Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

young's hill

Waiting for the rain

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After a hot, dry, and smoky summer, there’s a chance we will finally get some rain this week. Though we didn’t get any today, the clouds were a nice change of pace and the chimps took advantage of the cooler weather to spend more time outside climbing and foraging.

Annie:

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Jamie:

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Missy in the foreground, Foxie in the background:

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Burrito, Jamie, and Foxie:

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Burrito:

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Foxie keeping an eye on the cows:

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Jody harvesting bamboo:

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Jody with a wadge:

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Negra and Jody foraging during lunch:

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Jody:

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Foxie and Dora’s friend:

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If you haven’t done it yet, go check out our online auction, which began today at noon. Things are going fast, but there’s still plenty of bidding left!

Happy Birthday, Missy!

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It’s hard to believe that youthful, exuberant, energizer-bunny Missy is turning 40 today. She might be in the running for World’s Most Sprightly 40 Year Old Chimpanzee. Missy makes us smile everyday with her enthusiasm for life, her legs that never stop running, and her complete devotion to her chimp family. Today, we celebrate her.

Volunteer caregiver Patti put together an 80s-themed party for Missy’s big day. Naturally this included leg warmers, socks, and sweatbands in neon colors (including a few for caregivers to wear), and homemade Rubik’s Cube pinatas. We firmly believe a party is not a party without streamers, so we decked out the greenhouse with those too. Fruit smoothie “shots” in Dixie cups, apples, plums, tomatoes (Missy’s favorite), and primate chow rounded out the celebration.

Missy:

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Negra:

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Annie:

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Jody:

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Jamie:

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Foxie:

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Burrito:

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For Missy, no day is complete without some serious adventure, so we scattered a lunch forage on Young’s Hill. And adventure she did:

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To everyone who contributed to Missy’s party, sponsored today, or just sent happy thoughts to the birthday girl, thank you!

Chimpanzees and insect eating

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When I started to write this, J.B. was leading a Summer Visit tour:

JB giving presentation

I’d be willing to bet that one of the things he explained is what we put in the termite mound / treat rock on Young’s Hill. Generally, what we say is that the termite mound mimics ant hills or termite mounds that chimpanzees encounter in the wild, and we provide the chimpanzees with tools to access the goodies inside. It’s great enrichment because it involves tool use and problem solving, and it taps into natural chimpanzee behavior.

The difference, we explain, is that chimpanzees in captivity do not appreciate termites and ants! They react to “bugs” the same way most industrialized human cultures do – as a nuisance, but definitely not as a source for food. And that is why, instead of insects, we put things like mashed up bananas and/or peanut butter in the mound for the chimpanzees to fish out.

The chimpanzees, however, have a way of proving what we say to be wrong. I still don’t think that any of the chimpanzees would appreciate it if we put insects in the pvc tubes that screw into the termite mound, but Jamie and Missy have recently discovered a surprising delicacy – wasp larvae.

This is doubly surprising, given that the chimps certainly do not like wasps, and Jamie has been stung before. Apparently, that risk is worth harvesting this new treat. I wonder how they even discovered that the nests contained something they would like!

Here are a few photos I managed to get of Jamie with a nest that she brought in from Young’s Hill:

Jamie with a wasps' nest

 

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Jamie with a wasps' nest 3

 

Watching her, it wasn’t entirely clear to me how much of the larvae she was eating, because she seemed to be selectively eating some parts and not others, but she was clearly enjoying the experience:

Jamie with a wasps' nest 2

 

I haven’t been able to capture any photos of Missy with wasp nests, so you’ll have to take my word that she is very excited when she has a nest, perhaps even more so than Jamie.

 

Speaking of Missy, it’s her 40th birthday tomorrow!!!

Missy on the hill

Above is a photo of Missy from today as she took a rest before running the perimeter of Young’s Hill.

 

I defy anyone to call Missy old – she has one of the youngest spirits I’ve known in a chimpanzee. Whether she is searching for wasp nests, running like mad, wrestling with her BFF Annie, or demanding garden tomatoes, she demonstrates, daily, a sense of freedom that she’s found in her second chance at life (read this blog post from 2014 about Missy’s quite literal second chance).

We will be having a big celebration for Missy 40th tomorrow, so be sure to check here on the blog for photos of the party and wish her a happy birthday!

Love on a Windy Day

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Three members of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest family had weddings today – the brides are new staff member Anna and dedicated volunteer Becca, who is marrying Lars, also a volunteer. I wanted to wish them a special congratulations using photos of the chimpanzees taken on this windy day, so here goes:

Anna & Andy and Becca & Lars, may your love be…

As sweet as Annie:

Sweet Annie

 

As endearing as Burrito:

Burrito with amazing shoulder hair

 

As playful as Foxie:

Foxie carrying Dora

 

As strong as Jamie:

Jamie standing on structure

 

As unique as Jody:

Jody with hands full

 

As loyal as Missy:

Missy with sunflowers

 

And as inspiring as Negra:

Negra with green onions

 

A little backstory on the photo of Missy above – in honor of the couples, I put out two sunflowers from the garden as part of the chimps’ lunch forage. I expected Jody to be the one to get them, but it was Missy!

Here are a few more photos:

Missy retrieving sunflowers

Missy leaving the treat rock

Missy carry her stash Missy carrying her stash 2

 

Happy wedding day to all four of you!

 

Hot summer nights

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Hot summer days have led to beautiful sunset strolls with Jamie this week. It was hot enough last night that most of the chimps stayed up later than usual, sprawled out, waiting for the much anticipated cool evening breeze to come down from the mountains once the sun set.

Jamie:

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Annie:

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Foxie and Dora:

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The sunsets have been brilliant this week and despite being the result of smoke from all the raging wildfires in the state (none of which are a threat to the sanctuary), it’s hard not to appreciate their fiery beauty.

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Two of our sweet neighbors were also out for an evening stroll:

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We don’t blame Jamie for waiting for the cooler evenings to enjoy walking. It’s a peaceful way to end the long, sweltering days for the humans as well. A welcome time to relax and sink into the soothing night sounds that accompany dusk.

Earlier this week as one of the blazing sunsets turned to embers and the night shadows fell over the hill, Jamie continued walking. Sometimes the chimps appear to be looking at the sky with the same awe that we do.

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On the last walk that evening, which was close to 9:00 PM, she seemed to become a bit more apprehensive as the shadows covered the hill and though she couldn’t be enticed to squeeze in one more walk before dark (even with Keri and I both wearing cowboy boots) she decided it was still nice enough to sit in the safety of the raceway to Young’s Hill and take in the view of the valley below as the breeze ruffled her hair.

Eventually, the motion sensor lights came on outside the greenhouse, but still she was content to sit in the doorway as we waited with her. But that’s part of the magic of summer evenings, the cool breeze, the stillness of the night, and relaxing in the company of good friends.

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Foraging for food and a doll

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While setting up a lunch forage on Young’s Hill, the chimpanzees’ 2 acre outdoor enclosure, volunteer caregiver Patti spotted an “abandoned” French Dora doll. After some deliberation, we decided to leave the doll on the hill and see who would rescue her. Hint: the answer is in the video below.

Burrito had a hard time deciding between which to grab more of, small bell peppers or primate chow.
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Jamie and Annie shared time on the treat rock foraging for cherry tomatoes (straight out of the garden), eggplant pieces, peppers and primate chow.
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Negra spent time in her cabin on the hill before making her way back to the Greenhouse.
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Missy never misses a chance to climb the various structures in search of food.
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Don’t worry, Foxie (who has an obsession with dora and troll dolls) had her own stash of dora dolls from her birthday party yesterday!

Happy Birthday, Foxie!

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This special day of sanctuary was sponsored by Tracy Headley in honor of her pal, Foxie’s, birthday! Tracy is a luminous soul who holds the chimpanzees in her heart and welcomes them into her life at every opportunity. She is such a good friend to the chimpanzees and humans alike, advocating however she can to make the lives of so many, better.

We would also like to thank Karen and Don Young for ensuring that today’s Dora the Explorer themed celebration is one for the records! Karen and Don have also been a big part of the chimpanzees’ lives and have made possible their amazing outdoor area, Young’s Hill. We have watched Foxie (with Dora and trolls) explore Young’s Hill this year like no other. Walking the perimeter with her caregivers, bravely testing out climbing structures, and often leading the way on adventures with her chimpanzee family. Karen and Don send this special message for Foxie:

“Happy Birthday to beautiful Foxie, the first chimp we met at CSNW and the reason we became involved with this amazing sanctuary. To witness the comparison of how you are today to how you were then is miraculous! We hope you have fun at your birthday bash and wiggle your toes at all of the food goodies and a new Dora doll! Happy, Happy Birthday! Karen and Don”

Tracy, Karen and Don, thank you so much for all you do to ensure the chimpanzees live the lives they deserve, filled with hope, dignity and love.

As we prepare to celebrate our beloved and endearing Foxie’s 39th birthday, we are filled with gratitude. Gratitude that despite all that she endured and had stolen from her during her three decades in biomedical research, she is full of joy, courage and love. All of which we are profoundly honored to witness, and share in, each day. Happiest of birthdays yet to you, dear Foxie! We love you!!

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We are so touched and grateful to all of you who have reached out to make sure Foxie and her family have a wonderful day. She has received new France Dora dolls, new troll dolls (including a France troll!), decorations, toys, and treats. It’s going to be quite the special bash for a special lady so check in later today to join in on the festivities!