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Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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territory

Keeping Watch

July 16, 2019 by Anthony

The weather has been unusual this summer. As Katelyn noted yesterday, the temperatures have been cool and the skies have been misty at times. Today is a better example of a typical July day in central Washington- dry, sunny, and warm- and the sanctuary residents are making the most of it. The chimps enjoyed their breakfast while basking in the sunlight on the upper decking of the Greenhouse. The meal included some generously donated green apples and was lovingly served by Level III volunteer Miranda (below).

Afterwards, the chimps seemed to be sufficiently full of fruit and chow and appeared to be extremely content as they slipped into mid-morning naps in various corners of the Greenhouse. Neggie, per usual, settled in a ring of blankets on the upper deck (below), and even Jamie seemed to doze off between bouts of monitoring the caregivers through the playroom window.

Annie sprawled out on the lower decking, tucked her feet in, and inspected the writing on the underside of a toy (below).

Per usual, Missy stationed herself next to Annie and used the opportunity to give herself a quick groom (below). All was quiet in the Greenhouse.

Even when they’re resting and recharging, however, the chimpanzees don’t miss any of the events unraveling around them. Each part of the facility offers a unique view of the surrounding valley, enabling the chimps to be the sentinels of their own territory. Everything the light touches is theirs, and everything that occurs within sight is their business. This morning, that included the team of laborers constructing a new access road that will soon flank the sanctuary to the East (below).

As soon as they started working, Missy took notice (below). Then Annie sat upright and began to follow along. Soon, everyone was spilling out of the raceway onto Young’s Hill to check out the action.

Jamie led the way up the hill, pausing at regular intervals to watch the distant excavation. I could only imagine what she was thinking, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if she was analyzing the grade of the switchbacks or making sure the workers were wearing the proper protective equipment. She’s always supervising.

Foxie and her tiny troll doll traveled in the vanguard, providing Jamie with support and monitoring the situation (below). Missy, Annie, Jody and Burrito all followed close behind. (Neggie “kept watch” over her nest in the Greenhouse.)

Even with all of the planned activities and provisioned objects that the staff and volunteers provide, unexpected events can be the best source of enrichment for the chimps. Both free-ranging and captive chimpanzees engage in regular boundary patrols to survey the landscape and monitor neighboring communities, so unexpected changes can make things interesting. With all of the new developments in their vicinity, the chimps have a lot to keep tabs on as summer progresses and they seem to welcome the responsibility.

Filed Under: Chimpanzee Behavior, Construction, Sanctuary, Young's Hill Tagged With: chimp enrichment, chimpanzee, chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, csnw, patrol, Sanctuary, territory, young's hill

Waiting for the boss

October 17, 2014 by J.B.

The chimps spent most of the morning inside due to the rain. When it finally let up, Missy ran straight for the far corner of the hill. Something was up.

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Jody followed after her but seemed nervous about getting too close.

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They both looked around for reassurance.

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Annie was perched safely on the bridge, and showed no interest in putting herself in danger.

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And Neither Foxie nor Burrito showed any willingness to come down from their platform to join the patrol.

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Finally, Missy spotted Jamie at the bottom of the hill and asked for her help with an outstretched arm.

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Jody’s hair was standing on end (also called “pilo erection”), showing her nervousness. She approached Missy for reassurance.

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Neither seemed to have the courage to get any closer.

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At one point, Missy got spooked and decided to bolt, leaving Jody all by herself.

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Lucky for her, help was on the way.

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With Jamie on the case, Missy decided to rejoin the group.

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They headed toward the top corner of Young’s Hill.

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As it turns out, the subject of their apprehension was a hawk that had been roosting on one of the fence posts. The chimps promptly scared it away.

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Jamie is so cool in moments like these. While Missy ran around frantically and Jody looked on helplessly, Jamie calmly strutted her way up the hill, totally confident in her ability to protect her home from invaders. I guess there’s a reason why she’s the boss.

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Filed Under: Chimpanzee Behavior, Jamie, Jody, Missy, Young's Hill Tagged With: chimpanzee, defend, hawk, northwest, patrol, rescue, Sanctuary, territorial, territory

On Patrol

June 20, 2014 by J.B.

Some people think that we should judge an animal’s quality of life by whether or not their basic needs are being met. Do they have food, water, heat, medical care, etc.? But if we applied these criteria to ourselves, prison wouldn’t be much of a deterrent – we’d all be knocking on the gate trying to get in. Obviously, we humans are willing to deal with some amount of risk and stress in life in exchange for things like freedom, autonomy, and self-determination. And I think that chimpanzees, if they were given the choice, would do the same.

Wild chimpanzees have jobs to do. They must take care of their young, travel great distances in search of food, and defend their territory from rival communities. Captivity gives chimps everything they need to survive, but robs them of purpose.

Well, not entirely. Every once and a while, we catch a glimpse of it here. When the chimps patrol Young’s Hill, they change – their faces, their postures, everything. It’s possible that I’m just projecting my own feelings here, but they seem so much more alive when they are at work like that.

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Life may be nasty, brutish, and short for some wild chimpanzees, but I’d give anything for these chimps to have had a chance at it.

 

Filed Under: Burrito, Chimpanzee Behavior, Jamie, Missy, Young's Hill Tagged With: chimpanzee, deer, defend, dogs, elk, northwest, patrol, rescue, Sanctuary, territory, troop

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Cle Elum, WA 98922
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509-699-0728
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