Posts by J.B.
On the Lookout
The sanctuary is located in the Cascade mountain range near the base of a relatively small peak known as Lookout Mountain. Missy sees this as both an opportunity and a responsibility. The chimps have two acres of outdoor space to roam but they spend much of their time on the elevated platforms taking in the…
Read MoreA Show of Hands
I saw this illustration of primate hands shared on social media recently and thought it was a great example of how diverse the primate order is. The most unusual hand belongs to the aye-aye (Daubetonia). It taps its long, slender fingers on trees in search of food. After opening up a hollow with its rodent-like…
Read MoreAl fresco
Missy and a few of the other chimps took their breakfast outside this morning. Chimps will often eat many of the peels and rinds that we avoid, but only after they’ve finished the best parts. Annie and Burrito are the biggest scavengers of these less desirable bits. After fueling up, Missy led her gang up…
Read MoreRacing the Gator
Jamie loves to run but humans are just too slow – that’s why she gets so excited to race us in the Gator.
Read MoreThe tell
Chimpanzee communication involves many overt and unmistakable expressions, from eardrum-piercing pant hoots to boisterous dominance displays, but much of what they convey is far more subtle. This morning, as the chimps were being invited to shift enclosures for breakfast, the routine ground to a halt. Negra would not come inside from the greenhouse, even when…
Read MoreBrowsing
Jamie’s interest in architectural and western-themed magazines continues. You can get a little peak into her mind by observing which pages she lingers on…
Read MoreNew Boots
A recent visitor to the sanctuary wore a pair of boots that really caught Jamie’s eye, so you can imagine how excited we all were when those very boots were included in a care package that arrived earlier this week. As is Jamie’s preference, we started by modeling them and she was instantly enamored. Did…
Read MorePlayful Missy and Visitors from Ngamba Island
It’s been a busy week at the sanctuary! Contractors are finishing the human areas of the Phase 1 expansion now that a back ordered fixture is finally in and Missy, as you can see in the video above, is keeping us busy playing very competitive games of tug-o-war. We were also fortunate to host two…
Read MoreBurrito and his after dinner enrichment
The chimps are presented with different food puzzles each night before they settle down and make their nests. Volunteers placed peanuts and spoonfuls of peanut butter in cups and screwed them together in stacks. Burrito carefully unscrewed the cups from each other to find the treats but found it much easier to use his large,…
Read MoreA new start for Ellie
Ellie is off to start a new life. Seven years ago, we were graced with this most unusual visitor. As we sat with a small group of supporters in the sanctuary’s old barn, an elk walked in, took an apple off the table, and proceeded to chew everyone’s hair. We were stunned. We didn’t know…
Read MoreSearching for Bald Eagles
The sanctuary is fortunate to receive regular visits from bald eagles throughout the winter and spring. While there are a few year-round pairs in our area, many are just looking for a break and a bite to eat as they migrate north. We often find them perched atop the pine and fir trees lining the…
Read MoreGrooming Party
In the afternoon, the chimps can often be found gathered together in grooming parties. At CSNW, these parties usually take place on elevated platforms or, as you can see here, in a corner of the playroom loft. Though grooming partners change from day to day and even minute to minute, over time you can observe…
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