Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

young's hill

Walks with a friend

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Today’s blog and video is all about my walks with Jamie (and others) over my time as a caregiver here. Walking around Young’s Hill with the chimpanzees has been one of my favorite parts and will always hold a special place in my heart. When I first started Jamie would ask me to walk around Young’s Hill multiple times a day. No matter how hot it was outside. Some days she would rest in the shade of a structure and I would wait it out in the sun. I loved every minute of it even if my skin said otherwise. I started to catch on and would sit behind the gator while I waited for Jamie to start walking again. There could be so many different combinations of ways Jamie requested to walk around the hill. It could be me running, driving the gator, or someone driving the gator and me running in front of it. Sometimes others would join us on our walks, but for the most part my time was spent with Jamie on the hill. Every so often if Chad was busy Burrito would want me to race him around the hill and remind me how out of shape I truly am. Recently, Jamie left during one of our walks to go back inside and Foxie joined me for the rest of the way! I’m glad we are finally past winter (although it’s snowing outside right now) so we can spend time on Young’s Hill with the chimpanzees again.

I’m sharing all of these good memories because sadly this will be my last blog post. It has been an honor to work here and be a part of this family and I know in my heart I will always be a part of it. The chimpanzees, cattle, and humans here will always be a part of me now. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I am staying in the field, just moving to a different opportunity. I wanted to thank all of you for being so supportive and providing such nice feedback over my time here! I really enjoy reading your comments on the blog and getting to know you all.

A bonus photo!

Jamie and her amazing nest yesterday.

 

 

 

Just Another Sunny(ish) Sunday

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Just another relaxing Sunday around the chimp house! As I’m writing this the weather is looking more and more like it’s going to start raining at any moment, but for most of the day though the weather was beautiful! Willy B enjoyed some naps in the Courtyard and later even Negra went out to see the sunshine on Young’s Hill.

Here are some photos of Foxie’s group on Young’s Hill today.

Foxie

Jamie

Jody

Burrito

Annie

Negra

Photos from the rest of the day!

Burrito with a cowboy boot.

Jody resting in the warm Greenhouse.

Annie grooming Missy.

The fabulous Jamie.

Rayne in her comfy nest.

Terry and Dora grooming in the Riverview Greenhouse.

 

Happy Spring!

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Happy first day of Spring! Let’s hope this means warmer weather is on the way soon! It was cold today with even a little bit of snow, so it didn’t feel much like Spring. The chimpanzees didn’t seem to mind though! The three chimpanzees in Willy B’s group were all enjoying interacting with a slinky today.

First, this morning Mave was using it as part of her nest. Honey B is sitting behind her.

Willy B then decided to drag it around the front rooms with it around his ankle!

Honey B also took a turn dragging the slinky around.

Willy B looking pretty handsome.

Here’s what some of the other chimpanzees were up to today!

Terry enjoying time in the Riverview Greenhouse.

Dora spent a lot of time in the Riverview Greenhouse today.

Missy decided to take some of her lunch (red bell peppers and chow) out onto Young’s Hill.

Jamie on a walk with one of her caregivers.

Foxie relaxing in Greenhouse.

 

First Look

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One of my favorite parts of every morning is the “first look” the chimpanzees take before they journey into the wide expanse of Young’s Hill. It’s that special quiet moment where they determine which direction they want to head out and which quadrant of their outdoor space they want to explore first.

Foxie in the doorway that leads out to Young’s Hill.
Jody, finishing up her breakfast.
Missy
Negra (chow in mouth) heads down the raceway.

Bonus! Willy B empties his giant Kong.

Sunday Stroll

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There was a break in the clouds this afternoon and most everyone in Jamie’s group was outside making their way around Young’s Hill. I sat for awhile enjoying watching them all over the hill and climbing on all the structures. Negra was not far away, but was in the Greenhouse surrounded by blankets in a nice big blanket nest.

Jamie on Young’s Hill.

Missy enjoying time on the hill.

Jody found some pine to snack on.

Annie and Burrito walking around Young’s Hill together.

Foxie waiting for everyone to come back towards the Greenhouse.

Katelyn got this photo of Jamie all comfy in her nest this morning!

On the other side of the chimp house Honey B was ready to have her photo taken.

Willy B was enjoying the peanuts he got from the daytime enrichment.

I was very impressed with how Cy was getting raisins out of the raisin boards.

Dora and Rayne were making good use of the big wolf blanket.

Rayne later in the afternoon.

False Spring

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These last few days much of the Northwest has been experiencing a “false spring” in February. The remnants of snow from our massive January snowstorm have been rapidly trickling away in this 52 degree “heatwave.”

Perhaps it might be too early to be planting seeds in gardens, but it’s never too early to explore Young’s Hill. Jamie’s group positively poured into their outdoor enclosure as I opened the door this morning. The snow has melted from all the important spots so perimeter walks are back in demand.

Six Chimps on patrol

 

Foxie
Burrito
Jamie
Jody and Annie checking out the neighbors (Cy’s group in the chute).
Missy
Even Negra made an appearance to soak up some sun!

Meanwhile, the greenhouses are prime hangout spaces right now.

Dora, Terry, Cy and Rayne in a grooming puddle.
Also- big shout out to this guy who turns 7 today! Here is Nutmeg enjoying his birthday bale.

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 🙂