Here are some photos Diana took this morning. We’ll try to post some video tomorrow.
The chimps celebrated the day today with the help of good friends Robbi and Dick, who supplied the treats, gifts, and decorations.
Foxie fishing popcorn and nuts out of one of the many food puzzles
Foxie carrying two pomegranates and a troll
Annie enjoying a pomegranate - one of her favorite treats
Watch KOMO news segment online here: KOMO viewers pitch in to help chimp sanctuary
Theron Zahn presents Keith with a $1000 check from KOMO News viewers! Thank you KOMO 4 Problem Solvers!
Jamie put on a mask this morning. I only caught a few seconds, but here ya go!
Michelle Esteban of Seattle’s Komo 4 TV News, an ABC affiliate, has visited the sanctuary twice. She reported on the chimpanzees’ arrival on June 13th and she was there August 26th when the chimpanzees went into the outdoor area for the first time.
Through their Problem Solvers fund, KOMO TV has raised a bit of money for us. Michelle called yesterday to see if she could send out a crew this morning to do a follow-up story. It should air on the evening news (channel 4 in Seattle). If you’re local, I hope you can watch and tell your friends to watch too!
Chimpanzees have massive, powerful hands, but they tend to be so gentle and delicate when they groom someone else’s face – especially around the eyes.
We’ve got pretty limited storage space around here. Every spare inch is used up. Apparently the chimps are trying to help us save space, too. Today while cleaning I found this stash (a troll and a duster) hidden up above the bench in one of the front rooms. The radiant heat on the loft (above the front rooms) makes the silver grooves you can see – a perfect spot to hide a troll and a tool from us! I suspect (although I have no proof) that Ms. Jamie is our organizer!
Chimps have a number of different ways to indicate that they would like to play. If you read this blog regularly, you’ve seen a chimpanzee play face. This face (top teeth covered, bottom teeth exposed, bottom lip drooping) says “Hey, I’m about to slap you in the face and bite your foot, but its all in good fun – don’t take it the wrong way!”
But its not just the face that indicates a playful mood. Quite often, chimps use objects to get things going. For example, Missy sometimes likes to steal a blanket from Annie’s nest, and Annie quickly jumps up and engages in a game of chase. And around here, the wearing of socks is a universal sign that a chimp is ready to play. You can see the look in Missy’s face that says “As soon as I pull this sock up to me knee, it’s go time!”.
Foxie, in all her new found playfulness, has developed a her own unique way of initiating play with her human caregivers, and of course, it involves a troll. She pushes a troll through the caging so that it lands on the floor in the human area. As soon as we pick it up, the game of chase begins. She gets so excited when we chase her with the troll that she will sometimes do standing back flips or climb to the ceiling of the outdoor area and hang upside down while rubbing her feet together. Occasionally, she pushes the troll out when we’re not looking. When this happens, she claps until we notice the troll lying lonely on the floor.
This morning, Foxie must have been feeling creative, because I think she invented the “I have a troll on my head, so it must be time to play” signal.
Annie loves eating the tops of cattails
After a big display, Burrito is surprised, and slightly annoyed, to find himself in a cloud of cattail dust
Laura Bee Designs in Ballard is having a holiday shopping day for Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest today from 10am-6pm. They are giving the Cle Elum Seven 20% of sales for the day! Laura Bee makes fun and unique animal-friendly bags and accessories and lets you customize them! There are so many cool things to buy and create for yourself and as gifts for others at this store – you really should check it out in person, and do it today to help the sanctuary! You can see more about this shopping day and others on our help us fundraise page.
Burrito is a man of extremes. Being a male chimp, he has a tendency to cause havoc just for kicks. I don’t envy the girls who have to live with him – it’s like being locked in a room with the Tasmanian Devil.
But there’s a gentler side to him. He can often be found taking a nap in one of the front rooms (as you can see in this photo), enjoying the seclusion. And surprisingly, he and Negra groom each other quite often. My guess is that Negra is currying favor with him so that she’ll be spared when he goes on a rampage, but maybe I’m being too cynical.
He can also be very playful. Usually he plays with a youthful intensity – whereas some of the girls like to tickle or play tug-of-war, Burrito prefers an all-out race around the building, banging on the walls as he goes. But once and a while he’ll sit for a quiet game, sticking his face up against the caging so we can blow in his mouth or in his ears.
When we arrive at the chimp house each morning, we’re never sure which Burrito we are going to meet. But usually, a cold mouthful of water in the face tells me that the mischevious Burrito is ready for breakfast.
Insulated Water Bottles
Made by Hydro Flask, the double-wall insulation of these 24oz bottles keeps liquids cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. Made from stainless steel with a BPA free plastic cap and featuring the sanctuary's Jody logo. Get yours today! Shop for all items in the online store.
Register now for Race for the Apes, the sanctuary's first 5K fundraiser in Ellensburg, WA. The event on Sunday, May 20th is open to everyone. Register to run, walk, sponsor, or create your own fundraising page. More details on the Race for the Apes event page.
Chimp Sanctuary NW blog
