The chimpanzees have been joined by four new bovine sanctuary residents!
Betsy, Honey, Meredith (Honey’s daughter), and Nutmeg (Betsy’s son) arrived last night.
They came from Farm Sanctuary’s Northern California Shelter, which is closing down. Most of the cattle were moved to Farm Sanctuary’s main location in upstate New York, but there were some that they didn’t want to have to travel that distance. With our additional land purchases in the last few years, we happened to be looking to rescue farmed animals to graze the property surrounding the chimpanzee area just at the right time.
Originally, we thought a fifth cow, Whitaker, would be joining them, but he found a different sanctuary home with a good friend of his and didn’t have to make as long of a trip.
The four new residents at CSNW are very close to one another:
Nutmeg, the only steer (boy) of the group, was born at Farm Sanctuary and has grown up with people who love him and give him scratches, so Anna jumped right into that role today:
They are settling in and getting used to their surroundings with all of the new views (Betsy below):
The corral they are in for the weekend is not directly adjacent to the chimpanzees’ space, but the chimps can see the cattle if they climb up on the the structures, which is just what they did this morning first thing.
Missy:
Foxie:
Jamie:
Four adventurers – Missy, Foxie, Jamie and Annie – all climbed the Esher structure for a view and then seemed to confer with one another:
The way the light was hitting the chimpanzees makes it almost look like they are chimpanzee cut-outs, but I assure you, the photos above are actual chimpanzees on the structure.
No doubt there will be many more days of chimpanzees checking out cattle and vice versa, which will be enrichment for everyone!
We humans are thrilled to have the new residents and will be sharing more about them as they get a chance to further explore their surroundings.
They are beautiful cows. Jerseys, Guernseys? I wonder if Elle will make friends with them…will be interesting to see if she does because, well…they are a little bit more like her than the chimps! 🙂 And of course a little more accessible to sniff noses with! 🙂
Jerseys. Ellie hasn’t been around for a few months – she has a new community that she’s living in lately, but she did grow up around cattle and horses (the horses didn’t seem to be bif fans of her, but the cattle seemed indifferent. There’s quite a large group of deer that has been hanging around here, though!
Thanks for the update! I’ve been wondering about Ellie! Good to know she’s found some of her own to hang with.
I am a member of “The Gentle Barn” in California, and they too have some cows amongst their many animals. They too get lots of hugs, scratches and kisses daily from visitors. What a great addition to the Chimps..
This is So Exciting! They are Beautiful. I love those big eyelashes and that they
are sweet with people and like petting.
Under the pic of Jamie The caption Could be: I didn’t approve of any Cows.
Perfect caption!
Betsy, Meredith, Honey and Nutmeg have found a wonderful home. I’m looking forward to the many interesting times ahead.
What wonderful news. I’m so happy they have found a new home with the chimps. I’m sure the chimps will be spending a lot of time watching these beautiful cows. I’ll be looking forward to some great pictures.??
I love this so much! I have been a longtime follower/fan of Farm Sanctuary and know all about these beauties, especially Nutmeg. What a great addition. And 2 great sanctuaries partenering to do even more good!
Has Nutmeg been neutered (or whatever you call it with cows!) or will be?
At first I couldn’t figure out why you would add cows but of course it makes perfect sense. And cows are so sweet (usually…). And good for the chimps to have new things to ponder.
Yes! Nutmeg is a steer, which is a male who has been neutered. These four are very sweet 🙂
Ab fab news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are gorgeous!! Big too! Love them and their eyes are sublime!!! Happy times now and to come. Love and hugs to you all…
This is soooooo exciting! I am sending a big warm welcome (and scratches!) to Betsy, Honey, Meredith, and Nutmeg. They are beautiful. As Jill stated above, it’s great to see outstanding sanctuaries joining forces and working together to ensure the CA cows found the perfect homes. I can’t wait to learn how they take to your gorgeous surroundings!
So, what do you think the Gang of Four concluded after their meeting?! I am sure Boss Jamie is wondering why she was left out of the loop on this one. Great picks of the observers.
Congrats!
So happy to see the new additions! Can’t wait to see more stories of them and see how the chimps take to them. Keep up the great work you do <3 <3 <3
I am so happy to get this news!!! You people do such GOOD work over there!
Wow! What lucky cattle. Still, I hope that the pan Troglodytes in residence will approve of their presence.
They seemed to be cool with Ellie the Elk and the two horses who have visited, so I hope that they will
at least tolerate the cattle living next door. Of course, it helps that the Cle Elum Seven (and, now, Eleven) are practicing
vegetarians.
LOOOOOVE!!!
It’s wonderful that these 4 cows have found a second happy home. They are beautiful. Hope the chimps like their new neighbors. Thank you for the great work that you do. Hugs to all:)