You’ve probably noticed that all of us here at CSNW get excited when the chimps are out on Young’s Hill. Knowing that they lived for decades in small cages in a windowless basement, we celebrate every minute that they can feel the warmth of the sun on their backs, the dampness of the grass beneath their feet, or the cool breeze through their hair.
This year, it’s been all about Negra. Every chimpanzee does things in her own way, and in her own time, and Negra tends to approach things much more slowly and cautiously than the others. But this spring, she has found her confidence out on the hill. She is often the first one out the door in the morning, and sometimes the only one out in the afternoon. She loves eating her breakfast, or handfuls of spring grass, in the shade of the bamboo or one of the many climbing structures.
This morning, we were thrilled to see her try something she hasn’t done before. She crawled into the underground tunnel and stayed there for about 15 minutes while snacking on grass and dandelion leaves. Every once and a while she’d pop out to grab more grass and then retreat to her hiding spot.
Sometimes, when you provide captive chimpanzees with choices, they’ll surprise you. For a while, we thought that Negra would choose to stay indoors in bed as the other chimps frolicked outside. But when she was ready, she chose to join them.
But as Negra spends more and more time on the hill, it’s worth noting that none of the Cle Elum Seven spend their entire day outside.
In the morning, it’s common to see all seven chimps on the hill, whether we put their breakfast out there or not. Today, Foxie took a Dora and a troll on her morning adventure.
And Missy defied gravity, as she often does.
But when they’ve had enough playing and exploring, the chimps usually head back inside for a nap. They could choose to build a nest outside, but they seem to prefer napping indoors.
The greenhouse is everyone’s favorite spot year round. In the winter, they might wrap themselves up in a blanket on the second level of the platform, where it is warmest. But on a hot day like today, it’s common to see most of the group sprawled out on the lower platforms. They don’t like to be outside in the direct sun for too long, but they love the heat in the greenhouse. It’s like a sauna.
When the chimps want to relax and let their guard down, I think they feel more secure in an environment that is more familiar to them – one that has four walls and a roof.
And I think they also like to keep an eye on what the humans are doing. While we clean the playroom in the morning, Burrito often sits in the window of the greenhouse, watching us. Burrito was raised by humans, so it’s no surprise that he likes to be part of our world and keep up with what we’re doing. But more importantly, he wants to see what kind of food we are going to put out in the playroom once it’s cleaned. One track mind, that guy.
Sometimes the chimps just want to be alone, so you will occasionally find someone in the front rooms while we are cleaning the playroom. This morning, Diana put on some boots for Jamie, and after they walked around the hill she gave them to her. Jamie wore one of the boots to bed and rested her head on the other.
It can be hard to separate your own ideas of what’s best for the chimps from their ideas of what’s best for themselves. On days like today, when it’s 86 degrees and sunny and Jamie is sleeping on the floor inside, I feel like a parent whose kids are inside playing video games on a beautiful day. But that’s a silly way to think. The chimps are most certainly not our kids; in fact, most of them are older than me. And after all, what’s the point of sanctuary if not to give them choices?
I love reading these Blogs. THe Chimps do it all – in their time.
Thank you so much J.B. for the sneak peek of chimps home from different perspectives.
They certainly have if good. Every sanctuary across USA and Fauna are very unique ,, and so different ,, yet they all serve the chimps needs excellently. Jamie must truly admire and love Diana ,, for Jamie to treasure the boots as she did and sleep with the, wow, that’s an honor. from Jamie,
If I did not know any better, I’d say,Missy may have been in the circus, she has some stellar acrobatic skills and moves,
Negra looks so at peace and so beautiful in the first pic. I’m so happy, Negra has found her own rhythm on Youngs Hill. Timing is everything!
This was a great post! Some of it brought tears to my eyes…..but thank you for sharing and helping us learn more about how the seven are growing and learning in their new(ish) habitat. I love what I do to help them!!
I love these chimpanzees. I love the humans who take care of them and make sure their needs are met. That always means letting them be who they are and letting them grow and become who they are. After decades of confinement and having no say in their lives it is just fascinating to watch them grow and make decisions. Negra in the tunnel, my heart melted.
Beautiful post, J.B.! I always look forward to them. That Missy totally cracks me up. I love her spirit! It warms my heart to know that Negra is progressing in her own way and at her own speed. I guess that’s what choices are all about.
Love, love, loved your post J.B. You always write awesome stories, and information about the awesome CE7. I too am so happy that Negra has come out of her shell, is adventuring out more , and feeling much more confident. I love Foxie. She is one of my gals. It cracks me up each time I see her with her trolls. She is such a good mommy. Missy walking the tight rope is awesome. Jamie is special. She cracks me up as well. I loved all the pictures, but I must say, “I think the photo of Jamie is precious, and priceless.” Thanks for sharing J.B.
Really well-expressed post, J.B.
I told my mother about Jamie’s shenanigans with the boots and how she got you guys to put them on and walk around the fence with her. She then asked if when the boots were given back to Jamie if she wore them. I said I didn’t know but here’s proof in today’s blog that she does!! What a character! What was my pal Annie doing while all the others were doing their thing?
Annie was out on the hill eating breakfast with the other in the morning, and for the rest of the day, she basically went wherever Missy went. They’d go to the top of the hill for grass and dandelions, and then back to the greenhouse to groom or nap.
Thank you J.B. for taking the time to let me know about Annie!! Love all the Chimps but Annie is a little extra special to me. 😉
Thank you for the great stories which give us a glimpse into the lives of these wonderful beings. I wonder if you all have considered putting up some webcams so that those of us who care about these chimps from afar might be able to check in on them as we go about our day?
Our internet connection out here in the country is too slow, too unreliable, and has too small of a data cap to allow us to have webcams. Plus, with over 80,000 square feet of enclosure space, it would be difficult to put up enough cameras to catch the chimps on a regular basis.
One reason why I personally prefer photos and videos on the blog to webcams is that we are able to educate and provide context to what people see the chimps doing, which is difficult to do on a 24hr webcam. But it’s possible that if we ever get a better internet connection, we could find a way to incorporate webcams into our education and outreach program.
Gorgeously written and photographed ~ got me all weepy, but in a good way. THANK YOU!
The last picture with Jamie is a hoot. Jamie just chillin’ out with her boots. 🙂
Gorgeous post as always, JB. I do have to say, however, that Jamie looks like quite the diva in that last shot.
This is my favorite post! The picture express so much too. Thank you!
JB you have such a way with words that expresses the emotions going on with the actions. Thank you. And you really stated it well when you likened us and them to kids with videos and us wanting them outside. Well put! And such a good short definition of sanctuary.
It is so good to hear about Negra a well. You go girl!!!! And thank you for catching us up on the others.
JB, you rock!