Posts by Anthony
Hydration Stations
Local temperatures are expected to reach (or exceed) 99°F for the rest of this week. For comparison, NOAA reports that our average high for the month of July is only 80°F. “Big yikes.” When the weather gets this hot, our staff deftly adjusts the daily routine to keep the residents cool, comfortable and entertained throughout…
Read MoreStaring Contest
Honey B’s spicy personality includes extra spoonfuls of inquisitiveness and vigilance: two traits that are often expressed through an intense, unblinking stare. Even when she’s presumed to be resting, we typically encounter her alert and wide-eyed, ready to pop out of her nest at a moment’s notice. Her resolute gaze is both a beloved quality…
Read MoreGreenhouse Energy
Although the next season is still a sunset away, the chimpanzees are already exhibiting typical summer behavior. This transition has been most notable on warm days when the chimps spend most of their time in the greenhouse areas. The first of these unique enclosures was built shortly after the first group of chimpanzees arrived, and…
Read MoreThe 2022 Trifecta Jubilee
As many of you are aware, June 13th has been a special day for the sanctuary for a long time. On this date in 2008, the first group of rescued chimpanzees (the iconic “Cle Elum Seven”) arrived at the sanctuary from a private facility in Pennsylvania. Among them was the beloved Negra, an older female…
Read MoreGratitude with Attitude
In today’s blog, we caregivers wish to express some heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the sanctuary residents. Our good friend Jenara Miller sponsored today, May 31, in honor of Carrie Miller’s birthday. Carrie is a dedicated and generous supporter of the sanctuary and we’re excited to celebrate their birthday here on the blog! To accompany…
Read MoreHeart of Grass
As J.B. summarized in yesterday’s blog post, we’ve been hard at work caring for Negra as she recuperates from a trip to the sanctuary’s clinic. Neggie continues to enjoy her cozy solitude and appears to be making a speedy recovery. We caregivers have been supplementing her cocktail of meds with enrichment puzzles, movies, and even…
Read MorePlay, Soul Sister
For today’s blog post, I’m sharing this video of Dora being casually goofy with caregiver Grace. Enjoy! ___________________________________ P.S. I apologize for the title pun. I don’t even like that song.
Read MoreSocial Studies
It’s been about four days since the newly-integrated group of nine rescued chimps spent their first full day together. We caregivers have been closely observing with our fingers crossed that things keep going smoothly, but we’re already impressed by how well the chimpanzees have adapted to cohabitating with their former neighbors. We have previously touched…
Read MoreA Glass Hoof Full
Chad wrote yesterday about our ambitious plans for this week which will likely impact the blog in the coming days. This afternoon’s post is just a brief update on the sanctuary’s bovine residents. Every year, the hoof trimmer swings by to give the cattle their spring “pedicures.” Bovine hooves grow continuously like human fingernails and…
Read MoreThe Mondays
Do you all know that bit from Office Space about “The Mondays”? (Here’s a link for those of you who have never seen the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AB9zPfXqQQ.) I’ve been thinking of that scene a lot today. To be clear, I have a neutral opinion on Mondays. For that matter, I don’t hold grudges against any arbitrarily-named…
Read MoreA Splash of Color
It’s going to be a busy Monday here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest- a produce delivery, a facility inspection, some staff training, ongoing construction work, and all the usual chores- so today’s blog post is short and sweet. Here’s a photo of Foxie enjoying the views from “The Portrait Studio” (Front Room 4), complete with a…
Read MoreMarmot Madness (and Other Harbingers of Spring)
Although years, days, and seasons are observable phenomena supported by astronomical measurements, the custom of starting our calendar year in early winter seems comparatively arbitrary. Personally, I tend to feel that western cultures missed a grand opportunity by not using the spring equinox to mark and celebrate another long journey around our star. The logistics…
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