We are being gifted with a stretch of incredibly spring-like weather. The mornings start out damp, foggy and cold, but by the afternoon it’s warm, bright and sunny. The humans decided we needed a walk around Young’s Hill as much as Jamie did so we all decided to join her. The sight of a group of their caregivers always gets the chimps excited and often all or most of them will join us. This also gets our resident wild elk friend excited and she decided to tag along as well (though I am pretty sure the chimps attempted to un-invite her). You know, just a chimp family stroll in our own wonderful world at the sanctuary (missing Keri and Elizabeth who are home recovering from colds, and Negra and Foxie who were nesting in the sun).
We all hold so much gratitude in our hearts for this most special and magical of places and all who make it possible. A sanctuary to so many, non-human and human alike.
Anna, Diana, Yuri, Ellie and JB:
Missy and Annie (L) and Ellie and JB waiting for the others to join us:
Missy, Burrito and Jody suggested Ellie walk elsewhere at which point she ran to catch up with the humans:
On a second lap around the hill, Jamie decided to check out the happenings in the neighborhood atop her beloved Twister:
Elaine Reininger says
Love the pictures of Ellie walking alongside you humans.
Cheryl says
you are so lucky to walk with chimps and an elk. How fun!!
Kathleen says
Hi Katelyn, I’d like to ask, when Missy, Burrito and Jody “suggested” Ellie walk elsewhere, how did they express this exactly? Did they make noise, throw things in Ellie’s direction, gesticulate in a particular manner? Would love to know!
Some of my favorite photos you share are taken at the top of the Twister and the Towers. These images of Jamie are wonderful, especially the close-up. Looks to me like she is smiling as she takes in her domain. CSNW is a very beautiful, peaceful place. A lovely place to call home.
Katelyn says
Hi Kathleen, good question and I should have elaborated! The chimps’ behavior toward Ellie varies, but on this occasion it was Jody who became very pilo-erect (hair standing on end for anyone new to the blog/chimp behavior) and walked very quickly toward Ellie with the others following which in chimp lingo in this instance was dominant territorial behavior. Ellie has had the chimps charge her, throw gravel at her, etc and typically doesn’t even react. But in this instance she was startled and ran away from the fence. Missy then paced Ellie all the way around the hill for further backup. 🙂