Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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security footage

Rayne Joins the Men

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J.B. explained our reintroduction experiment last week, and I thought I would do a follow up today since we moved on to the next step.

As a duo over the last week, Cy and Willy B did not interact a whole lot, which is not shocking since they are both somewhat aloof. What we were waiting for was a day when they did three things: played, groomed for at least ten minutes, and used a new social enrichment puzzle.

Throughout the week, we were monitoring pretty closely, often using the security cameras, for signs of who took the lead. It was clearly Cy, with Willy B deferring to him throughout the week. It has been a lot quieter this past week without Willy B getting everyone going in the afternoons. It’s possible he will still be inclined to do this as the group gets bigger. He did make some attempts throughout the week, but because he was separated from the larger group, they did not have the same level of anxiety or feel the need to respond in the same way that intensified the situation and ended up in conflict.

This morning, I watched on the cameras as Willy B displayed toward the other group, and then I watched as Cy took over the display, with Willy B retreating. This seemed to serve to remind everyone that he outranks Willy B. It’s nice to see Cy express confidence in this way, and we hope he keeps it up as we add more chimps.

Rayne is the second chimpanzee to add because she is the highest ranking female in the group and therefore supports Cy in his leadership role. She also has been able to develop a positive relationship with Willy B and generally isn’t as intimidated by him as some of the lower ranking females in the group. So, the idea is that Willy B will continue to develop his relationships with Cy and Rayne and understand, without having the back-up of Mave and Honey B, that he is definitely subordinate to Cy, and, in fact, that’s really the best place for him and for the group.

Speaking of… we have created some fun groups for the friendship bracelets that we have in the Comfort and Joy online auction! These bracelets were made by two young ladies – Holly and Juliet – who came along with their parents on a vacation to Cle Elum while their veterinarian mom, Dr. Kathleen Olson, filled in for Dr. Erin while Erin was away a few weeks ago. They (the bracelets and the whole Olson family) are so sweet! Check them out, and be sure to check the auction every day, as we’ll be adding more items!

When I was closing up, I spied Honey B who had tucked herself into her nest, the epitome of comfort:

 

CSNW Candid Camera

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Before we begin the blog, let’s play a game!

Can you spot the fierce predator stalking this herd of deer?

Answer will be at the end!

Now onto the blog!

As much as we try and would love to be everywhere to capture the chimpanzees throughout the day, we can’t. It really is unfortunate because outside of what gets published in the blog, there are hundreds of moments during the day that are amazing. Though we can’t be there to get photos or footage, every now and again we are lucky enough to glance over to the security cameras and see what some of their day consists of.

Here are some bonus photos from today!

Rayne seemingly really enjoying her mountain rose apples at breakfast

Really she was just caught mid-blink

Negra went out onto Young’s Hill this morning to check out the new climbing structures J.B. and Jake are building

On her way back inside, she ran into a potential snack. Literally!

But alas the young pine was not willing to be uprooted for her

Gambit Gordo

Missy and Annie enjoying the morning on Young’s Hill

Burrito and Jamie returning from a patrol

Terry showing and grooming his own foot

And this guy!

Burrito was on top of a bench playing with a giant stuffed toy goose, and would occasionally look down

Were you able to find the fierce hunter earlier?

It’s Barn Kitty!

Barn Kitty (aka BK) is such a fierce individual. He doesn’t seem to be intimidated by size. I once watched him hide behind some tall grass and stalk J.B. as he was driving the tractor up hill. If he had the chance, I 100% believe he was weighing his options of pouncing; tractor or no tractor!

Conflict on the Bray: the Day Everyone Went Outside

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We’ve been talking about it for a few days now – the conflict that led Mave, Dora, and Honey B to go onto the Bray habitat.

So, here’s your birds-eye view of most of the excitement! This is a video best suited for a bigger screen like your computer monitor or television.

I saw the middle to the end of the conflict in person. It was quite loud. It’s quite nice to be able to watch it without sound.

Even while I was watching in person, I had this thought that both groups seemed more similar to free-living chimpanzees than I had ever witnessed before. It was scary, to be honest, because we didn’t know what was going to happen, but the maneuvering was also fascinating.

Maybe, just maybe, it will help some of the chimps explore more, like it seems to have with Lucky!

A Little Bit of Mischief

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Sometimes a little bit of mischief is a good thing. If you are wondering which human left the contraband in Honey B’s greenhouse, look no further than the author of this blog post.

If you’d like to talk to me in person about this mistake or the many other mistakes I’ve made over the years at the sanctuary, or if you are perhaps looking to get into a little bit of mischief yourself, I invite you to join me at HOOT! in one month! You will learn so much more about the chimpanzees and bovines, and you’ll meet some terrific people, all the while eating great food and celebrating the sanctuary. We want you there! Get your tickets (in person or virtual) today!

Sleeping Arrangements

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J.B. and I have been monitoring the chimps on the security cameras since the integration. We’re not watching them all the time, but we have a couple of iPads on after hours so we can take a look if we hear anything. It’s been interesting to see the changes in where the chimpanzees bed down for the night.

Initially, after the first few months of the integration, Honey B, Mave, and Willy B would sleep together in the front room area with the other group of six scattered about. At some point, this changed. I can’t say for sure, but I believe it was Mave who made the first integration move, choosing to make a nest in the catwalk of the Lupine Playroom near some of her new friends. From the other group, I saw Rayne on a couple of occasions nesting in the front rooms with Honey B, Willy B. and Mave or just Honey B and Willy B.

After a few months, I noticed that Willy B would start his nesting in the front rooms, but at some point in the night, he would make his way to the Mezzanine. Now, he disappears into the playrooms. This is all part of the integration process and one that is happening on their own timeline and based on nuances in their relationships and personalities that are a bit of a mystery.

Honey B has always liked the cubby in the mezzanine, and she is a woman of routine who knows what she likes. Given the happenings in the video I put together today, we’ll just see how things shake out.