Posts by Elizabeth
A Little Joy for Your Day
Some recent photos of Burrito, our resident male model:
Read MoreMissy deigns to play with a caregiver
Missy is a chimps’ chimp. She much prefers the company of her chimpanzee family to that of any of her caregivers. Once in awhile she honors us with some attention, but she is hilariously aloof in most of her interactions with humans. On the rare occasion that she plays with a caregiver, she typically has…
Read MoreMore Positive Reinforcement Training Progress
Our Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) program is coming along nicely. (Learn about PRT and how it helps the chimpanzees in this blog post from last year.) Here’s a video of Diana and Jamie’s session this afternoon.
Read MoreJamie-ween 2016, Told in Twenty-one Spooky Photos and One Terrifying Video
Jamie, the birthday girl: Negra: Missy: Jody: Foxie: Annie: Burrito:
Read MoreIt Doesn’t Take Much
We give the chimpanzees all kinds of toys to play with each day, but sometimes something as simple as a cardboard box does the trick.
Read MoreMaking the Most of It
Occasionally we offer the chimpanzees some sugar-free gum as a treat. Some of them swallow it right away, but Foxie likes to savor hers.
Read MoreRainy Day? Time to Play
It’s a gray, rainy day in Cle Elum but Foxie and Jamie are keeping themselves entertained inside. (Make sure your volume is up for some great breathy chimp laughter starting around 0:40.)
Read MoreThe Simple Things
Savoring a creamy avocado next to a sunny window must be one of life’s greatest pleasures, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving than sweet Annie.
Read MoreThe Lost Photos
Many of the photos we take of the chimpanzees each day never make it onto the blog. Here are a few that I’ve taken in the last couple of weeks that I just found hiding on the hard drive. Jamie: Burrito: Annie: Jody: Negra: Speaking of photos you may have missed, the 2017 CSNW Calendar…
Read MoreThe Boss Goes Solo
Jamie is one of the bossiest people I’ve ever met. She holds the alpha position here at the sanctuary, but even for a dominant chimpanzee, she is a force to be reckoned with. She runs a tight ship; both the humans and the other chimpanzees at the sanctuary know better than to get on her…
Read MoreWhat We Do For Love
If you want to be a chimpanzee caregiver, it’s best to leave your pride at the door. We find ourselves doing all kinds of ridiculous things to entertain the chimps. Foxie thinks it’s hilarious to pass us one of her dolls and watch us dance.
Read MoreChimpanzee-Caregiver Interactions
For everyone’s safety, humans have very little physical contact with the chimpanzees at the sanctuary. We are always separated by caging, chimp-proof glass, or electric fence. Staff and a select group of volunteers who have gone through extensive safety training are permitted to have what we refer to as protected physical contact with the chimps.…
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