The chimpanzees have been remarkably nonchalant about the giant wing that was added on to their building this spring. Curious at times for sure, but for the most part just going about their days as usual. With the exception of Annie.
Ever since that day last year when we moved the trailer away from the barn doors in preparation for construction to begin, Annie has spent time at those doors peering in, as she is in this photo (she’s the one standing up), or just sitting next to the doors, listening:
The other chimpanzees have been tuned in when something really interesting and new happens, like at the end of January when the hydraulic door on the other side of the barn doors was operated for the first time:
Today though, it was Missy who was spending quite a bit of time hanging out near that doorway to the unknown.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, she did not spend the whole day camped out there. She had other things to do:
I’d love to know what Missy is thinking, what all of the chimpanzees are thinking, about what awaits them on the other side of that door.
Missy has no idea that next month she will be able to look through that door and see the face of her 30 year-old daughter, Honey B. We have the same question as everyone else – will they feel a connection to one another?
They spent less than 24 hours together when Honey B was born to Missy at the Laboratory for Experimental and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP), so it would be extraordinary if they recognized each other by sight. Chimpanzees’ sense of smell is just about as lousy as ours, so that’s not going to help them know each other. It really is like a human mom and baby who were separated at birth. Maybe there will be some kind of connection that even they don’t understand; or maybe it will be the same as Missy with Mave and Willy B – strangers (as far as we know) meeting for the first time.
There are a lot of unknowns.
What is certain is that the chimpanzees are ever more curious about what is going to happen on the other side of that door. Tonight when I went in to the playroom to spot clean I discovered that someone had used a willow branch as a tool to reach a lock on that door.
Soon, chimpanzees, soon.
Boy, you give Jamie an iPad, and she starts looking up lock-picking tutorials…
oh my goodness, Linda, your comment made me laugh so hard!
Soon, too, Chimp Fans, soon, we will share the joy of the reasons for expansion. So excited for EVERYONE!!! hugs & hoots!
Very funny Linda! You bet.
This will be quite something when the new kids on the block arrive. It is thrilling and anxiety producing as well because there are so many unknowns. Every one, human and ape will have to adjust to a new reality and that will take time until it becomes old hat. Look at how long it took the 7 to adjust to Young’s hill. I will never forget the day that they lined up like school kids in single file to go outside, some for the first time. They were so brave and trusting. We can’t wait to meet the new and the very lucky Cle Elum 3!
One might guess they are thinking the mystery space is going to be a new play room for them? What lies behind the door is nothing like laying your eyes on the Twister for the first time (although that was super awesome) or the bovines. What will they think when the tunnel walkways are added to the outside?! Oh Annie, prepare yourself you beautiful brave girl.
Diana, do you lay awake at night thinking about it all? I would. The fact that you were so very fortunate to be able to relocate Honey B to be with Missy is extraordinary. No matter what happens initially, I hope with time those two find friendship, comfort, and a new bond of family between them. That goes for all the chimps. I am so excited for those resilient precious beings.
“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind”. ~ C.S.Lewis
Thanks for this quote. I’ve been having a lot of trouble moving through grief at losing 2 cats within months of each other in 2017, and I realised last week that God has better things and times ahead for me. This is just another confirmation of that. Plus, I love C.S. Lewis. <3
Thanks again.
Cheers.
I believe Missy already has a knowing the Universe is reconnecting her with Honey B. and they will both feel drawn to each other.
I believe that too Holly Melissa… not “science” that we humans can find proof for (yet) but the images that our own pets can pick up from our thoughts is amazing… so I believe as you do. It is concerning and fascinating to wonder how they will all respond to each other. Very exciting!!!!
I believe that too Holly Melissa. It is not a part of “science” that we humans can prove (yet) .. but it is amazing how our own pets can pick up images from our thoughts… so who is to say it is not possible? It is concerning and exciting to think about how they will all respond to each other. and VERY EXCITING!!!
This post made me so emotional. I wish she could recognize Honey B and visa versa. What a great story!
The excitement builds! I so hope that “The Mother and Child Reunion” will work out well for all concerned. “It’s only a heartbeat away…”
Your reference to that Paul Simon song is poetic to the second power. It is lovely to pair the image of them with that song, as a human comfort–even knowing we must patiently await to see how their encounter unfolds.
I have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat reading about just what is about to happen and reading the posts. No matter how it goes down, these new chimps are coming to a fantastic new home, with everything they could ever imagine having. I cannot wait to see their faces. Welcome Home, kiddos.
I can only imagine the excitement to see if Missy and Honey B will reconnect and know their
relationship. I feel they will, primates being intelligent and in many ways like humans, that something
will bring them together as family. If this does happen I can’t imagine how many happy tears will flow
at the sanctuary for mom and her baby to be together. I will pray for this and look
forward to hearing about that. I have tears right now just thinking about the possibility.