Summer Lovin’ 2015 Party Video

Burrito with shot of smoothie and coconut

As promised, below is the Summer Lovin’ Party video. This video is a thank you to everyone who made a Summer Lovin’ donation as part of our Summer Biddin’ online auction. The chimpanzees certainly deserve a party! As the video mentions, Burrito really won the day by keeping his cool when he snagged one of…

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Taking it as it comes

summer lovin set-up

Today was a little different. I don’t think there’s any such thing as normal, ho-hum day in the chimp house, but some days stray more from the routine than others. This morning we set up the Summer Lovin‘ party in the greenhouse. Big thanks to everyone who gave for Summer Lovin’ during our recent Summer…

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The other side

Foxie and Burrito grooming

It would be easy to compare groups of chimpanzees to the mafia. Or to middle school cliques, for that matter. Sometimes I worry that we don’t talk enough about this side of chimpanzees. The side that may seem to contradict the gentle, curious, charming, loving moments, like these photos I took today of Foxie, Burrito,…

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Trolls becoming real

Foxie on structure

From the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams: “Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to…

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Alarm Calling and Reassurance Seeking

Jamie after intruder

It’s not always possible or easy to catch brief moments that are great examples of chimpanzee behavior. Today, I was lucky to have the camera when this episode happened on the hill; and the summer visitors were lucky to have seen it in person! In the video below, you’ll hear the distinctive sound of chimpanzee…

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Biddin’ Bliss!

thermometer

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Summer Biddin’ online-only auction! Those who donated items, made cash donations for Summer Lovin‘, and bid, bid, and then bid some more (even if you didn’t win), came together to raise $27,000 for the chimpanzees – and that was with an initial goal of raising $14,000!!    …

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3…2…1…BID!!

Annie by Margaret Parkinson

The bidding has begun in our Summer Biddin’ online-only auction! Bidding is open to everyone, regardless of location, and we have so many great items – lots of things that would make great gifts, or just once in a lifetime experiences for yourself. And don’t forget to make a donation and help produce the Summer…

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Chimpanzees and insect eating

JB giving presentation

When I started to write this, J.B. was leading a Summer Visit tour: I’d be willing to bet that one of the things he explained is what we put in the termite mound / treat rock on Young’s Hill. Generally, what we say is that the termite mound mimics ant hills or termite mounds that…

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Love on a Windy Day

Sweet Annie

Three members of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest family had weddings today – the brides are new staff member Anna and dedicated volunteer Becca, who is marrying Lars, also a volunteer. I wanted to wish them a special congratulations using photos of the chimpanzees taken on this windy day, so here goes: Anna & Andy and…

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Foxie’s 39th!

Foxie with a smoothie shot

Today we celebrated Foxie’s 39th birthday! It was a day filled with some of her favorite foods – lots and lots of fruit, fruit smoothie in shot glasses… Foxie found a smoothie shot on the hill: plus there were carrots, celery, more fruit, avocados, sweet potatoes, corn, and fresh-pressed carrot & apple juice!   There’s…

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Eyeful of Beauty

Burrito arms crossed

  Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely is made for the eye of one who sees. ~ Rumi   Portraits of Burrito and Jamie:    

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Recovery and Reunion

Burrito sleeping in recover room

I’ve never seen a chimpanzee sleep so soundly and for so long as Burrito did after his dental procedure yesterday. He slept from mid afternoon yesterday straight through to this morning. J.B. and I decided to leave the playroom empty so that Burrito could have a peaceful rest without the girls disturbing him, They spent…

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