I know you all are waiting and want an update with video. We had media crews out today and we are going to wait until they air their story before sharing videos, so we’re not scooping them. I’ll let you know as soon as I do when that might be. It won’t be before late tomorrow at the earliest. I’m sure you will agree it’s worth the wait in order to see the chimps on national television.
All of the chimps ventured out. Foxie walked the entire perimeter of the enclosure, then went inside. Jamie explored all of the climbing structures, Burrito seems quite comfortable out there, Jody went out but is a little hesitant, Missy ran through her tunnel a few times and has been carrying a frozen watermelon in and out, Negra was really happy about the lettuce and just chowed down, Annie went in the hammock and has probably spent the most time of anyone out there.
So, here are a couple of photos. More written updates to come!
Negra enjoying her lettuce
Annie & Missy – friends on Young’s Hill
That’s just what this Annie would do (myself)…..hit the hammock and just stay there. 🙂
Great that they all went out and some stayed. Made for good video, I bet.
wonderful ! thank you for getting this on the blog so quickly 🙂 xxx
Thats funny about Foxie. Checking out what all the fuss has been been about; checking to see how much more free space she’ll have and then, ok, I’m done. After three years of frequent if not regularly checking in on them, now we’ll have another chance at seeing the happy retirement of these gals (and guy) get even happier.
Interesting, isn’t it, that Foxie checked out the perimeter of the play room the first time she went in there too.
Thank you Diana. This is such a happy day. Two questions…..did anyone touch the electric fence? I hope JB’s show and tell gave them the information they needed. Secondly, would you let us know which media were there so that we know which channels to watch.
What a wonderful day!!!! Thank you for the post Diana and as much as I want to see the video yes, you are right to wait. And WOW!! On national TV. Yes please let us know so I can let relatives and friends know back east.
I loved the pictures you posted and could almost feel the breeze and excitement in the air. This will be a wonderful anniversary to celebrate!
I just knew Annie was going to like it out there from the get-go. I’m so happy she’s enjoying it (and proving me right). 🙂
Yes, thank you for the update, Diana! We know you are all so busy today, and needed full-time by the chimps to make sure they are happy and feel safe.
We were on pins and needles waiting. Smiling from ear to ear right now for the CE7. <3
Diana/JB – I am so happy to read this and see the photos. You two are doing such wonderful work for the chimps and I know that this is a dream come true for all of you.
How amazing to see them in the wide outdoors! They are definitely taking it all in and having a great time! It brings tears to my eyes, to see them so comfortable in their new surroundings
Actually got teary-eyed reading the descriptions of everyone’s reaction to going outside for the first time. What a Very Happy Day!
Great day, good for them!
A lot of hard work and love went into this project.
What an amazing day for all involved! I can’t wait to see the videos. Thank you all for what you do for these creatures. They are finally blessed with open space and grass under their feet, not to mention a termite mound! Did you need your hankies after all? : )
The pictures you all will be getting will be outstanding, now you can really use the telephoto lens you got a while back. Can’t wait. I’m working late, but have tears waiting to flow when I see the videos tomorrow. I didn’t know about the national tv coverage, right on! I’m so proud of all our chimps, and I agree, they look very relaxed in their new environment. I’m so proud of Foxie getting out there.
What I noticed about the chimps is the sun shining down on their beautiful black, healthy coats. Never again will they have the shadows of the mesh on them, it’s unobstructed sunlight. Beautiful to see!!!
I used the camera with that lens all day today, Candy- and I got some incredible shots! 🙂 Thank you for giving us such an incredible asset for all the Young’s Hill blog posts to come!! WOOOHOOOO!
Gosh, I can’t WAIT to hear more (like in GREAT DETAIL more) :)…but until then, here is something else that makes me smile…
Check out the 10-day forecast for the opening of Young’s Hill! Woo-hoo! Thank you Chimp-Weather-Gods!
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Cle+Elum+WA+98922?role=
Annie and Missy with a background of grass and sun without bars or concrete is nothing short of a miracle. This is such a happy day with lots of smiles thru tears. I think my “refresh” click telepathically knew where to go today. A very memorable day, the culmination (and the beginning) of lots of generosity, hard work and love!
Hugs all around!
Oh….HAPPY DAY. tra la la la….God bless the chimps and all who love them so dearly. I know I will fall asleep tonight with a BIG smile on my face.
This is a very very very very great day. Thank you to EVERYONE who made this possible. I am only sorry I could not be there to see it in person.
Blessings on everyone! The day has arrived. Brings tears of joy.
Me too, Helen!!
awww, that pic of Negra and the one of Missy and Annie are so beautiful in the sunlight. Can’t wait to see the video 🙂
so awesome to see this come to fruition!! amazing job everyone and WOOHOOO for the chimps <3
A perfect day for the fabulous 7 and their care takers. Thank you for keeping us updated and we enjoy every bit of news and views! Look forward to seeing the videos. They will be tired chimps tonight looking forward to their night bags!
From Karen….Hallejuah! Hallelujah! When our precious “Seven” were being transported cross country to their Cle Elum home I kept thinking of Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” and imagining it playing as I visualized every turn of their vehicle’s wheels. It was wonderful to think of this as the hours passed by bringing them closer. Today I imagine that music playing as they pass through “their raceway” heading to Young’s Hill! What a glorious achievement made possible by the Young’s and others charitable, generous financial donations and by J.B.’s amazing work to create the hill’s enclosure and it’s enrichment facilities. To all of you, my heartfelt “Didn’t You Know You Are My Heroes?”. This includes, of course, all the staff at the sanctuary. With Great Respect and Great Love Karen
oh wow! they all went out! i’m soooo excited for them! wa-hoo and wee-ha!
What a special day… am so happy that all the chimps felt safe and secure enough to be able to venture into this next phase of their life in sanctuary – and so happy for all the staff and caregivers that all went so well and now everyone can begin to settle into this new and wonderful routine.
Thank you so much for the first pictures and stories – and look forward to all the exciting things to come!
What an amazing day…truly a dream come true…thanks to all of you who helped to make this possible!!!
Thanks Diana for sharing this!!! I can´t wait to see the video as I won´t be able to watch it on your National television, as I´m almost from the other side of the world :p
Hope you and your crew enjoyed with the chimps. I´m sure they did when that door was opened!!
I was SO happy to see the photos. Thanks and congratulations to everyone! It gives me great hope for our future and comfort to know other people out there love and care for our primate brothers and sisters. Terrific job!
I have tears in my eyes just looking at the photos – can’t imagine how I’ll feel when the video airs!
Glad that the chimps will get some more tv exposure (more people will be affected by this story!) Oh, Foxie, she cracks me up! So happy for all of them, and THANK YOU for making this possible!
Just to see the sun on them! OMG!
Well, I’m sitting here all teary eyed now just looking at 2 pictures. I’m going to be just bawling when I see the video. I’m just ecstatic. I can’t get the image of Missy running through her tunnel with watermelon out of my head : ) Thank you all so much for making this happen for our 7!!!
Hallelujah is right!! Can Not Wait to see the video…just seeing the photos brought tears to our eyes!
Much love to you all!!
I have to say I’m surprised (and thrilled) that Negra has really taken to the outdoors – going right out on day 1 and staying out the latest on night 1, and in this photo she really looks much more alert and bright than she usually does. She’s smiling at that lettuce! I know she started out in the wild but I was wondering if it was so long ago that it’s barely a distant memory, or maybe this is a natural extension of the freedom of her environment for the past three years. I just can’t wait to see more photos!