• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

  • Our Family
    • The Chimpanzees
    • The Cattle
  • Blog
  • About Us
    • Visiting the Sanctuary
    • Philosophy
      • FAQs
      • Mission, Vision & Goals
      • Privacy Policy
    • The Humans
      • Staff
      • Board of Directors
      • Founder
    • Annual Reports
    • The Future of CSNW
    • CSNW In The News
  • You can help
    • Donate
      • Transfer Stock
      • Give from your IRA
      • Be a Chimpanzee Pal
      • Be a Bovine Buddy
      • Sponsor-a-Day
      • Be a Produce Patron
      • Personalized Stones
      • Bring Them Home Campaign
    • Leave A Legacy
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Volunteer
    • See Our Wish List
    • Events
  • Resources
    • About Chimpanzees
    • Enrichment Database
    • Advocacy
      • Apes in Entertainment
        • Trainers
        • Role of the AHA
        • Greeting Cards
      • Chimpanzees as Pets
      • Roadside Zoos
      • Chimpanzees in Biomedical Research
      • Conservation
        • African Apes
        • Orangutans
  • Shop
    • Merchandise Store
    • Bookstore
  • Contact
  • Donate

Brave is brave

September 27, 2016 by Katelyn

Burrito’s courage might not always present as it does in many male chimpanzees, but I don’t think that makes it any less brave or valid. In fact, for a guy who spent the first 25 years of his life powerless to the whims of humans, living in fear and uncertainty with no respect for his needs or nature, and deprived of the nurturing and modeling that should have come from living with his chimp family, he shows endless courage every day.

It’s taken Burrito awhile to feel comfortable walking the perimeter of Young’s Hill with Jamie and investigating the climbing structures. With each passing year he’s taken further steps outside his comfort zone. When Burrito does decide to put himself out there on the structures, he still seems uncertain of his chimp status and moves very cautiously, hanging onto the fire hose or railings for security, sometimes fear grimacing the whole way, and often looking longingly back toward the safety and comfort of the chimp house. But he still gives it a go.

It’s not uncommon now for him to bring up the rear behind Jamie during our walks, but when she makes her routine stop to climb the Twister and check out the neighborhood, Burrito typically waits patiently below until Jamie says it’s time to move on. So on this occasion my heart swelled to see him decide to climb up the structure behind her.

Brave B:

web_burrito_hanging_onto_twister_climb_cautiously_kd_img_7190

web_burrito_climb_twister_kd_img_7185

web_burrito_climb_twister_sit_under_jamie_kd_img_7188

web_burrito_sit_twister_look_down_kd_img_7186

web_burrito_sit_twister_hang_on_look_camera_kd_img_7187

web_burrito_sit_twister_bite_toy_hang_on_kd_img_7189

Feeling safe for the moment Burrito found a moment to look up at the sky and take in his home from up there, seemingly in awe:

web_burrito_sweet_look_up_at_sky_wind_blowing_hair_kd_img_7191

Our hearts are full of gratitude to you all for giving Burrito, and each of the chimps, the space for their hearts and spirits to soar and be brave.

Share
Tweet
Share
Pin
BurritoSanctuaryYoung's Hill

Share

Share
Tweet
Share
Pin

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kathleen polletta says

    September 27, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    Good for you Burrito. It takes so much more courage to do something when you feel afraid and insecure.

  2. PatC says

    September 27, 2016 at 8:04 pm

    oh my goodness look how high he climbed. yay Mr B!!! xoxoxox

  3. Kathleen says

    September 27, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    Oh that first photo looks as if Burrito is hanging on for dear life, brave Mr. B! But then I scrolled to photos 4, 5, 6, and 7 and I can’t get past that look on his face, sheer awe. Took my breath away. (You guys are just killing me with these posts lately, between “Welcoming Autumn”, “Negra Unleashed” and now this.) How lucky you are to be able to witness these amazing moments! Can’t even express how much these photos have touched me.

    I’ll share a favorite quote :
    “And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” ~ Anais Nin

    • Katelyn says

      September 27, 2016 at 9:18 pm

      Love Anais, thanks for sharing, Kathleen. And thanks for witnessing these amazing moments from afar. Even so, we know you’re right here with them. 🙂

  4. diane d. says

    September 27, 2016 at 9:54 pm

    OH FREEDOM!

  5. Althea says

    September 28, 2016 at 3:20 am

    “I did it!!”

  6. Kathleen Klueh says

    September 28, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    What a wonderful view.????????????

  7. Liz says

    October 2, 2016 at 9:26 am

    It is amazing how far he has come and great to see him enjoying life

  8. Katherine says

    October 23, 2016 at 7:10 pm

    It’s fascinating to watch them begin to do things that are instinctive even though they’ve never been taught to do them, that we know of. I feel triumphant for them. I feel happy that they’ve gotten a second chance at life. Good job, Burrito!

Previous Post
Taking In The View, Together
Next Post
Tiny chimp, big world

Primary Sidebar

Archives

Calendar of Blog Posts

September 2016
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930  
« Aug   Oct »

Categories

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Footer

PO Box 952
Cle Elum, WA 98922
[email protected]
509-699-0728
501c3 registered charity
EIN: 68-0552915

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest Nonprofit Overview and Reviews on GreatNonprofits

Menu

  • The Chimpanzees
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • You can help
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Donate

Proud Member of

Connect With Us

Search

Copyright © 2020 Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. All Rights Reserved. Site by Vegan Web Design