Posts by Elizabeth
Foxie the Brave
In the three and a half years since we opened Young’s Hill, the chimpanzees’ two-acre outdoor habitat, the chimps have become more and more comfortable with the wide open space it provides. It didn’t happen immediately for many of them. After living for thirty years in climate-controlled buildings, touching nothing but steel and concrete, it…
Read MoreThe Boss at Rest
Jamie can be a little high-strung. As the boss of the group, it’s her job to make sure everything runs the way (she believes) it should, and to make sure everyone’s behaving themselves. But Jamie also knows the importance of rest. During quiet moments, she often takes the opportunity for a quick siesta before she’s…
Read MoreMood Swings
Jamie woke up on the wrong side of the nest this morning. From the moment we arrived at the chimp house and greeted the chimpanzees, it was clear that Jamie was feeling a little cranky. This isn’t terribly unusual, and we caregivers know to just give Jamie her space for a little bit until her…
Read MoreDowntime
Mornings at the sanctuary are a flurry of activity – the humans are busy cleaning the chimp house from top to bottom while the chimpanzees are playing with each other or outside exploring Young’s Hill. It’s not until early afternoon that we finally have a chance to sit down for a moment and regroup. It’s…
Read MoreToo Close for Comfort?
Chimpanzees spend a lot of time grooming each other. Grooming serves hygienic purposes – removing dead skin, tending to wounds – but maybe more importantly it serves to strengthen bonds between individuals. Chimpanzees don’t seem to have the same hangups about personal space as many of us do; they are not shy about getting right…
Read MorePhotos of the Day
Annie (with a mouthful of alfalfa) watching BFF Missy explore Young’s Hill: Foxie: Jamie admiring caregiver Debbie’s boots: Jody: Burrito grooming Foxie: Missy in her element: Negra in hers:
Read MoreA Day in the Rainforest
Today’s enrichment theme is Rainforest Day, and we did our best to turn the sanctuary into a tropical paradise. Volunteer caregiver Becca arrived this morning with her arms full – she brought a giant roll of green paper for a canopy and many rolls of streamers. The chimpanzees enjoyed a breakfast forage in the greenhouse.…
Read MoreNew Boots for Jamie
Jamie got a new pair of boots today. She has a pretty consistent new-boot ritual that I love watching. After we give her the boots, she walks around and gathers blankets and other materials for a nest. She sets the boots aside momentarily while she gets her nest situated. Once everything is in its place,…
Read MoreIs Burrito cute?
This afternoon, volunteer caregiver Sandra was hanging out with Jamie in the greenhouse when she called me over the radio to let me know Burrito was sunbathing, in case I wanted to come out and snap some photos for the blog. As usual, Burrito was unable to lie still for long once he sensed there…
Read MoreA Well-Earned Rest
For the first time in their lives, the Cle Elum Seven live in a place where the humans do all the work, while they spend their days however they please. Nothing is expected of them other than to be chimps. Occasionally the chimps enjoy watching us while we work, but the majority of the time…
Read MoreMore of Annie’s bird noises
Debbie recently posted a short video clip of Annie’s bird noises, but we haven’t had much luck capturing this endearing Annie-ism on film for more than a few seconds here and there. Annie typically makes her bird noises when she’s feeling content and relaxed, usually lying on her back like in this video from this…
Read MoreTo Each Her Own
Missy and Negra are good friends, but they are opposites in a lot of ways. Missy is petite and athletic; Negra is large and round. Missy is always on the move; Negra is usually napping under a blanket. Missy is social and outgoing; Negra likes her alone time. Today after lunch Missy headed outside to…
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