Posts by J.B.
Some good news for Jo
We have some good news to share about Jody. The biopsy and other tests of the mass on her foot indicate that it is inflammatory in nature and likely not cancerous (cancer is rare but not unheard of in chimps and a previous test had raised the possibility). The challenge now is to get her,…
Read MoreChange of Plans
This afternoon I was photographing Jamie as she chewed and wadged some cattails. While I was hoping to write a blog post about wadging, she soon decided that she’d rather groom the camera with her cattails. There’s no way to ever be a fly on the wall when photographing chimps. Thankfully, Jamie was in a…
Read MoreA trip to the clinic for Jody
Earlier this year, we took Jody into the clinic to assess a lump developing on her foot. Unfortunately, the mass continued to grow after that procedure and cytology results suggested that further evaluation and testing was warranted. We’re so lucky to have assistance from people like Dalila Fairchild, CRNA, who ensured that Jody was safely…
Read MoreNothing but Burrito
I have to apologize in advance, as this post contains nothing but photos of Burrito playing. Save your angry letters! Out of fairness, we have to feature him on the blog every once and a while.
Read MoreThe Perfect Nest
Each chimpanzee makes a nest in their own unique way. In fact, I bet most chimpanzee caregivers could name the chimp if someone simply described how they make a nest at night. Here at CSNW, we’ve got Jody, who gathers up as many blankets as possible, throws them over her shoulder and drops half of…
Read MoreForaging on the Fourth
Foraging is all about strategy. You start by evaluating each type of food. Watermelon: sweet, refreshing, can be consumed quickly. Corn: Delicious but time-consuming, gets stuck in your teeth. Primate chow: satisfies those carb cravings but leaves your mouth too dry to eat anything else. Lettuce: great palette-cleanser but not much bang for the buck.…
Read MoreFingerprints
Chimpanzee hands are remarkably similar to our own, from their ability to grasp and use tools to their unique fingerprints. While the exact function of a fingerprint’s various whirls, loops, and arches is still unclear, it’s thought that they might increase grip on some surfaces or improve tactile perception. Scientists have yet to specifically examine…
Read MoreThe Doll Days of Summer
We start each day with a walk around the perimeter of Young’s Hill. This is done as a precaution to ensure that the fence wasn’t somehow compromised overnight, but it is also a great time to check on the cows. While they are constantly on the move, on summer mornings they can often be found…
Read MoreThe King of the Courtyard and His Growing Kingdom
Willy B has been exploring more of his modest kingdom. In his quest for scattered grapes, he has taken his first tentative steps on grass and dirt and away from the safety and security of familiar objects and structures. At times he is bold. Other times he is more cautious. This morning he inspected the…
Read MoreHappy Animal Sanctuary Caregiver Day!
Today the sanctuary community is celebrating the fourth annual Animal Sanctuary Caregiver Day. Here at CSNW, we celebrated a day early because our staff were all here at the same time for Honey B’s birthday party and you can’t share pizza and ice cream over Zoom. Normally we don’t eat where the chimps can see…
Read MorePlaytime
Burrito steals the attention of his caregivers while they are trying to clean. Meanwhile, Missy steals the spotlight while they’re trying to film.
Read MoreTraining Fun
Getting chimpanzees to participate in their own medical care is incredibly important for their physical and psychological health. But some chimps, like Foxie, are reluctant to take part. After three decades in laboratories, who could blame her? But with patience, and lots of positive reinforcement, the chimps do learn to trust us. Sometimes, you just…
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