Hank the hawk continues to use the sanctuary as his hunting grounds. But while the chimps were once scared of him, some of them are starting to enjoy having him around, if only for the excitement that he provides.
This morning, Missy was sitting quietly on a climbing structure on Young’s Hill.
Foxie was nearby, with troll in hand.
Missy approached Foxie and reached out her hand, holding it under Foxie’s chin.
Then suddenly, she stood up, climbed down the ladder, and swung on the fire hose.
She leaped off the fire hose and into a full sprint toward the top corner of Young’s Hill, where the hawk had been perched just days before.
As soon as she reached the top, she turned and ran back to the climbing structure.
And swung on the fire hose again.
The other chimps took notice of Missy’s antics and started to move towards the top of the hill. Missy continued jumping, leaping, and tight rope walking while they gathered.
They began to congregate on the platform closest to the top of the hill.
They all looked around for any sign of the hawk.
Finally, Jody walked toward the corner to get a better look.
But Jody, it seems, does not share Missy’s sense of adventure. Not yet, at least.
For now, she’d rather play it safe.