Posts by Keri
The Day After
All the excitement from yesterday’s big Valentine’s Day celebration has left the chimpanzees pretty quiet today. All of them spent time on Young’s Hill (some a little longer than others) in the sunshine. And this afternoon, most of them relaxed in the Greenhouse. Jamie, as you may have guessed, took quite a few walks around…
Read MoreThe Meaning of Sanctuary
Like many of you who read Diana’s blog yesterday, I was moved to tears thinking about all of the captive chimpanzees who have spent most or all of their lives in biomedical research and who have never known a life of sanctuary. Instead, their only perspective of life thus far is from behind metal bars,…
Read MoreGo Hawks!
We’re always looking for a reason to celebrate and throw a party here at the sanctuary. What better reason for a party than to join fans in cheering on the Seattle Seahawks for Super Bowl XLIX today? So, how exactly do we throw a Super Bowl Party for chimpanzees you may ask? Well, nothing says…
Read MoreAnnie and Jody Show Off Their Flexibility While Grooming
Grooming is a important activity in chimpanzee societies. Not only is it useful to help chimpanzees keep themselves and other members of their group clean and free of dirt and debris, grooming also helps to build friendships and solidify bonds. The activity can also be used as a form of reconciliation after a conflict. Sometimes…
Read MoreIn Search of The Perfect Snow to Eat
It didn’t take long for the chimpanzees to make their way outside today once the sun came out. Jamie, Jody, Annie, Missy, Foxie and Burrito all made their way onto Young’s Hill. While Jamie continued on to do her first perimeter walk around the hill, the other chimpanzees were more focused on eating the pieces…
Read MoreClose-ups
It’s not often that I take non-blurry, close-up pictures of each of the chimps. There are number of reasons for this, one being operator error. Second, third and fourth reasons are that the chimps are often moving, just out of sight of the camera, or would rather not have their picture taken. So, when the…
Read MoreJody Checks Out Jamie’s Boots
Jamie was intently inspecting one of the boots that I had given her after I wore it outside in the snow today. She went about inspecting (and licking) the boot, not paying any attention to Jody, who was just as intently peering (a common chimpanzee behavior usually geared toward food) at her. None of it…
Read MoreMore Avian Visitors
One particular day earlier this month, Jamie kept zigzagging back and forth across Young’s Hill instead of making her way all the way around the inside perimeter of the fence. There was a loud drumming sound coming from a group of pine trees on the east side of the property and whenever she heard it,…
Read MoreResting Up For Big Days Ahead
The next few days are going to be filled with parties and festivities for the upcoming holidays and I think the chimpanzees are resting up in anticipation. This morning while caregiver Katelyn and I were cleaning the Playroom, we noticed an exceptionally well-made nest. Actually, it was two nests made together, causing us to believe…
Read MoreJody’s Snack Preference
Out of the seven chimpanzees here at the sanctuary, Jody is the one most likely to forage for native plants on Young’s Hill, earning her the title of “Jody the Harvester.” Throughout the summer there are a variety of plants to choose from. However, during this time of the year, there really are no green…
Read MoreA Little Adventure on Jamie’s Boots
Volunteer caregiver-in-training Liz and I were walking around Young’s Hill with one of Jamie’s favorite boots not long ago. When we rounded the last corner of the hill, on our way back to give Jamie the boot, Liz spotted a patch of mud and decided to stick the sole of the boot in the mud…
Read MoreRain, snow or shine
I’m often asked if the chimpanzees go onto Young’s Hill when it is raining or snowing. The answer is yes, they still venture outside, although I think we can all agree, sunshine is probably preferred. As I’m writing this, Jamie is on her fourth walk around the hill (it’s currently foggy and sprinkling). And she…
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