze, studying my camera and nodding approvingly before rolling back over for another nap.

A day of rest

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Today was a pretty laid-back day here at the chimp house. Although I worry about typing that before the day is over just in case I jink it! Winter is still in full swing and even though the sun was shining some today, it was bitter cold and a good day to rest. Jamie had the right idea and assembled the best nest that grew over the day!

Jamie in her nest after we finished cleaning the playroom.

Jamie’s nest with a few boot and blanket additions after lunch.

Here’s what some of the others were up to today.

Foxie was watching the neighbors.

Burrito looking as handsome as ever.

Mave with her cup.

Honey B and Mave grooming in the afternoon.

Lucky resting up high.

Rayne’s Coconut Party

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Rayne turned 32 today! We’re so grateful to Tobin, Monica, and Paulette for sponsoring this day in her honor. At breakfast we served mangoes, which are a rare treat around here since we can’t store or prepare them in the kitchen due to Annie’s allergy. They were a huge hit. Later, the playrooms and greenhouses were filled with Rayne’s favorite enrichment and a forage of fruit smoothie, bok choy, grape tomatoes, and young coconuts with bamboo straws.

This group is notoriously difficult to photograph, as they prefer to stick to the upper levels of their playroom and greenhouse enclosures, but we managed to catch a tiny bit of the action. Here’s the birthday girl:

Cy:

Gordo:

Terry (that coconut really sticks in your teeth!):

 

Dora, who after having her first sip of coconut, had to tell me and the group next door all about it:

As the party wound down, Rayne gathered some smoothie and coconut, went up to the highest nest platform in the playroom (her favorite spot), and made a nice nest.

Happy Birthday, Rayne!

Sounds of Sanctuary. LOUD Edition

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Just like humans, chimpanzees have a variety of decibels in which they vocalize, though when they are loud, they are LOUD.