Posts by Elizabeth
The Blanket Fling
Burrito has a patented play move that is legitimately impossible to resist – we call it the blanket fling. He most often uses it when he’s trying to initiate play with a caregiver. The closest English translation I can come up with is “Heeeyyyyyy! Let’s get crazy!!” And get crazy we do.
Read MoreThe Big Kid
Despite Burrito’s 32 years of age, he acts like a kid more often than not (and brings out the kid in us).
Read MorePlay
The chimpanzees spent much of their morning a couple of days ago like this:
Read MoreFoxie in the Portrait Studio
Foxie and a troll doll spent some time in our “portrait studio” the other day (a space in one of the front rooms that has great natural lighting). She was gracious enough to allow me to snap a few photos.
Read MoreLil’ Bigfoot
When Missy is walking out on Young’s Hill, she will often stop every once in awhile, stand up bipedally, and turn around to see what’s going on behind her. We’re not sure why she does this but it’s very endearing. She spends so much time bipedal that she’s earned the nickname Lil’ Bigfoot.
Read MoreBurrito’s Search for Snow: A Story in Pictures
The Boss
One of the most satisfying things about working at a sanctuary is having the opportunity to give the chimpanzees what they need after decades of deprivation. As a species, chimpanzees need the company of other chimpanzees, good food, fresh air and sunshine, and space to roam. We work hard everyday to meet these needs. But…
Read MoreToday at the sanctuary
We’re all a little stunned by the gorgeous weather we’re having today. The chimpanzees are in great moods and are making the most of their day. Here are our favorite photos from this morning and afternoon. (Don’t let these photos fool you; these all happened to be taken indoors, but the chimps are enjoying a…
Read MoreSupervision
Alpha Jamie can be pretty bossy, but she’s not entirely opposed to the other chimpanzees having some fun. (Just a little bit, on occasion.)
Read MoreSpiderchimp
The ceiling of the greenhouse is made up of long metal bars that allow the chimpanzees to brachiate (swing arm over arm), much like wild chimps swing through the trees. The chimps use these bars pretty often to move from place to place in the greenhouse. For Foxie, though, they’re more than functional – they’re…
Read MorePeace and Quiet
Negra’s days are made up of quiet moments. She’s usually the last one out of bed in the morning, and the first to go back to bed after breakfast. She spends most of her day lying in a big, soft nest in front of her favorite window on the playroom catwalk, where she can watch…
Read MoreTaking It All In
Today we’ve been lucky enough to have some mild temperatures and sunshine in Cle Elum. After lunch I headed out to the greenhouse, expecting to find most of the chimpanzees lounging out there (their favorite sunny day spot). I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find everyone except for Burrito and Negra outside on Young’s Hill,…
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