Posts by Anthony
It’s super hot outside.
Well, maybe it’s not that hot. Today’s temperature is actually only a few degrees above Cle Elum’s average for July, and we’ve had much hotter days recently with even more blistering heat ahead. Still, there was something about today’s weather that slowed everyone down by half and made the shady indoor areas feel twice as…
Read MoreIntermission… of a Sort
Today functioned as a brief intermission… of a sort. Yesterday, the team wrapped up a major facelift of the existing playroom. Yesterday’s blog showed it best, but additional snapshots make it clear that the chimps were just as interested in the demolition, reassembly and repainting as they were in the finished product: a clean and…
Read MoreRaspberry Days
There are many reasons to love summers in the Pacific Northwest. One of my favorites is something that the chimpanzees also enjoy: an abundance of native berries to snack on. The raspberry bushes that flank the Chimp House are not new. They were planted many moons ago and have been maintained by dedicated staff and…
Read MorePortraits of the Day
Anna and I are wrapping things up in the Chimp House and reflecting on what a long day it has been. Sadly, my initial plans for composing a video to attach to today’s blog deteriorated as the day went on. Instead, you’re all getting these portraits of three of my favorite chimps. (Note: I have…
Read MoreFawns and Fledglings (and Chimps)
“Today, just do what you can.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read MoreThe Mystery of the Disappearing Jersey Cows
It was a chilly morning, smothered by gray clouds and filled with incessant wind. The chimps did not seem excited when I opened the gateway to Young’s Hill, and they sneered as the wind lashed their faces and caused the prairie grasses to whip around them. Soon, they had all retreated back to the warm…
Read More4,392 Days of Summer
I used to live my life for the summers. Growing up in a maritime New England town, summer was always the “best” season. The warm weather and sandy coastline brought tourists from all over, and my teenage friends and I spent those months playing baseball, mowing lawns, and bringing Dunkin iced coffees to our favorite…
Read MoreThe After-Party
Chad and I were just watching Honey B sitting on a pile of enrichment as a dragon would perch upon piles of stolen treasure. Chad remarked “Honey B is the kind of person who would leave their Halloween decorations up for months afterwards.” He’s right. With all of the celebrating we’ve been doing lately, we’re…
Read MoreHealth and Happiness
Here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, we take the physical health of our residents quite seriously. Each day, the staff works as a team to make sure all of the essential tasks get done, and one necessary chore is the administration of medications to individual chimpanzees. Today, Chad was responsible for getting everyone their prescribed doses…
Read More“Inspiration is for Amateurs”
Today’s day of sanctuary (including this blog post) was sponsored by Jenara Miller to celebrate the birthday of our dedicated supporter, Carrie Miller. Carrie is a friend of ours and is a pal of Burrito’s, and we wish her entire family nothing but happiness as they commemorate this special occasion! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Speaking of anniversaries, it’s…
Read MoreThe Three Goofballs
Goofballs. Goobers. Dorks. Clowns. Weirdos. Free spirits. Whatever you call them, there’s no doubt that Honey B, Mave and Willy B know how to have fun. We’ve been focusing so much lately on Willy B’s exciting forays “into the great outdoors” that I decided to share some clips of his group being playful and rowdy…
Read MoreThe Saga of Willy B
Right now, I know that many folks are struggling to adjust to the new normal: a degree of social isolation, economic strife and general mistrust that rails against our innate drives to be together. No matter what we believe should be happening right now, I think it’s safe to say that most of us are…
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