Posts by Anna
Chimp Profiles: Mave!
Age: 31 Nickname(s): Mavous Favorite foods: Avocado, coconut, pineapple Favorite activity: Chillin’ Important skills: Wrestler extraordinaire One thing she would take with her to a deserted island: A pair of toe socks- plus she’d be pretty happy if that island came with its own coconut tree.
Read MoreThe challenge of photography
Taking photos of chimpanzees in captivity can be a challenge. For human and chimpanzee safety, caregivers never go in the enclosures with the chimps. Since we can’t share the same space as the chimps, staff take all the blog photos and videos through a mesh or wire barrier that separates us from the chimpanzees and…
Read MoreHappy Birthday Honey B!
Today Honey B turned 31! Since Honey B has so many different interests, we were excited to throw her first birthday party since arriving at Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW. The popcorn forage was a big hit, as was the special decaf coffee we served her at lunch, but we were most curious to see if she’d…
Read MoreThe Saga of Willy B, Part II
Last month Anthony wrote this detailed blog about the Saga of Willy B. It was a truly well written tale, packed full of suspense. As many things in real life, Willy B’s story lacked a proper happy ending. Well we don’t always get what we want in the world of chimpanzees, but this week we…
Read MoreSpecial and ordinary, all at once
Sometimes morning patrols around Young’s Hill are busy! There are wild edible plants that need picking and territories that need to be checked up on. There’s something special about seeing the chimpanzees go on outdoor adventures, both together and apart, each with their own idea of how to spend the morning. Young’s Hill will be…
Read MoreJust because
Each day at the sanctuary, staff put out special forages in the courtyard to encourage Willy B’s continued exploration of his outdoor space. We’ve seen his confidence grow significantly as the weeks have rolled by. Here Willy B stretches away from his “safe space” (the boardwalk) to pick up an orange slice: You will have…
Read MoreChimp Profiles: Foxie!
Age: 43 Nickname(s): Tiny, Fox, Fox-alicious Favorite foods: Fruit smoothie/all things sweet, avocados Favorite activity: “Toss the troll” with her caregivers Important skills: Keeping the peace in the group One thing she would take with her to a deserted island: her plastic tote filled with dolls
Read MoreHe did it!!!
Today was the day, we could all feel it this morning. Yesterday was rainy and blustery, but today… Today we have beautiful weather. We made careful preparations this morning, getting things set up just right for the big moment. Ladies and gentlemen….I present to you..the sanctuary’s “moon shot.” Willy B climbed on the platform in…
Read MoreThe chimps celebrate Love a Chimpanzee Day!
After yesterday’s light rainfall, Central Washington is positively bursting with green today! The majority of the deciduous trees seemed to unfurl their leaves overnight and I even got a whiff of cherry blossoms as I pulled into the parking lot this morning. This fresh wave of spring and a party for the chimps was the…
Read MoreFamiliar faces, familiar activities
Have you watched John Krasinski’s Some Good News show yet? It’s one of my favorite things to have emerged in this stressful time we live in right now. He highlights all the good things that are still happening around the world right now and some of the people that are doing them. I highly recommend…
Read MoreGlorious Sunshine!
A little summer-like weather rolled into the sanctuary today. Many of the chimps have been spotted taking leisurely outdoor strolls to soak up some Vitamin D. On the other side of the building, the “Californians” have been spending a good deal of their time in the outdoor chute, checking in on their neighbors and getting…
Read MoreWhat did I miss?
This past Tuesday marked my first day back from maternity leave and let me tell you, it’s good to be back! As we all regrettably know, the world looks a lot different right now. A pandemic was definitely not part of my worries as I started to plan my return to work, but now it’s…
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