Posts by Lisa
One short day
Today has been busy, busy, busy here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Not unusually but, nevertheless, enough to remark upon. Cleaning, and volunteers, and visitors, oh my! Throughout it all the chimpanzees appear content. The day is sunny and warm, their bellies are full, and life is good. There is nothing quite like the serenity of…
Read MoreLet’s Talk Body Language
You may be aware by now that Jamie can be a pretty exacting boss. She knows just what she wants AND when she wants it. For example, as I type she insists that I should, instead, be taking a walk with her while wearing a cowboy boot. Right. Now. Seriously, NOW. Often people will ask…
Read MoreBe here now
The most invaluable lesson I think I have learned from working with chimpanzees is this: what matters is this moment, right now. The Cle Elum 7 had already lived so very many different lives before coming here to sanctuary and so much of that history is unthinkable, unconscionable to my mind. Not only have they…
Read MoreThe Rainy Day
The weather has been volatile today as you can see by the clouds menacing the sanctuary with the promise of rain. What better way to spend a rainy, blustery Sunday than curled up in a nest with some of your favorite things? I certainly can’t argue with that! Annie nesting in the greenhouse: Missy in…
Read MoreEngaging the mind, body, and spirit
One of the most challenging and rewarding responsibilities of care-giving for chimpanzees in captivity is, I think, coming up with activities and enrichment ideas that are engaging and satisfactory for the chimpanzee mind. Keeping them busy is a full-time job (just ask enrichment coordinator and caregiver, Debbie). Luckily we don’t have to come up with…
Read More15 minutes of paint
Thank you again to Lindsay Zager’s parents who sponsored today in honor of her birthday. Jamie really got into the spirit of things by spending some time making the artwork we provided today her own. We painted a mountain-scape on the window between the greenhouse and the playroom and, as soon she was able to,…
Read MoreMirroring Fun
Recently we posted about Burrito’s love of food. It is true that Burrito brings a certain enthusiasm to each meal but I would say that this is just as true of many of the activities that Burrito engages in. Burrito brings a level of energy and vivacity to play as much as, if not more…
Read MoreJamie’s not-so-serious pants
There are some people who are simply intense, even their resting face is intimidating to the uninitiated! Their approach to life and every experience in it can seem so serious that it’s hard to imagine them ever being a kid. If you asked my husband, that’s a fairly accurate description of me. If you asked…
Read MoreSummer Sun
It’s a warm, quiet afternoon in sanctuary and the chimpanzees are spending time each according to her(or his) nature. Jamie and I took some new footwear for a walk around Young’s Hill after lunch. Missy accompanied us for part of the way and then we all returned to the greenhouse to escape the heat. The…
Read MorePaper dreams
When is a roll of paper not just a roll of paper? When it’s been appropriated for use by the chimpanzees of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, of course! Yesterday’s enrichment theme was paper day and, in the spirit of things, Debbie and I covered the playroom floor with yellow paper from a large roll. Not only…
Read MoreGood friends, good times
Mornings here at the sanctuary are busy times. The caregivers arrive, prepare breakfast for the chimpanzees, and, then, are usually engaged in quite a lot of cleaning. I love cleaning, it’s like having my own personal workout regimen that does wonders for my arms! My absolute favorite part of the day though is after we’ve…
Read MoreMissy in motion and at rest
It often seems as if Missy vibrates with kinetic energy. Whether exploring Young’s Hill or playing with her friends, Missy’s athleticism is certainly nothing to scoff at; I have seen some amazing acrobatic feats! Every good athlete knows, though, that there is a time for action and a time for rest. Although you might not…
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