Posts by Ali Crumpacker
Behavior Training Journey: Big Things Have Small Beginnings
Having a structured and customized animal behavior training program is very important, and that’s what Behavior Coordinator Kris Pritchard is working to develop at Project Chimps.
Read MoreMeet Kevin – twin, drummer & shy around girls
Kevin, a mid-sized chimp with pale speckles on his chin, seemed nervous when it came time to meet some of the female chimps who lived nearby.
Read MoreMeet Thomas – large, long and lanky
At 150 pounds, 16-year-old Thomas is a large chimp. “He’s got a long, lanky build—more like a bonobo,” says caregiver Fred Rubio, “and a big patch of gray hair on his back, like a silver back gorilla.” Thomas is emerging as one of the more dominant and respected chimps in his group, says Fred, who holds a Masters in Primate Behavior from Central Washington University.
Read MoreChimps Ahoy: Hierarchy and Roles – Part 1 of 3
Chimpanzees are complex. Their social group dynamics thrive off the strength of their interconnecting web of relationships known as hierarchy. At Project Chimps, caregivers use three “levels” of hierarchy to help them discuss such a dynamic web: high-ranking, mid-ranking, and low-ranking.
Read MoreChimps Ahoy: Hierarchy and Roles – Part 2 of 3
The Chimps Ahoy group was really fun to watch! A majority of my time was spent watching a lot of grooming and napping—the two most common affiliative behaviors. This may seem like an uneventful behavior to some, but I got plenty of information on the relationships that the chimps had with each other.
Read MoreChimps Ahoy: Hierarchy and Roles – Part 3 of 3
From the beginning of my internship, we had our eyes on Justin and Rocko as possible enforcer candidates. Justin and Rocko are very dominant chimps that would usually be found around Kirk to show their high rank status.
Read MoreSomething for Everyone
Here at Project Chimps, there is something for everyone who wants to get involved. Nobody knows this better than Jan Russell, 72, who has always wanted to help animals and found an opportunity here.
Read MoreMural in the Making: If There’s a Will, There’s a Wave
Sometimes in life you have to go with the flow and let the sea set you free. That’s one theme that emerged for artist and staff member Sari Morand, in Project Chimp’s latest mural at Chateau.
Read MoreWhen is a Koi Pond More Than a Pond?
When arriving at Project Chimps, our koi pond is one of the first sights to greet you. It is a haven for many species and its unique color has everyone asking—why is it that color?
Read MoreEnrichment Committee Facilitator: Meet Human Jill
Project Chimps has amazing donors that bring, or send, items we use for making our enrichment. The chimps receive a morning enrichment, a themed enrichment, and evening enrichment daily. Many of these items are made from your everyday “trash” that we in turn treasure. Learn more about the Enrichment Committee today.
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