Posts Tagged ‘Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest’

Motivation

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

As many of you probably already know, Negra hasn’t been going out on Young’s Hill much since last fall. Obviously, we cannot ever truly get inside of the chimps’ heads, and I’m sure Negra’s lack of interest in the hill is due to many different factors. I imagine 35 years in a small laboratory cage would make 2 acres seem extremely intimidating (it is intimidating!) plus we know she isn’t much of a fan of cold weather, so lately she has preferred to hang out in front of the chimp-proof glass windows in the Playroom with a blanket over her head (who can blame her when it’s that cold really?). But with the warmer weather and the vibrant fresh grass, she’s found just enough motivation to get herself out there, even if just for a minute.

Negra in her transfer cage en route to CSNW in 2008:

Negra today:

In the grass

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Over the last 3 (almost 4!) years, we’ve had tons of blog posts about grass forages (in case you haven’t heard, the Cle Elum Seven love to eat grass!). Oddly enough, the first blog post about grass forages was on May 1, 2009 (almost exactly 3 years ago from today). What’s awesome is that we no longer have to set up a grass “forage” (unless we want to) because the chimps get to harvest it themselves on Young’s Hill. And that’s exactly what they did today. I wasn’t able to catch any photos of her, but even Negra went out a couple of times grabbing big handfuls of grass to take in the Greenhouse.

Burrito:

Jody:

Jamie:

Foxie:

Foxie greeting Jody:

Chimps’ Choice- Spry gum!

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

I just looked in the cabinet and realized the chimps are out of Spry Gum! The chimps actually love to chew gum. Sometimes they just swallow it, but usually they will chew it and sometimes even play with it (check out this adorable video posted in 2010 of Negra enjoying a piece of gum). We don’t give the chimps sugar or artificial flavors so Spry is great because it contains Xylitol, a natural sweetener, which is great for your teeth and gums.

So, I would like to propose a challenge: the first 5 people to send this 5-flavor pack of Spry Gum from our Amazon Wishlist will get something extra special from me in return, along with the joy that you helped enrich the Cle Elum Seven, of course! What could be better?

Delicate Jamie

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Sometimes Jamie can be quite destructive, with her great displays that show her domination, and her investigations of enrichment. So in contrast, I really love how delicate she looks with this small cherry tomato in these pictures from the other day. (I also really love the amazingly vibrant green grass in the background!)

The Queen of Relaxation

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

If Negra is the Queen of the Cle Elum Seven, Jody is the Queen of Nest Building and Relaxation.

Jody is hands down the best nest builder I know. She is definitely an artist about it, and will often use as many as 20-30 blankets. We put out tons of new straw and alfalfa hay in the greenhouse yesterday, so Jody forewent the blankets and made herself an amazing nest right on the ground.

Another day in paradise

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

Today is day 3 of unseasonably gorgeous weather (high 70s!) here in Cle Elum. The chimpanzees have been out on Young’s Hill for a couple of hours now and show no signs of tiring of it. (As I write this, Jody is lying on her belly in a patch of shade munching on some grass.) Here are some photos from this afternoon:

Foxie has collected several of these wine vines to bring into the greenhouse with her:

Annie brought in a blanket she found on the hill for her nest in the greenhouse:

Burrito has been watching the goings-on from his new favorite hangout by the treat rock:

3rd Annual Love a Chimpanzee Day

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

Love a Chimpanzee Day is a much-beloved CSNW holiday invented by longtime supporter Monica Best. Monica sponsors April 23rd each year in memory of her cat Ozzie and in celebration of these chimpanzees and all chimpanzees. This year, she also wants the holiday to honor Emma, Karen and Don Young’s dog who recently passed away. (April 23rd also happens to be Monica’s birthday – happy birthday, Monica!)  We had our official celebration a few days early this year (check out the photos here), but we’re still going to be sure to love the chimps just a little extra today.  We may be biased, but we can’t think of a more worthy holiday.

Spending Earth Day on the Earth

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

Today was Earth Day and thankfully it was an absolutely beautiful, almost summery, day for it! It’s been around 75 degrees this afternoon and very little wind (which we get a lot of around here!) so I gave the chimps Young’s Hill as early in the day as possible. We didn’t have a full-fledged party, but it’s pretty surreal to think that after decades of bars and concrete, finally the chimps truly got to celebrate Earth Day on the grass and with no bars overhead.

Missy and Annie spent some time sitting on the grass in the shade

Foxie climbed up high to enjoy the view

Jamie and volunteer caregiver Stephanie went for a little walk around the perimeter of the hill

And Burrito climbed up a climbing structure he hasn’t explored yet

It must feel so good to have blue skies overhead with no bars!

Lazy Play

Friday, April 20th, 2012

Annie and Missy love to play, whether it be rough-and-tumble wrestling, or like today—playing at the same time as resting. Annie certainly didn’t want Missy to go to sleep, and really, who’s to say you can’t play and lay down at the same time?