Posts by Anna
A BIG thanks to our supporters and some leisurely afternoon activities
In case you haven’t heard, yesterday’s Giving Day for Apes was nothing short of a success! Check out the above video for a thank you from the Queen herself. In other news, today after lunch, wadging paper primate chow bags seemed like top priority for Annie, Jody and Foxie. Jody and Annie had to take…
Read MoreFacial Expressions
Just like humans, chimpanzees use a wide variety of facial expressions to display their emotions. Since we often think of chimps as so similar to humans, you can see how easy it might be for newcomers to chimpanzee behavior to misinterpret some of the photos they might see out there of chimps seemingly grinning happily…
Read MoreThe Queen -2 ways
Negra in all her afternoon glory! Which do you prefer, traditional or black and white?
Read MoreNegra’s prize
This morning when I opened the door to Young’s Hill for the chimps, the group filed out together to check on their 2 acre outdoor enclosure. Negra, who often goes back to bed after breakfast (instead of exploring), headed outside with everyone else. She found a perch on the nearest platform and was clearly watching…
Read MoreParty cleanup committee
Yesterday we threw a big party on Young’s Hill for Annie’s 44th birthday! The chimps were filled to the brim with all kinds of delicious foods, so much so, that there were still some leftovers deemed worthy by some adventurous foragers this morning. Annie found what at first glance looked like a leftover banana leaf:…
Read MoreWay back Wednesday
I thought it would be fun to do a little flashback post and revisit some old blog posts in a game I am now calling “On this day in Sanctuary History.” September 5, 2008: Apparently Missy was playing a lively game of chase in the greenhouse with the sanctuary’s founder Keith! Check it out here!…
Read MoreNesting with Annie
There is a special joy you feel when you catch a chimpanzee happily nesting with a gigantic pile of blankets. No one is a happier nester than Annie Chimpanzee. She does a rhythmic seated shuffle while she builds her nest around her body, then she lays down to check her comfort level. Then she adds…
Read MoreCool mornings and interesting guests!
We’ve had some lovely (almost fall-like) cool mornings lately. This crisp air makes it prime time for exploring the great expanse that is Young’s Hill. Annie and Foxie headed for the newest structure we are calling “The Escher.” They have no qualms about climbing to the top. In fact, Annie took “top” to the whole…
Read MoreDr. Missy
As you may already know, chimpanzees groom each other for both socialization and hygiene. They keep diligent track of any injury their friends have sustained and are always on hand to squeeze, prod, pick at, or even gently bite an offending wound. This does a pretty good job of keeping things open and clean. At…
Read MoreSeasons of sanctuary
Young’s Hill goes through a true transformation each year. It’s always a delight to watch one season fade into the next. ❄️Winter❄️ 🌱Spring🌱 🌞Summer🌞 🍂Autumn🍂
Read MoreLate summer forage
It seems like the entire Pacific Northwest has been blanketed with smoke this week. There are no fires in the immediate area, but nevertheless, winds have been blowing the smoke our direction. Luckily, the chimpanzees’ playroom is a nice cool, well-ventilated escape from the outdoors. We’ve also been boosting the chimps’ immune systems with respiratory…
Read MoreChecking out the construction process
Many of our supporters have asked how the chimps feel about the construction that is happening at the sanctuary this summer. In general, they have been pretty calm and curious. While the chimps have a view of a lot of the action, they can’t always see all the changes that are happening. They did get…
Read More