Today is sponsored by Kenneth Epstein in honor of Nicki Walters and in memory of her husband, Bill “Twister” Walters, on his birthday. Kenneth shared this message about today:
“Nicki Walters honored her husband Bill by sponsoring the chimps on his birthday. That beautiful gesture of love inspired me and many of their friends and family to share their love of the chimps. So much so that the Twister structure was built the following year in Bill’s honor. We lost Bill to cancer a few months later but he got to see the chimps play on the structure named after him. While we miss Bill we know that nothing would make him happier than knowing that the chimps are partying in his honor.”
We at CSNW are so thankful for the generosity of Bill, Nicki, and their family and friends. The chimpanzees continue to receive so much joy from their wonderful gift of the “Twister” structure! This morning as the chimps ventured out onto the Hill, Missy raced up the Twister as Jamie and Annie watched from below. When Missy started to climb down from the top she began to do somersaults all the way down, from firehose to firehose! We’ve never seen her do this before! It continues to be a favorite lookout for Jamie to oversee her home, especially during the long summer evenings. The joy the Twister has brought to the chimps is unforgettable, just like Bill.
CSNW had a very busy Sunday! Old friends visiting, our wonderful interns taking ID tests (and killing it!), materials being dropped off from the Chimpanzee and Human Communicate Institute, and of course cleaning. Jamie also received a new pair of boots yesterday, which she is very happy about. In the morning after I gave the chimps access to Young’s Hill, Jamie sprinted through the raceway very pilo and very excited for us to put the boots on and walk around the Hill! Young’s Hill was a hot commodity this morning. It felt like a warm spring day and the chimps were all about it! But at last the cold breeze came and it went back and forth between almost a rain storm and being sunny. The chimps enjoyed their sun while they could and Jamie persevered as usual being the amazing person she is. Here are a collection of photos throughout the day:
Missy ripping around the Hill this morning:
Missy waiting for Annie:
Annie:
Later Annie & Missy basked in the sun, grooming and playing with each others toes:
Jamie our fierce leader:
Missy was backing Jamie up on the Hill, helping with surveillance:
Jamie:
Jody was the gate keeper waiting for everyone to get in safely:
Foxie spending some time with her doll:
This is the sweetest thing!
What a great video! Thank you to all that make such happiness and joy possible!
Love how carefully she turns the pages, careful not to miss one!! Such a beautiful post!! Thank you and hugs and love to you all…..
Jamie is an excellent boss. How else would you know if you are running a tight ship if you didn’t read up on the other sanctuaries! Seriously, Jamie is so fascinating to watch, love her little kiss at the end. I think she approves of Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary. I also like her boot right next to her. 👢 Oh Jamie…..I love you so.
Wow! What a post! Jamie is the most amazing chimp in the universe! I can’t believe that she so carefully turns the pages. I thought she would need board books, but what was I thinking? Not Jamie the super chimp!
what an amazing delightful post. Interesting how she wouldn’t miss a single page and that little kiss at the end touched my heart. I wonder if it was a baby chimp that reminded her of one of the babies they ripped from her hours after each birth. JB thanks for a touching video
Hi Elaine, you question made me go back a watch that endearing kiss one more time and you were right! I watched the video full screen on my computer and Jamie was kissing a photo of a baby bonobo with a bottle in hand!! Jamie is so incredible isn’t she?! Heavy sigh…..
Oh so wonderful…. If you know a librarian, or one of you is able to do it, you can fix/reinforce the book by “tipping in” loose pages. Line the interior edges, which go into the binding very carefully with a strip of white glue (which is non-toxic, I know, I remember eating it as a kid :o) and set the page into the binding. Leave open until it dries completely than close, checking that the page is well-inserted in the binding, and leave under something heavy for a while. I checked and the book is no longer available so you might want to do what you can to keep it from falling apart.
Love you Jamie!
I had an idea as well. Could the pages be laminated then put on a ring binder? Should they become very worn? She is amazing with her book of Bonobos. I saw the kiss at the end but I didn’t catch what it was. She’s sweet to love bonobo babies. Thank you for always informing the public. I think y’all are the best. Merry Christmas to you all, human and ape.
Thanks so much for the suggestions! Jamie is still looking at her book today.
Unfortunately, books don’t last very long no matter what we do. The problem is that they also get wet, they get dirty, the pages get crumpled, etc. But if we get a chance we will certainly try to keep it together!
I am late looking at these posts but I love them just the same. What a wonderful post. Thank you. Love to all.