Posts by Lisa
Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming!
As the year comes to a close we are thick in the heart of the holiday season enjoying all that this can entail: friends, family, food and fun. Here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest the trick to celebrating the holidays is creating engaging and chimpanzee friendly traditions. Now, for myself, this will be my first year…
Read MoreLet the sun shine
The sky is blue and all the leaves are, well, on the ground, but the sun is warmish and the wind is certainly not freezing today. In fact, if I didn’t know better I might be convinced that the worst that winter had to offer was on it’s way out and Spring was just around…
Read MoreReflecting on Sanctuary
In yesterday’s blog post Elizabeth talked about what sanctuary means to the chimpanzees of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, particularly Negra. As caregivers we try to provide an environment that allows individuals the opportunity to enjoy the life that sanctuary provides in the manner that most appeals to each. For Negra, that can mean her night bags…
Read MoreNot Funny
It’s days like today, when it’s pouring down rain relentlessly upon our heads, that being a chimpanzee caregiver can become even more challenging than it already is. Just imagine trying to keep otherwise generally active chimpanzees entertained when the weather isn’t cooperating! As you can see here, the weather definitely didn’t feel like cooperating today.…
Read MoreQuiet Contemplation
Every day in sanctuary is a gift of life, a freedom, a privilege of choice that otherwise wouldn’t have been available to these chimpanzees. One of my greatest joys as a caregiver is, in fact, the moment I am not needed. Although I love to interact with the chimpanzees whenever we have the opportunity and…
Read MoreThe Great Baked Pumpkin
Variety is the spice of life and we try to provide that for the chimpanzees even in their meals. Most of their diet is designed, as much as is possible, to simulate a natural chimpanzee diet and, as such, consists of primarily fresh fruit and vegetables. This is supplemented with nuts, seeds, and chow to…
Read MoreOn Young’s Hill
The chimpanzees’ relationship with Young’s Hill has certainly developed over the time they have had access to it. Sanctuary has provided them with the room to run physically as well as the room to expand psychologically. Not only have they grown as individuals as a result of the space provided but their relationships and sense…
Read MorePaparazzi
As the weather turns from summer’s heat to winter’s chill the chimpanzees are adjusting their habits accordingly. The panels for the greenhouse walls have all been returned and the chimpanzees are finding the most pleasant spots to spend their time. The windows in the catwalk of the playroom are, of course, a reliable favorite. Recently…
Read MoreCommunity
Chimpanzees are not primarily, by nature, solitary but rather highly social creatures. Free-living chimpanzees in Africa are part of communities, groups that can range from few individuals to many and are subject to a hierarchical social structure. Captive chimpanzees do not always exhibit behaviors identical to those of their free-living relatives, however, the characteristics of…
Read MoreWords and Pictures
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I think, perhaps, that depends on the picture. I am still learning to use the cameras to capture the chimpanzees’ lives in sanctuary. Generally, I prefer to use words to express myself especially as quite a few of my pictures turn out to be worth quite…
Read MoreCan I get a witness?
If you are familiar with Jane Goodall then you might also be familiar with the idea that chimpanzees use tools. In fact, you may remember that just last month J.B. posted an excellent blog about this subject. (If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, you should!) This tool use, exhibited by chimpanzees…
Read MoreAll Agog
You might notice by now that I often share blog posts about the things I have learned from my chimpanzee friends. It is my personal belief that a good caregiver is someone who, among other things, pays enough attention to the needs, wants, and moods of the individuals in their care to be able to…
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