Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

summer

Cow-uality Time

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Today’s blog post is all about the cows! Cow-uality (quality) time…get it?!

The sanctuary is home to our own small herd of cattle: Betsy, Meredith, and Honey. These ladies help to fire-wise the property by “mowing” the grass in their multiple pastures which they move around to throughout the year. Right now, they are in the upper pasture, which is my favorite of their pastures. The views are lovely both in the pasture itself, and on the way there and back from the Chimp House.

The view coming back to the Chimp House from the upper pasture.

Another (informal) sanctuary resident, one of many deer, who I saw on my way to care for the cattle.

Summer time with the cows, for me, means both quality time with the cows and some quiet time outside. It can be a nice break when things are more chaotic in the Chimp House to go spend time petting Betsy (the most people-oriented of the cows) while everyone eats their grain, then brushing them (which also serves as a way to apply fly spray), before returning to the Chimp House.

Betsy

Honey

Honey

Betsy

Betsy

Betsy

Meredith (L) and Honey (R)

Meredith

Meredith

 

Giant Chunk of Frozen Pureed Watermelon

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Pineapple juice pool, floating gatorade ice treats, and a giant chunk of frozen pureed watermelon.  A beautiful late spring, practically summer day.  All of your friends together in a spacious greenhouse, feeling the gentle breeze on your face, admiring the stunning view.

What a perfectly delightful afternoon!

At least it WAS perfect.  Until Rayne tried moving in on MY prized possession, that giant chunk of frozen pureed watermelon.

Sincerely,

Terry

Signs of Summer

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Summer has come early this year so we’ve been busy making sure everyone stays safe and comfortable. That means moving the cows to pastures with plenty of wooded areas for shade and ensuring our wildfire sprinkler system is ready for fire season. The chimps have gone into summer mode as well, taking full advantage of the outdoor habitats in the early mornings and finding shade or a quiet spot indoors to ride out the afternoon heat.

National Relaxation Day

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Today is National Relaxation Day! According to the Economic Times, National Relaxation Day is observed to “encourage individuals to slow down and unwind.” Though chimpanzee life can be very chaotic and dramatic, they all find some time throughout the day to let their hair down and relax. It’s all about balance, right?

In homage to National Relaxation Day, please enjoy some photos of the chimpanzees in relaxation mode!

Honey B taking a quick nap after her play session with Lucky.

Foxie taking a rest after breakfast.

Gordo taking a breather after returning from the Bray.

Burrito taking a break in his Greenhouse (though I am convinced he was playing because seconds later he had caregivers playing chase).

Dora enjoying the shaded part of the Chute.

And as you might have guessed, right next to her is Mave.

Willy B taking advantage of the large fan in the front room area on a hot day.

And of course, the Queen of Relaxation, Queen Negra.

We hope you are able to find some time to get your relaxation in today!

All Around the Raspberry Bush

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When caregivers are assigned to be the lead caregiver on a certain day, one of our first tasks is to “open up” the Chimp House. For me, this is one of the best times of day because it’s still early in the morning and some residents are still not fully awake. Case in point: Negra

To walk in the morning to see Negra still in bed, you kind of watch in real time what kind of mood she will be in that particular day. And yes. She has been in a really good mood today.

Since she was in a good mood upon awakening, and because today’s high temperature in Central Washington is 70º, it was a perfect day for a lunch forage on Young’s Hill. As of this typing (almost dinner time), they have been going on and off Young’s Hill looking for anything they may have missed. On today’s forage menu was: baby iceberg lettuce heads, prickly pears, and sweet potatoes.

Foxie

Burrito (and Foxie) enjoying some baby iceberg lettuce

Missy does the same

Negra: (Iceberg) Head Hunter

With everybody in high spirits, it was also a great day to set up a browse of raspberry branches! Jamie could not have been more content!

And just like the chimpanzees’ night bags, here is a final treat of bonus photos to end today’s blog!

Rayne fishing for cherry tomatoes yesterday

Gordo keeping an eye on the medical staff during a tour after Willy B’s procedure yesterday

And finally, this guy! If you look carefully, you can find an “Easter egg” within this photo

The Cattle Apple Saddle

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Please join Betsy, Honey, Meredith, and Nutmeg for lunch! During the colder months, we supplement the cattle’s diet with grass hay, oat hay, and alfalfa. During the warmer months, other than the cattle’s other supplements that we provide, caregivers generally allow the cattle to roam and graze on whatever their hearts desire. In this video, Nutmeg and Meredith are eating some apples from the apple tree in their pasture, Betsy is munching on some willow near the pond, and Honey was just getting done grazing on some grass.

Here are some bonus photos from today!

With the weather holding out with temperate conditions, Negra’s group had a nice lunch forage on Young’s Hill.

Negra

Burrito and Foxie

Foxie

Missy

Here are some Bonus-Bonus photos!

Burrito

Foxie taking it easy

Annie making her bird noises

And Jamie taking notes

Recently, we added Sprout Pencils to our Amazon Wish List as a new type of enrichment. These pencils have a capsule full of seeds where the eraser is supposed to be. When you are done with them, you can plant the pencil and different types of plants are supposed to grow. There are still some on the Wish List if you would like to help us stockpile some of them for the chimps!