If you watched the raw video on the KOMO News site, you heard both J.B. and I remark on how small everyone looked on Young’s Hill when they went out. I thought I’d show a few photos that capture that.
The chimps weren’t on the hill today. A couple of bugs in the system presented themselves the other day. J.B. is waiting on some parts to make sure things are running 100% smoothly and is making some other additions while he’s waiting. Since the fence is new to us and to the chimps, we’re being overly cautious and not letting the chimps back on the hill until we have everything worked out. They should be back out early next week. The weather’s been kind of drizzly anyway, so the chimps don’t seem too put off by having some rain days inside and in the covered outdoor area.
We took a LOT of photos and some video over the last week- so we’ll keep sharing!
awww, that’s too bad they can’t go outside again for a week after being able to this week. I am loving all the pics you have posted so far and am really looking forward to any videos you might have taken 🙂
Well, I just think you will have to invest in binoculars for the staff AND the chimps!
They do look TINY! wow Can you believe we’d be saying that one day? How awesome is that? With some rainy days I’m hoping to see some photos of Foxie and Jody again since they like the inside better at the moment. Maybe not getting to go out will be the catalyst for them wanting to go out next week. 🙂
We hope so!
Was Burrito walking the perimeter? Were those bugs discovered by JB or by chimp which brought it to your attention? Until you get the feel of the fence your caution is right where it should be. Was anyone sitting by the runway eager to be let out, and couldn’t because of the problems? Were the Young’s at the release, I hope they were.
I really need to look at that photo closer. The chimpanzee is so tiny, I may have misidentified someone else as Burrito! He has not done a perimeter walk. So far no one seems overly anxious that they don’t have access to the hill, though Missy and Jamie have clearly wanted to go out. The Young’s couldn’t make it out the day the chimps went out.
You guys rock, would love to help out, you are heros and our animal friends need people like you, thank you so much!
thanks cheryl!
Wonderful photos and look forward to seeing the rest as the week unfolds. A few days off might even be a good thing and have them eager to go out again–especially Jody. Can never get enough of them–thank you.
This is what we’re hoping too – a few days without access might create some momentum once the door opens again, which should be by the end of the weekend.
We’ve gotten so spoiled with so many up close and personal pics. Really tho, small chimps means they have so much more space and isn’t that what it’s all about, that and big lenses! Can you imagine chimps in the snow (or not), 2 acres with many inches of snow, maybe everyone will get interested in boots! What might they do? So much to look forward to.
absolutely
I missed the actual event?? Wow how time flies. It was so good to spend some time up there right before they went out though. Hope you get the bugs worked out soon, I can’t imagine a more deserved freedom than what you have built for these seven furry children!
Thanks Chris!!
I was so filled with emotion seeing them go out for the first time, the pictures were wonderful.I went and saw the Jane Goodal movie tonight,she is a shining star and loves Chimps everywhere.She is doing all that she can to save them, just like all of you wonderful people at the sanctuary do.You give many of us hope for our planets animals being saved for future generations to see and love. Thank you
I was concerned by Negra toughing the electric fence. Did she get into a place she shouldn’t have been? I sure hope that doesn’t happen again. Poor thing. Still, wonderful job on the place! It’s so good to see them out in nature. I cried when I saw them going out the door just as I’m sure most of you did. 🙂
Thank you!
It was tough to see Negra touching the fence. She didn’t get into a place that she shouldn’t have been. There are no barriers before the electric fencing. It’s similar to electric fences as most African sanctuaries. The chimps learn pretty quickly and get used to sitting near it, but they know not to touch it. It seems that the other chimps at CSNW learned pretty quickly even with just the test fencing J.B. installed. Hopefully Negra gets it now – she hasn’t touched it since the first day.
When they first went out, they looked so fuzzy to me. I’m wondering if that is one of those “it makes me look big” things, like standing upright. Can they really do that at will?
You are right. The fuzzy look is technically called “pilo erect” which just means hair standing on end. They don’t do it at will, but it happens when they are excited, displaying or otherwise “high arousal” (another common term in chimpanzee behavior nomenclature.
Awwww….Burrito looks like a baby!! Thanks so much for everything you’ve done guys : )
I can’t wait until it snows and the chimps have access to the great outdoors. Will they play in the snow or not go outside because of the cold?
They don’t tend to like to walk in the snow, but they love to eat it. It’s going to be interesting to see what they do. We’ll probably have to make some pathways for them.
Keep posting those photos and videos…we love seeing the chimps, even looking small, outside in the grass and under the sky without the bars!