Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Fall is the Best Season

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According to personal experience, the internet, the faculties of reason and good judgment, and nearly every facet of observable and measurable reality, fall is the best season—pumpkin spice notwithstanding. Sure, I enjoy the green shoots of spring, the long days of summer, and the fact that pushing snow around with a big tractor is considered part of my “work,” but let’s not kid ourselves: We should all want 68-degree days and colorful leaves forever. And I think the chimps will back me up on this, judging by how much time they’ve been spending outside lately (the cows, on the other hand, may place a bit more emphasis on those green shoots).

Speaking of cows, the girls came down the mountain yesterday so that they can sleep in their barn once again. The facilitated ankylosis treatments that Meredith underwent last winter and spring have proven to be worth it, as her crippling hobble has been downgraded to a slight limp and she’s been deemed fit for traversing steep slopes once again, when conditions allow. It’s amazing to see her run after so long, though I have to admit I was holding my breath and praying that those little ankles would continue to support our 3/4-ton girl downhill at stride.

I spent a wonderful 30 minutes this afternoon just watching Honey B explore the Bray. I’m trying to get her to follow me to the very top of the hill, but we’re not quite there yet. She seems to prefer going outside without her group mates and I hope that will change soon. There’s just so much for her to enjoy out there. And this is the best time of year to enjoy it.

 

August slipped away into a Moment in Time

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As August slips away from us we’ve already been feeling those cooler nights in Central Washington. A little preview of what’s to come next month I’m sure.  Summer’s not quite over yet though as we’ve still got some hot temps on the horizon for this labor day weekend. This weather is perfect for forages and outdoor exploration.

I got a couple of photos of Annie during today’s lunch forage. This timeless lady turns 50 in just a few short weeks. Can you believe it?

Missy and Annie

Just Missy:

Foxie and her chow collection (doll in tow).

Negra eating her forage (also with doll in tow):

Bonus! Cy lounging in a paper filled front room:

Fair-Weather Chimps

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As always, I apologize for today’s blog. All staff are arriving at the sanctuary to have our bi-weekly staff meeting. I think I was a little optimistic thinking powering through cleaning to have enough time to grab some photos or video before our meeting. Though we were able to get done with cleaning a little earlier than we usually do, it still wasn’t enough. Especially since it was during the part of day right before lunch, when they are all in the hard to reach spots napping or grooming. I readjusted my plan to get photos during lunch service today. This too was somewhat difficult. On one side, Honey B became a better door than window in my attempts to see/take photos of anyone. On the other side, Burrito just wanted to play, thus souring my attempts with a game of “Poke-the-Camera,” which he finds hilarious.

If you’re wondering why they chimps elected to stay inside instead of venturing out doors today, the answer is weather. There seems to be a little bit of everything in the forecast. It’s cloudy with some sun breakthroughs here and there. Strong gusts of winds are making the panels to the greenhouses rattle. On again and off again drizzles of cold rain are falling from the sky. To top it off, there is some snow that is currently in the forecast for later today. Though realistically (read hopefully) the snow part will change as the day goes on and just turn into rain.

Before the weather started to turn, Negra was demanding to be let onto Young’s Hill first thing in the morning.

Shortly after I opened the door to Young’s Hill, that’s when the weather decided to start. My tall tell sign? Just as fast as she went out, Negra came right back in.

Negra made a beeline straight back to her morning nest.

Negra and her family for the most part stayed in all day. The story next door wasn’t too much different.

Rayne resting next to her cabbage box

But even though outdoor weather wasn’t the most optimal, mealtimes are always exciting. I’m fairly certain I make the same face as Cy and Gordo when my food comes out from the kitchen at a restaurant.

Look how big Cy’s eyes got when the cart was being rolled out

And just as the day started, I will end with Negra in her nest at dinner

Plus Missy and Burrito!

The Queen Has Spoken

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Initially, I had today’s blog all planned out in my head. I was going to write about food peering, a behavior where a chimpanzee stares intensely at the food another is eating in hopes of that individual sending some their way. I was inspired to write about such topic based on this photo I got yesterday of Willy B food peering at Honey B for her coconut.

However, as I went to take some photos during lunch service, Negra had other plans for her subject. During lunch, Negra had me stand at the corner and rub her back during the whole lunch service plus some. And to clarify, by “rubbing her back” I mean with one of our approved safe physical contact methods called Knuckle Rub.

That coupled with a biweekly staff meeting, I was not able to have enough time to write out a lengthy blog or get photos of some food peering. The Queen has spoken and I, her dutiful servant, must oblige.

Here are the very few photos I was able to get today:

Foxie and Negra giving each other a kiss during dinner

Cy watching Willy B, Rayne, Terry, Gordo, and Lucky out on the Bray

Both Rayne and Gordo were able to find some coconut husks leftover from yesterday’s celebration

And a photo of the thunderstorm that was rolling in, though it quickly dissipated

Lastly, we added a whole bunch of things to our Wish List ranging from masks for caregivers to keep the chimpanzees safe from human pathogens, two-way radios for staff and volunteers who work in the Chimp House, and new enrichment items for our residents! If you are able and willing to, please take a look at the items needed to help maintain our quality care of these magnificent beings. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

A Man for All Seasons

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I’ve gotten used to the fact that Burrito now goes on more walks (or runs, actually) than Jamie, but I still can’t get over how comfortable he’s become in inclement weather. Earlier this week we had snow off and on throughout the morning, and when Burrito told me to meet him outside for a run around the hill I was sure he would be disappointed when he got out there. But he was undeterred.

When you’re not moving fast enough, Burrito will stand bipedally and clap to goad you on.

Eventually we just sat near the top of the hill, watching the snow drift down across the valley as it slowly accumulated atop the hair on his head and shoulders.

We took several walks in the mist this morning, along with Missy and Jamie. But when the mist turned to a light, steady rain I was sure they would all want to curl up in a nest indoors. Not Burrito. We hiked back up the hill together in the rain, and every once and a while he would turn backward as though he was ready to head home, only turn turn again and race further up the hill.

He thought it was hilarious.

 

Sun’s Out, Puns Out!

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Today’s weather was consistently sunny and a bit warmer than usual: a merciful break in what has otherwise been a wet and gloomy winter season.

The chimpanzees spent the day lounging in the greenhouses, grooming each other, and even doing a bit of reconnaissance from the taller structures on Young’s Hill. The embedded video and following photos show some glimpses of their peaceful afternoon.

Jody:

Rayne:

Meanwhile, back in the foyer, Jenna, Grace and I had a difficult time coming up with a title for this post. Obviously, there should be some connection to be made between the weather and the chimpanzee activities. “Something to do with sunshine?” Can you do anything with the word ‘season’?” “Does anything rhyme with ‘greenhouse’?” Still, the inspiration didn’t quite come to us.

Lately, I’ve felt pressured to create corny puns and obscure references since that is apparently what I will be remembered for as a contributor to the blog. So many of you kindly wished me well in my next endeavor (more on that next week) but it shocked me how many people said they will miss my puns. I have cautiously pushed back against this claim given that the other caregivers also spit out some amazingly awful, groan-inducing titles, but get none of the backlash from our peers who are fervently anti-pun (see: J.B. Mulcahy).

As always, I’ve taken the time to provide examples of other peoples’ campy titles:

Terry: The Whole Tooth and Nothing but the Tooth, Cold November Rayne, Let Tree-dom Ring, Grapes n’ Roses, This Is A Bit Munch, Sani-Terry Grooming, Missy, I Love You From My Head To-ma-toes, Be Right as Rayne, Chimpanzees in the mist(er), Alpha Cy-chology, Leeked Photos, Twosday, Pretty Fly for a Shy Guy and Fantastic B’s And Where To Find Them

Those are just the ones from this last year! I can think of other egregious ones, like the time Sam called an Independence Day blog post Corn in the USA, but it would take a long time to retrieve all of them from the archives.

My point here is that the whole team is in this together. I am being unfairly singled out for getting on board this trend well before it took off.

Anyway, I hope you all appreciate these photos and video clips as much as we all appreciated a bit of a respite from the dreariness of this winter.

One more photo, this one from last week:

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P.S. Check out the following event and don’t forget to sign up here!

Virtual Visit -Let’s Learn about Positive Reinforcement Training!

January 22nd, 2023
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PT

As Jenna explained yesterday in her post that blatantly referenced lyrics to a classic Eminem song, the sanctuary will be hosting another virtual event on this upcoming Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 at 1pm PT. The two of us plan to explain how we caregivers use Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) to facilitate chimpanzee health and wellness here at the sanctuary. The virtual event will include a live visit in the Chimp House with a Q&A session to follow. You can reserve your spot by clicking here. We hope to see you there!