KOMO News posted some of the raw footage of the chimps going onto the hill!! We can’t wait to see the edited story tonight at 11pm and tomorrow at 6pm. In the meantime – watch this: http://www.komonews.com/home/video/130471343.html
Archives for September 2011
Go Annie!
Reassurance
As I mentioned earlier, we’ve been putting forages out on the hill to encourage the chimps to go out. Negra will do anything for lettuce, so we’ve been using trails of lettuce leaves to lead her across the log bridge to the lowest platform. Tonight she climbed to the top of the platform for what I think was the first time.
On her way back she heard something that startled her. Determined to stay with her lettuce, she sought reassurance from a caregiver from afar, and then from Jamie who approached from below.
Negra amazes me. Imagine the courage that it takes to venture out into the wide open after living 35+ years in cages scarcely bigger than your own body. I am thrilled to see her on that hill.
Missy
So far Missy is the star of Young’s Hill. She is completely at home out there and already has her favorite spots picked out. There’s the two structures connected by a fire hose ladder at the top of the hill, which provide a great vantage point:
Then when she needs to rest in the shade, she heads down to the hammock:
Many of you already know that Missy loves to jump. She’s already discovered the best place for that:
We’ve been putting out forages on the hill each morning to entice some of the more hesitant chimps to venture out. Negra came out three times this morning and even did some lounging under one of the platforms. Jody is still too scared to go out, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been able to enjoy the forages. This morning, we watched Missy walk bipedally down the hill with her arms full of food. When she got to the greenhouse, she dumped it all in the front of Jody and took only one piece for herself. Jody was very pleased.
Watch Seattle’s KOMO 4 Sunday
The national broadcast of the chimps’ going onto the hill is still up in the air, but I did receive confirmation from Eric Johnson of KOMO 4 that they will air the story Sunday night at 11:00pm and it will re-air Monday at 6pm. So, for those in the Seattle area, set your DVRs and come to the blog after you watch it to tell us your impressions.
It was a pretty emotional day and we were lucky that the film crews were gracious, understanding and also really excited to witness the chimpanzees taking their first steps onto Young’s Hill.
Here’s a photo of 2/3 of the Young’s Hill clique. Maybe tomorrow someone else will join Burrito, Missy and Jamie in exploring the wide-open part of their home.
A good friend
Annie didn’t go outside at all yesterday, but she must have been psyching herself up all night because this morning she was ready to bolt out the door. She made her way up the log bridge to one of the lower climbing structures and climbed to the top. After a few minutes of bravery, she was ready to head back to the comfort and safety of the greenhouse. That may have been enough for one day.
Missy has been a good friend these last few days. She is completely at ease on the hill, but she often waits by the end of the tunnel for Annie to join her before she heads out, knowing that Annie needs someone to rely on. But Missy is not going to deprive herself of enjoying Young’s Hill, so if Annie won’t join her, she heads out on her own.
This morning, Missy was by herself on one of the structures at the top of the hill. Back down in the playroom, there was a moment of tension in the group and Annie let out an anxious scream. According to Jackie, Debbie, and Lisa, Missy heard the scream and immediately ran full speed down the hill to the building and into Annie arms.
Jamie on the Rock
No word yet on an air date for the national news piece. It could be a little while. We will definitely let everyone know when we hear!
I was just looking through some photos from yesterday. After lunch Jamie spent some time on the Treat Rock and I snapped a couple of photos of her investigating.
Even though I took the photo and saw this in person, it’s still a little unreal that the chimpanzees are now on Young’s Hill. They look so small out there, and so natural. I can’t wait to see what they do today!