Pan bloglodytes

A Party for All Primates

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:21:49 -0800

This past Friday (February 26th) was an exciting day for all of the primates at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Insititute! For his 21st birthday, Central Washington University student Cameron Jessup decided to throw an electronic music event at Ellensburg's newest venue, Raw Space, with ticket sales benefiting Friends of Washoe. The venue space was generously donated by the owner of Raw Space, the deejays (most of which drove over from Seattle for the event) played for free, and local visual artists donated art pieces that were put up for silent auction. Jessup called the event "HANDS," as hands are unique to primates, and charged a $5.00 admission price for six hours of electronic music!

The event itself was exciting; some deejays performed with CDs while others used top-of-the-line production equipment to put on a unique performance during their 45-minute sets. Headliner "Sweatbox" put on a great show, playing breaks (including some Queen and even the theme from Super Mario Brothers!) and some drum and bass. Party guests were able to browse a table full of homemade bracelets (courtesy of CHCI students Lindsay Zager, Lani Gusman, and Missie Cole), glowsticks, and candy, and were free to bid on art pieces throughout the night. Promoter Cameron Jessup even borrowed an industrial-strength fog machine and some lasers to add to the night's magic! Guests were even able to dance the night away while enjoying a slide show featuring the chimpanzees of CHCI!

Overall, the event was a huge success! Friends of Washoe made nearly $1000.00 in donations! Almost all of the art pieces were purchased by party-goers, and guests even made donations for the bracelets and candy available at the event. Thank you to everyone who helped put on this amazing fundraiser! All of the primates at CHCI are so grateful for all of the hard work that this event's participants put in to make this an enjoyable and successful event. Though electronic music and dancing isn't everyone's cup of tea, everyone worked together to make it a great night for all involved!

Private Signing on Berm

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:37:46 -0800

There are a lot of things that one must learn to do when training to be a caregiver at CHCI. I have been training for Chimp Care for a few months now, and the only thing I had yet to experience was an interaction on berm (the walkway and garden along the outdoor enclosure).

The chimpanzees do not usually stay outside for long periods of time during the winter months, so my trainer told me to let her know when an opportunity to interact arose. We have been fortunate enough to have warm and sunny weather for the past week, and one day when I was berm Tatu and Loulis came outside and sat on the ledge of the enclosure. Tatu had a magazine with her and began to sign to herself, also known as private signing. She flipped through the pages, pointing THAT/ at various pictures. She also signed BLACK/, ICE CREAM/, and CLOTHES/ while looking through the magazine. Loulis was sitting nearby, watching her. I immediately radioed my trainer, Lisa, telling her that Tatu and Loulis were outside and, since Tatu was signing, may want to interact.

Sure enough, as soon as Lisa came up and Tatu realized we could interact (while in the training phase, we must have our trainer present in order to interact), she put the magazine down and signed THAT/ at the not-so-exciting-in-winter garden. Unsure as to what she was asking for, I signed back WHAT/? Tatu clarified, signing FLOWER THERE/ towards the ground. Unfortunately, Lisa and I could not see any flowers so we asked FLOWER WHERE/? Tatu signed FLOWER THERE/ once more, perhaps indicating that she knew flowers would soon be growing now that the sun was shining again.

At the same time, Loulis began sticking the end of a fire hose through the caging so we could play tug-of-war. I grabbed the end and we played for a few minutes, both of us with big chimpanzee play-faces on. Before I knew it the next person came up for their berm shift, and it was time for me and Lisa to head back inside. I always love signing with the chimpanzees and playing games, but my favorite part of the day was watching Tatu signing to herself. I just wish I could have seen the magazine to see the pictures she was so excited about!

Valentine's Day

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:29:54 -0800

Since the Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day fell on the same date this year, the chimpanzees at CHCI celebrated Chinese New Year a little early. For Valentine's day, decorations and other related party items were prepared over the three-day weekend and were ready for the chimpanzees to enjoy!

While every day at CHCI there is a theme to the enrichment that the chimpanzees receive, the themed enrichment on holidays is extra special. All of the students and volunteers at CHCI worked together to make hand-crafted decorations for the chimpanzees' RED HUG/LOVE DAY celebration. The East Play Room was decked out in red and white and pink streamers, hearts, and clothes. Cellophane bags held stuffed animals and tasty treats. Perky purses and apparel pockets hid more treats, including lollipops, chocolate-covered marshmallows, peanut butter cheese cracker packs, raisins, sunflower seeds, and 100%-fruit-juice boxes.

Dar collected several of the cellophane bags and sat on the wooden platform to enjoy the spoils: lollipops, raisins, and sunflower seeds. He opened all of the bags with his teeth and peeled the cellophane back like wrapping paper. Loulis went for the treats hidden on the upper wooden platform - marshmallows and fruit juice. Loulis also pulled down all of the streamers one by one, making a colorful mess on the floor. Tatu found all of the peanut butter cheese crackers and ate the peanut butter first, before enjoying the crackers.

After all the treats were gone, the chimpanzees settled down for mid-morning naps. Valentine's Day was a sweet success!

Chinese New Year

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:21:28 -0800

This year the Chinese (Lunar) New Year and Valentine's Day fell on the same day, so we celebrated the New Year a little early. In the East Room, interns hung paper dragons, dragon masks, red decorations for luck, pictures of tigers and fish, and a huge sign that said "Happy New Year" in English and Mandarin. There were also raisins, an exciting favorite.

When the doors opened, there were lots of pant-hoots, and excitement as the chimpanzees raced around, picking up raisins all over the playroom, and playing chase. After all of the raisins were gone, Loulis made another loop around the room, pulling down all of the decorations, red sheets and clothes, streamers, the paper dragon hanging over the wooden platform, and finally the red "Happy New Year" sign.

For dinner, all three of the chimpanzees attended a special order Chinese take-out party sponsored by Kathy Gee. We ordered the following items from Panda Garden for the feast: Egg Flower Soup, Crab Cheese Won Tons; Almond Chicken; Garlic Chicken; Vegetable Fried Rice and extra Fortune Cookies (3 each). Prior to the start of the meal the interns were drooling over the smell and we took bets on which items might be favored.

The meal offered a number of surprises. First, the Egg Flower Soup was served as a forage in paper cups hidden in the night-time enclosures. Although Dar tasted the soup, the forage was primarily commandeered by Tatu, who drank almost every cupful while Dar and Loulis looked on. Crackers were a bust so Dani, the evening's server, moved onto the main courses. In the second surprise of the evening Dar took a shining to the Crab Cheese Won Tons and managed to eat all eight!! Tatu picked through the offerings for bits and pieces while Loulis tasted everything on the plate. Interestingly, no one was very taken with the chicken.

The fortune cookies were served for desert and enjoyed by all, once we told them they were cookies! Prior to that explanation the chimpanzees merely looked askance at this seemingly ridiculous looking offering. At least, that's what I imagine they were thinking considering their initial facial expressions and general lack of excitement. Overall the meal was quite a success but maybe next time we should try some pork?

Super Bowl Party

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:35:38 -0800

Sunday was a holiday in American culture; Super Bowl Sunday- a day
usually filled with lots of snacks, friends, and excitement. Super
Bowl Sunday was no different for the chimpanzees this year, with a
special meal cooked up for the occasion. For an appetizer, in addition to
their protein biscuits, the chimpanzees foraged in their night enclosure
area for air-popped popcorn; Tatu excitedly pant-hooted early in the
morning signing POPCORN/ when she was told about the afternoon's forage.
In true game-day fashion, the chimpanzees enjoyed nachos (tortilla chips
covered with melted cheddar cheese)and hot dogs (ethical and organic, of
course!) with mustard as their main course, with celery and carrot sticks
on the side.

Dar especially enjoyed the nachos, eating the cheese from
his own bowl while holding Tatu and Loulis' servings in his hands and
feet. Tatu enjoyed the hot dogs with mustard, eating extra portions that
Dar and Loulis left behind. Loulis enjoyed a little bit of everything,
including the popcorn forage. Overall, it was a delicious and enriching
meal for the chimpanzees of CHCI; nomatter who the winning team happened
to be!

A Young Advocate

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:54:31 -0800

Just last week CHCI received a box full of wonderful RED CLOTHES and blankets from a young boy named Brandon Wood. Brandon sent this care package after reading our request for red clothes on our Facebook page. Tucked in among the clothes was a sheet of paper which had a handwritten note from Brandon: Please visit my blog. Thanks, Bye, Brandon. Curious, we surfed over to his blog to learn a little bit more.

Brandon is 9 years old, and he loves all animals, but especially chimpanzees. He wanted to have a chimpanzee as a pet, but after doing some research on the Internet, he found out that chimpanzees don't make very good pets. So, Brandon decided to do a little more research, and found the sanctuary, Save the Chimps. Save the Chimps has been gradually moving chimpanzees from the Alamogordo, New Mexico facility to a semi-free living enclosure, made up of several large, interconnected islands, in Fort Pierce, Florida. Brandon decided to sponsor the move for one of the chimpanzees, Boy.

Happily, Boy recently made the trek from New Mexico to Florida, but Brandon is still raising money to facilitate the move for the other chimpanzees still in New Mexico. In addition, Brandon is one of the most active advocates for chimpanzees in captivity that we've had the pleasure to know. Please check out Brandon's blog by clicking here, or by cutting and pasting the url below into your browser's search bar.

http://makeachimpsmile.blogspot.com/

Ethical Meat

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:01:20 -0800

Because CHCI is affiliated with a state university, even though we raise all of the funds to support the chimpanzees, we must abide by the rules for use of funds which are mandated by the State of Washington. While all raised funds go directly to support this family of chimpanzees, we must take the appropriate steps to ensure that all financial rules are being followed. We have had general approval to purchase produce and other small items from our local grocery store with the understanding that we also "glean" from the store. Gleaning is picking through the cuttings and produce that the store cannot sell for vegetables and pieces of fruit that can be used as food for the chimpanzees. Some of the smaller items that we purchase include meat and milk and bread - things that we cannot get donated or make ourselves very easily.

Because the chimpanzees grew up eating meat, and because they do not always choose to eat the "monkey chow" (hard, dry protein biscuits to supplement their fruits and vegetables), we offer them meat twice a week to make sure they ingest enough protein.

Just last week we received permission from the university to purchase, and subsequently serve, animal protein that has been raised as ethically as possible. Because our local grocery store does not stock ethically raised meat, we needed to request permission to purchase it from another vendor. Having received permission, we have started purchasing and serving more ethical meat.

And Tatu loves the new buffalo items on the menu.

Postural Congruence and Interaction

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:22:48 -0800

At CHCI we do a lot of research on human interactions with the chimpanzees that live here. I have been thinking a lot about my own behavior when I interact with Tatu, Loulis, and Dar. So, I thought I would write about an interaction that Loulis and I just had.

It's very cold here in Ellensburg during the winter, and the chimpanzees spend a lot of their time indoors. As such, we try to provide many fun activities to keep them from developing too-bad a case of cabin fever. I was in the observation area when Loulis approached me for a game of chase. Since no other humans were around, I decided to get especially silly, and jumped up on the window ledge so that I could be up against the glass. Loulis seemed to think this was excellent, and started playfully knocking on the glass, and rubbing his knuckles up and down with a huge play face. I turned my back to him so that I could kick the glass with my bare feet. He responded in turn by turning his back and kicking the glass in the same place I was. I found it so interesting that he changed his posture to imitate my own that when he climbed down to play more chase, I did the same, and did my best to make it appear that I was running quadrupedally along the glass with him. When he back-hand-thumped the glass, I did the same, banging my wrist on the glass where he banged his wrist. This seemed to make him even more excited, and we ran along the glass together, banging our wrists and laughing for many minutes.

My wrist is a little sore now, but I've learned a valuable lesson about how adjusting my own behavior, as Loulis adjusted his, can make for a great interaction.

Kelly McGraw's Good-Bye

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:23:17 -0800

Editor's Note: Kelly has been working at CHCI for more than three years, and finished her time here as a Tech, the highest level of training available at CHCI.

December 31st is the end of my three year journey here at CHCI. I came to Central in 2005 for the Primate Behavior and Ecology major not knowing what to really expect. My sophomore year I started as an intern at CHCI and my life has never been the same. Not only have I met some really amazing human primates, but I have had the chance to meet four amazing non-human primates.

Some people find it hard to believe that I would be so strongly impacted by chimpanzees, but what they don't know is the first time you really look a chimpanzee in the eyes, you have a realization that they are so much more complex than you ever gave them credit for, or at least that is how my experience went. It's hard to put into words how it feels to have Tatu invite you into a peaceful grooming session for the first time, or how good it feels to have Dar offer you a kiss on a day when it seems like life is getting too crazy. I think the chimpanzees here have taught me some really great life lessons that I am lucky enough to walk away with. I think one lesson would be to enjoy the little things in life that most people take for granted, like being able to go outside. We aren't able to let the chimpanzees go outside if it is below 20 degrees which, if you've ever been to Ellensburg, can be quite a few days in the winter. I have had a few moments where I would be opening the door and the excitement would be overwhelming.

Yet, most humans don't have to worry about not having the choice to go outside. In fact, as humans we have almost unlimited choices in everything. The chimpanzees here are given as many choices as possible, including who they choose to be friends with, and like any friendship there is a level of patience and forgiveness involved. Some may argue that chimpanzees aren't patient, but if you've ever trained someone to give a drink from a hose you will see a lot of patience on the chimp's part. I have seen people accidentally spray the chimpanzees while trying to give them a drink and the chimpanzees' reaction isn't always anger, but often they may adjust and give the person another chance. I think this may be the greatest lesson I have learned from the family here.

Although I am leaving, I know the chimpanzees will be in good hands and will be well taken care of. So all I can say is goodbye Tatu, Loulis, and Dar. You guys are wonderful and I hope you continue to shape others who have the opportunity to be your friends. To all of the human primates, thank you for always supporting me and thank you for all the good times. I will miss you all.

Winter Break

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:32:43 -0800

The Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute is located on a university campus. As such, the number of interns who are able to put time in over school holidays is limited. But, those interns who do stay find ways to have a good time, even without their home-bound comrades.

Kelly McGraw bubble-bombed Missie Cole's desk. The bubbles were a welcome distraction from "real" work.

Tatu's Birthday Party

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:17:28 -0800

Today is Tatu's birthday and an exciting day for her indeed, filled with the many treats she loves, pants and hugs from her dear mates, Dar and Loulis. As I pondered Tatu's birthday this morning on my commute, I thought about her mother, Thelma. Tatu's birthday, like most mammal's birthdays, really involved two people, Tatu and her mother. Usually mothers are overjoyed at the appearance of their wrinkled baby. I wonder how Tatu's mother, Thelma, felt. On December 30, 1975 Thelma lost her baby. Tatu arrived in the Gardner's cross-fostering laboratory on January 2, 1976, just 3 days old. Meanwhile Thelma had a total of 8 babies; she was used as a breeder by the biomedical community. She went from the Institute for Primate Studies in Oklahoma, to the Laboratory for Experimental and Surgical in Primates (LEMSIP), to Coulston Foundation and now thankfully she is in sanctuary at Save the Chimps in Ft. Pierce, FL. So Tatu's birthday gave me pause today to think of the sadness that her mother endured on the day she lost yet another baby. I follow this with applause to the many people who continue to work to end this cycle of exploitation. Thanks to you all.

Here are some pictures from the party today!

Humans prepping all the exciting treats for the day - including Tatu's favorite: MILK!

Tatu enjoying some of the treats from the party!

Dar stuffed his mouth with three clementines before heading up to the cargo net.

More Sweet Tree Day

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:35:43 -0800

Editor's Note: Audrey is a new Chimp-Care Trainee. She is in the beginning stages of her Chimp-Care training. This is her first Sweet Tree Day with the chimpanzees

Today was a great day to be at CHCI...it was finally SWEET TREE DAY!! Yay!! The wait was finally over for Tatu, Loulis and Dar. We all put up decorations in the east room, with Tatu getting more and more excited to go OUT.

As all of us volunteers gathered in the observation area to watch the chimpanzeess come into the East Room to start Sweet Tree Day!! Loulis went straight for the gingerbread house, ripped the top off and put it in his mouth. Tatu went straight for the meat, cheese and cracker filled baggies, trying to find as many as she could. Dar went to the little picnic area and started drinking all the apple cinder. He then found a lunchables pack, and took off with it to the West Room to try to eat it in private. He enjoyed the Reese's candy first, and then bit into the Capri-Sun juice. Tatu eventually caught up with him, and tried to take it his lunchable. Dar shoved a lot of the cheese and meat pieces into his mouth, then gave Tatu just one piece of cheese, as he quadrupedally walked away, his mouth bulging with snacks.

Later, while Lou was examining his gingerbread house, Tatu tried to steal it, but he oriented himself away from her, and she lost interest.

Dar found a pomegranate, and went up into the cargo net in the east room and held it with his foot, looking pretty sleepy.

Not long after, while I was on berm in the observation area, all three chimps were sleeping. It seems that they had "Sweet Tree'ed" themselves out. Today was a very ''black'' day!!

Sweet Tree Day

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:57:52 -0800

Christmas celebrations abounded at CHCI this morning. Chimpanzees and caregivers alike came together to celebrate with a big party.

There were bags full of meat and cheese, whole pomegranates and tangerines, peppermint candies, sparkling cider, lunchables packs, leeks, and a beautiful gingerbread lighthouse. There were also wrapped toys and plenty of decorations. The chimpanzees had a wonderful party and, after several hours of eating and playing, settled down for a long winter's nap.

Bird Meat day festivities

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:43:30 -0800

Thanksgiving dinner was a huge affair at CHCI. The ovens were going for hours before dinner started, and the chimpanzees were waiting anxiously as the sweet and savory smells of turkey, stuffing, and homemade cranberry sauce filled the building.

Dinner started with an apple cider forage, which elicited many food grunts and squeaks. There was sweet potato casserole, topped with toasted marshmallows, painstakingly arranged by Lani Gusman, rolls fresh from the bakery, green bean casserole with almonds toasted by Missie Cole. The coup de grace was the turkey, roasted to perfection by Lisa Schuster Lyons. Debbie Metzler made the gravy, which was poured over the turkey and potatoes. Madeleine Leake made stuffing and Janie Gibbons freed the cranberry jelly from its can, and sliced it meticulously. Rebecca Hendershott helped with the roasted potatoes and cranberry salad.

For dessert there was a homemade pumpkin pie, baked with love by Robin Potosky, topped with whipped cream

Tatu especially liked the turkey, potatoes, and both cranberry sauces, and had many helpings. Dar ate every roll in sight, and had several helpings of cranberry sauce. Loulis devoured the sweet potato casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauces, and the almonds from the green beans.

Dar and Loulis both enjoyed the pumpkin pie immensely; Dar had two slices!

In the end, everyone seemed to get just what he or she wanted for dinner, and in great quantities. What a party, indeed!

Wish List

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:54:20 -0800

Just in time for the holidays: a list of things that the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Center needs.

Just click the link below and it will take you to an Amazon.com wishlist with many things that can help enrich the lives of the chimpanzees that live at CHCI. You can make a direct impact on the lives of Tatu, Loulis, and Dar. There's something for every budget!

Just click here, or copy/paste the below web address into your address bar.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/DQAKW0M8SXUT

Thank you, and Happy Holidays!