Posts by Lisa
Time To Fly
Life is made up of the smallest moments strung together like pearls that, when you add them up, become the most beautiful story, more beautiful than you could possibly imagine at the time they are happening. Today is my final day caring for the chimpanzees at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and all I can say is…
Read MoreLet’s Get It Started
Even though the chimpanzees enjoyed a fabulous day long celebration last Friday for Foxie’s birthday, they’re not done partying just yet. Life in the sanctuary today was sponsored in honor of supporter Erin Yuhas’ birthday. Erin also donated some fun enrichment items and decorations for today’s affair. Thank you, again, Erin for your generous gift!…
Read MoreNight Bag Noises
Nightbags, or night bags, are the post dinner treat for the chimpanzees here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Jamie, Jody, Missy, Annie, Negra, Foxie and Burrito all love these nut-filled bags and each has a preferred practice for how to get the most out of these small but delectable treats. The sound of the chimpanzees crunching…
Read MoreSpending time in sanctuary
As a caregiver at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest one of our priorities is trying to come up with entertainment, enrichment, and various engaging activities for the chimpanzees’ daily lives. We are keen to provide them with as much choice and autonomy in captivity as we can. For all our effort towards this end, it is always…
Read MoreAlone time is good for the soul
**Last week I experienced some technical difficulties trying to post my blog. If you are on Facebook you will already have had the opportunity to watch the video but for those of you who aren’t, here is last week’s blog post, finally!! Please enjoy and check back later for today’s real blog post.** Chimpanzees are…
Read MoreFun with Water
Yesterday someone asked whether the chimpanzees like to use water to cool off. The answer, as it often is, is both yes and no. Yes, the chimpanzees do enjoy water, quite a lot in fact! But, no, they don’t really jump in the pool to cool off. Rather than hanging out in water they prefer…
Read MoreNesting, Napping, and Sharing
Today is hot, hot, hot here in Central Washington and the chimpanzees are making the most of the day by relaxing in style. Each chimpanzee has been resting and nesting according to his or her personal preference. Jamie enjoying the cool, shaded front rooms and, of course, a boot or two: Negra relaxing in one…
Read MoreJamie – Keeping it Interesting
If there is one thing that we have written about more frequently than anything else I think it must be Jamie’s multifaceted personality. Jamie is the boss but she’s also good friend. She takes things seriously but she can also be quite silly when the mood strikes. Sometimes she shares her things and other times…
Read MoreThe best laid plans
One of things that you learn pretty quickly about the unique experience of working as a chimpanzee caregiver is that flexibility is indispensable. There is a daily routine, of course, but whenever you are working with living beings with distinct personalities and preferences there is always the possibility that someone will want something else, something…
Read MoreAn intense focus
Jamie takes life pretty seriously. She likes to work on her projects, eat meals, take walks, and interact very intensely. Her focus can certainly be intimidating but it’s one of the traits I really admire, probably because it resonates. Today we set up a cabbage forage in the playroom after morning cleaning. In the series…
Read MoreTaking it Easy
The pace of life in central Washington is different from what you might be used to experiencing on a daily basis. Slower, warmer, and quieter certainly come to mind, pastoral, if you will. In this context, the peaceful ease that the chimpanzees share with one another can be taken for granted. But their ability to…
Read MoreA relaxing morning walk
We have written quite a lot about Jamie chimpanzee’s Young’s Hill walks and accompanied the descriptions with many, many pictures. It really is one of the best experiences of working at Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW and one of my favorite activities to share with Jamie. Today I would like to invite you to join Jamie on…
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