As Kelsi mentioned yesterday, the Cle Elum 7 got their first real look at their new neighbors on Tuesday afternoon, and Mave, Willy B, and Honey B got to explore their new outdoor chute. We don’t have the video of their first reactions ready for you just yet (sorry for all the suspense), but I think I can safely tell you that there has been no one more preoccupied with the sight of new chimpanzees than Burrito.
We were all pleasantly surprised with how interested (and almost calm) he seemed to take their first reveal. I might have been expecting his reaction to be something more like total panic and fear (or maybe even pretend that he cannot see them), but instead he seemed to take it all in stride and has now moved on to complete (high arousal) fascination. He has been spending his days moving from the Playroom windows to the Greenhouse, trying to get a peek at anyone sitting outside in their new space. Here was Mr. B on the lookout on Young’s Hill this morning (notice his erect hair and fixed gaze).
I’ve always thought Mr. Burrito-toes was never more beautiful than when he was fully pilo-erect and standing at full attention. The intensity takes your breath away….
Cheers.
It shows off his muscles! 😛
Oh, you guys are really teasing with this video; I hope it’s a long one!
All the years of Mr. B’s “estrogen overload” are almost over! I hope he’s excited happy, and not excited-over-the-top territorial! (My phone misspelled that, but then I thought, ‘it’s Burrito….hmmmm… makes sense!”)
It had misspelled it as “territoeial” 🙂
Great and very encouraging, measured response on Sir Burrito’s part… excited to see more and the future events to come! So thrilling… one can only imagine what it’s like for the chimps and for all of you!
I agree with Carla. Burrito looks resplendent with his fur (or is it hair?) on end, looking with anticipation for the latest signs of his new neighbors.
Eeesh. Sweet Burrito. Your comment that you expected him to maybe pretend he couldn’t see the new chimps made me pause. Made my heart …… heave. Oh sweet boy, change can be scary. It takes great courage to accept big change. Burrito is perhaps braver than we think.
I love him so much. He is so curious and devilishly handsome! Thank you for the great post and photos.
Isn’t he though