You guessed it – Willy B, Mave, and Honey B are incredible, and we are all newly in love with them with each passing hour. It’s hard to believe they’ve only been here a few days from Wildlife Waystation.
Click on the video above for some recent clips of the three, and stay tuned for a video of their journey to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, which we will be showing as part of the Summer Biddin’ online auction that beings August 28th!
Willy B is starting to relax enough to play games of chase and was seen playing with a plastic slinky today. He loves watching videos and looking at photos on our phones. He seems to particularly like photos of Jody. Despite his grand entrance seen in the video he hasn’t been displaying very much. We suspect his displays will increase when he is able to see the other chimpanzees through the howdy door.
Mave, at least on the outside, appears to be most relaxed chimpanzee I’ve ever met. She was even making a nest and lying on her back during the transport! Today, she discovered troll dolls and carried one around with her this morning, tucking it into her pelvic pocket before greeting J.B. She has a way of casually shuffling across the new floors that makes it seem like she’s wearing slippers.
We’ve been told that Honey B is uber smart, and we’re definitely seeing glimpses of that. She has a way of looking right into your soul. She is a very enthusiastic groomer with her new human friends and is very excited when she finds a scab. She’s decided the mezzanine is the place to be and has been nesting up there at night using everything available.
There’s so much more for us to learn about these three chimpanzees, and we’re so glad to have all of you following along so you can get to know them too.
Nancy says
Thank you for sharing the video of the 3 new chimps. I enjoy following their progress & I’m looking forward to watching them joining the other 7. They watch out the window probably dreaming of what it would be like to wonder outdoors. I have followed the 7 chimps since they arrived at the sanctuary & watched on TV when they went outside for the 1st time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what your doing.
Diana says
Thank you, Nancy! How great that you’ve been following for so long and can now follow this new chapter! We are incredibly thankful for everyone’s support.
Kathleen says
Thank you so much for taking time from your busy day to compile this video. Fun seeing the gang in motion! Honey B scrubbing away reminded me of Jamie. In a funny sort of way, Honey B reminds me of a mixture of mother Missy and BFF Annie. Mave is beyond scrumptious! I love that Willy B and Honey B are fascinated by the trains, Negra will have friends with shared interests! It is all so fascinating, they appear so comfortable already but I am sure it must be very unusual finding yourself in a totally new environment after being in one place for so long. I hope they know how very lucky they are to be with you, if they don’t they will with time. It all takes my breath away……
PatC says
Thank you for this video update. Have been excitedly waiting for this. No surprise they are settling in – CSNW is a place filled with love!
Jojo says
Thank you for making that video. Seeing them brought tears of joy to my eyes tonight. It’s cute Willy B likes seeing pics of Jody.
Veronica says
I love what you all do at the sanctuary and I love that the 7 and additional 3 are given the freedom to decide what they do for the day and for the rest of their lives. Does Honey B, Mave and Willie B love the night bags as much as the others?
Diana says
They certainly like the night bags, but haven’t grown to love them as much as the seven yet 🙂
Marcia says
Do you suppose the 7’s enjoyment of the night bags has to do with the predictablility and evening timing of the bags? The night bags seem to be soothing and maybe a cue to settle and get comfy for the night. What would the 3’s food situation have been like before coming to you? Also wondering if there is any chance that Willie B has met Jodi?
Thank you so much for this video. The human vocalization in the video is momentary, yet I can clearly hear the great love, satisfaction and wonder in those moments. The evidence of this is clear in the stress free faces of the three as well as the 7 in this transitional phase. You are clearly doing an amazing job and deserve every joyful moment.
CeeCee says
This is all so exciting !
The scrubbing reminded me a lot of Jamie too, like when she was sanding a new dry wall
spot after JB had fixed it. Maybe its a sign of being a smarty pants !
I can’t wait til they can all meet, Have the new three seen the Cows yet ?
Trains aren’t all that’s exciting at their new home 🙂
Diana says
Honey B and Jamie do seem to share some smarty pants traits! The new three haven’t seen the cows yet – they are on the opposite side of the building right now. It will be so fun to see them get the full view!
Julie Harding says
My eyes are filled with tears of joy and my heart is leaping out of my chest! Thank you for bringing these three beautiful beings to CSNW!
Diana says
Ours too. Thanks for being a part of the sanctuary family, Julie!
Linda says
Oh, thanks for posting, Diana!
Well I can see that definitely Willy B would be the one in charge here!
Hmm….hope things between him and The Boss can be smoothed out….
Can’t wait ’til they finally get the chance to go outside and explore! Hopefully, it won’t be too cold yet, just cold enough for the snakes to stay away, so that their first trip outside isn’t a negative one!
Now that there are 10 instead of 7, that’s more feeding/cleaning/shifting to do…have you had to ad more staff/volunteers on each shift, or are you making do?
Diana says
Linda – indeed it will be interesting to see how the dynamics play out! We did bump up the part-time position we had recently hired Anthony to fill to a full-time position, so that has definitely helped. Still, we have been “all hands on deck” as we maintain quarantine procedures and care for the new chimps, clean the additional new areas, etc.
Linda says
My gut says it will be okay at first, due to the novelty, but that later……
Christine Hines says
It makes my heart swell to see these beautiful chimpanzees getting accustomed to the best place they could be. I’m falling in love with them! Especially Mave, who seems a sweet delight. I’ll definitely be increasing my monthly contribution soon. Bless you all!
Diana says
Thank you so much, Christine! Your increased and ongoing support is greatly appreciated.
Carla René says
Hi, Diana,
So great to see these guys in action!
We know the history of the others before they got to you, and we know that these guys were no longer being tested on by the time you got them. But what were their lives like? How long were they in limbo waiting for a home before they were shipped out Saturday?
Sometimes the 7 have a problem with you taking photos of them. Do these guys seem to like spending time with you and do they mind the photo shoots?
What do the Bs stand for with both chimps?
Do you think Foxie will become “territorial” if one of the new girls decides to take one of her troll dolls? I know, it’s speculative, but I’m just wondering.
And FYI: I have updated my blog the last few days with progress pics for Miss Negra! She is *almost* done! I also go into detail I’ve never shared before of just what I go through when painting– it’s something I hope others will appreciate when searching for a painting to purchase; I want the buyers and you guys to know how much I am willing to go through for the sake and love of those chimps. I’ve always felt bad that I wasn’t financially in the position to donate large amounts of money (like I want to!), so being a poor student, this is just the best I can offer. :'(
And I will have the pictures of her painting to you by Sunday–sooner if the rest of my work goes as well as tonight’s session. I’m pushing myself to get it completely finished as soon as possible.
http://www.facebook.com/glittercatstudios
Cheers, D!
Linda says
I’ll bet Foxie would be willing to share any doll except the one currently in her hand….although I could see her getting possessive with French Dora, if she only had the one…;)
Kathlen says
WOW! What I would give to be the lucky person who could bid and win your gorgeous painting! I madly adore Negra and I always melt when I see the chimps eating lilacs and roses. You are so gifted Carla, this painting captures our Queen in all her precious glory. Simply beautiful. For now I will dream of owning one of your CSNW paintings some day…..sigh. Thank you for sharing the link and your personal story.
Carla René says
Hi, Miss Linda,
Thank-you so much for your kind words. I don’t ever get e-mail notifications when someone else comments, so I hope you haven’t had that problem and you get this. (Diana, is there any way to get this to Linda? I’m hoping you’ve had private communication with her since I know she’s previously met you and has been to the sanctuary numerous times.)
I’ve been thinking of this. You were following the chimps and blog here when I got here a few years ago, so I know how much you love Burrito-toes and Neggie. How would a print of this painting grab you? I can discuss pricing with you privately since I don’t wish to use this platform to further my own gain, but it would definitely be something anyone could afford.
Why don’t you just visit my art page on FB and send me a private message so we can discuss it? I think that would be the best solution. I want as many people as want her to have the opportunity to have her; I’ve never wanted pricing to stand in anyone’s way of joy.
So for anyone who would like a print, visit my FB page at: http://www.facebook.com/glittercatstudios and send me a DM to let me know you’re interested. We’ll go from there.
I also posted the finished painting there last night, so enjoy and drop me a comment!
Thanks, and cheers!
Diana says
The three came from the laboratory LEMSIP in 1996 when they were all around five years old and have been at the Wildlife Waystation ever since.
So far, we haven’t noticed that anyone minds having their photo taken, but we recognize that this might be a bit of a settling in period before they really feel territorial over their new home. They do seem to appreciate human company.
I’m not sure about the Bs in their names. LEMSIP added Bs to a lot of the chimps’ names and I’m not sure what it signified. I had always thought it was to distinguish between two chimpanzees with the same or similar names, but I don’t know if that’s right. I will ask around! I believe Missy and Jamie were Missie B and Jamie B at LEMSIP. They were the only two of the seven that we are aware of that spent any time at LEMSIP. So, these three would not have met Jody. And they probably did not meet Jamie either because they would have been in different sections of the lab given their age differences.
I think Foxie will share – she shares with her family pretty well now :).
Thanks for the update on your art and all you are going through. We appreciate your effort and talent, Carla!
Carla René says
Hey, D,
Right, I knew they were at the Waystation, but I was wondering what their lives were like. I know they weren’t being treated as test subjects, but what were their caregivers like to them? Were they being treated kindly and with respect? Did they have enrichment and places to play?
Interesting about the names! Thanks for that information.
I am writing you privately in just a minute to discuss details, but I posted the finished painting to my blog last night and to Instagram, where I tagged you guys in it.
And think nothing of it. I wouldn’t do it if it weren’t so important to me because I love those guys so much. You guys and they are the reason I’ve added primatology as one of my minors. I’ve always loved and been fascinated with chimpanzees, so this is just a drop in the bucket for everything I wished that I could do for you. And I probably wouldn’t do it if I thought you didn’t appreciate it, but I truly know you do, and that makes it all the more special for me.
Talk to you soon.
Cheers.
P.S. Did you ever find out why the “notify me of new posts by email” link doesn’t work? I miss replying to so many comments because I never get a notification that anyone responded.
M Brown says
Hi, thanks for the brilliant video. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the new residents in action. I’m sure they’ll be very happy. Your interior decor, including all the toys and nesting materials, is so much more bright, cosy, and stimulating when compared to that of other sanctuarys I’ve seen.
Lorraine says
They look very healthy…..
Kim (Tiki Kim) /San Francisco says
Beautiful! So happy your facility was ready to provide a home for these babies. So sad about Wildlife Waystation and pray all get wonderful forever homes like Honey, Mave and Willy. They are lovely! Look forward to following their journey as part of your family. And yes, Miss Mave sure does have relaxation down! So sweet! … Will you be dropping the Bs from the names as you noted you did with others? … Can the Seven see them through the window? You noted they could see them when they are out. I’m sure they can hear and smell them, have the Seven displayed any different behavior in relation to that? … Thank you for all you do and for sharing it with us. Love to all at the Sanctuary! Kim~
Diana says
We are so glad we were ready too! Jamie and Missy were only known with the B after their names for a short time where Honey B and Willy B have been called those names their entire lives, so it would seem strange to change that now. The seven most likely don’t have a good view of them through the windows, but they will see them soon enough when the three have access to the chute. The seven have been investigating the door and Jamie has been displaying with kicks to the door, but other than that their behavior has been pretty normal. Thank you, Kim!
Jo anna says
Happy tears for the newbies! The humans are doing a great job of settling them in, they look so relaxed. Thank you for all you do. I love your posts!
Tobin says
I feel just ecstatic at seeing this first video of Mave, Honey B, and Willy! It sounds like Foxie is going to have a new friend with whom to play dolls. And Willy so reminds me of Burrito. His seeming fascinating with my pal Jody is easy to understand: It is entirely possible that she will introduce him to the treats of the forage. I wait with anticipation when the Three and the Seven become a household of Ten!
Debi says
It’s s so easy to start loving these three, beautiful new Chimps, but getting to know them as individuals (I’m LOVING all the stories about them each day …) is going to be so much fun…They’re already really tugging at my heart & making me cry with a combination of gratefulness, (that they arrived safely at their new home & are acclimating so easily) joy & laughter…The sweet photo of Willy B looking out the window while sitting on the blue stool with his feet propped up on the window sill is PRICELESS…I love the concept of the “howdy” door & eagerly await all the stories that surely will be told about all 10 of them as they size one another up & create lifetime familial bonds…I truly love each & every one…
Wanda Trotta says
I can’t wait to see them when they meet “The 7” ! I wonder if Jamie will still hold her exalted position.
Barbara Huljak says
What a great/fun story so far. Sounds like a pretty easy transition for them. We rescue
beagles and know that they all come with different stories. Some it takes a year to transition
and trust. Good to hear the three did so well. Thanks so much – it puts a smile on my face.
Gaila Conklin says
The new Chimps look so happy and relaxed! Good work CSNW, you should be very proud! I thought your facility was amazing when I visited a few years ago and have enjoyed watching your progress and successes! I remember someone telling me that your goal everyday is to keep the Chimps happy. Congratulations you continue to do that and more!!