Last night the chimps got the outdoor area back after being locked out for a couple of days while the raceway was under construction. Foxie was the most curious about the new door and door frame.
The raceway was actually constructed off-site using the caging that we removed when we replaced the caged windows with chimpanzee-proof glass. The welders had to make a hole in the current outdoor area and weld the raceway to it.
Hmmmm…. I wonder if this is any indication of who will be first out of the raceway onto Young’s Hill?
LOL – love the way they’re testing it. 🙂 Wonder how quick the first chimp will scamper out?
is Foxie deputy foreman ? she gave a very thorough inspection ! marvelous how curious they all are 🙂
I was thinking the same thing, Marie! I know they are all smart enough to know the door leads somewhere but I would love to know what they are thinking. I can’t wait to see their inspection of the raceway and Young’s Hill. Their curiosity about any change in their environment is one of the things I love most about chimps.
Quality control!!!!
Have they suggested any improvements? They certainly were giving it a good test.
Annie knew exactly what she was investigating, see her trying to lift the door, very smart girl! I bet the chimps had their noses pressed up to the glass watching every single thing going on.
Questions:
1) How long will the raceway end up being?
2) Will there be another door at the end, going onto the hill?
3) Before the chimps are released onto the ‘hill’, does the ‘hill’ have to be inspected by the USDA or anyone else?
Hi Candy –
1. It will be about 12 feet long (and 4 feet wide and 5 feet tall).
2. No, just the door where it meets the current outdoor area
3. No, the new enclosure will be included in our next routine USDA inspection but we do not need to wait until then to let them out.
Thank, J.B.