Our efforts to integrate Willy B, Honey B, and Mave into the Cle Elum Seven family began yesterday by introducing them to Missy, Annie, and Jody. The day included a couple scrapes and bruises and a lot of frayed nerves (both humans and chimpanzees), but overall it was a success.
The first challenge was moving all the chimps to where they needed to be to make this work. Thankfully everyone cooperated. Burrito, Jamie, and Foxie are now living in the new Phase 1 building and Negra is in the Front Rooms of the old building awaiting her turn to be integrated. As they get to know each other better, the new group of six will live in the Playroom and Greenhouse.
Here’s what we’ve seen so far from the new folks: Willy B, while dominant, is a hands-off kind of guy, almost aloof. He doesn’t start fights but he doesn’t get involved in stopping them either. Jody, Missy, and Annie are doing their best to win him over but he is being coy. Honey B has a ton of sass…she is currently seeing how far she can push the other girls and she’s quite fearless. And Mave…I would never confess to having favorite chimps, of course, but it’s not playing favorites when someone is simply the best by all objective measures š Mave is confident, friendly, and reassuring – she is the perfect bridge between the two families.
We are going to see how this group does over the next couple of days, with the hope that they will become more interactive with one another. At this time they are spending more time with their old friends than with new ones, but that will change. And Annie and Honey B have some things to work out, which they will in due time. Negra is on deck to be integrated next, if all goes well, but nothing is set in stone. As we’ve said, we will do our best to be as prepared as possible, but the chimps will lead the way.
Carla RenƩ says
Yay!!
So much to say, but my visceral reaction was this: while it didn’t *appear* that Missy and Honey B actively recognised each other, as soon as I saw them together I couldn’t help it: I burst into big bull tears. Just knowing the horrible beginning they endured and now seeing them together in one place in which they’re safe and oh-so-loved just mowed me over and was a small part of making the wait worth it.
Cheers, and well done, Jeeb. You should be incredibly proud of your hard work and in seeing it come to fruition! <3
Lydia says
Well done guys! I so thought the Annie would have been the screamer!!
My hope and prayer is as each day comes they will be the best of friends!
Canāt wait to see more!!!
Amy M says
JB — Thank you for an as always fascinating post. The females all seem to be interested in each other’s swellings and even seem to be offering their swelling to each other. What is that about?
J.B. says
That is a submissive (or at least non-threatening) greeting. Usually it is done by females towards males but in these intense situations females present to each other a lot.
CeeCee says
Wow, that is an amazing video.
I realize that you probably edited out all the scary fighting for our benefit (thank you) I really have to commend you on selecting the right Chimps… I guess you know them by now.
It seems it went really well.
Are you worried about Jamie ?
Is she sitting on her side getting upset sheās not there to protect her tribe?
Do Smart Chimps like Jamie Hold a grudge?
Can you tell Iām worried about her or what š
Thanks for including us with this great video.
J.B. says
We’re worried about the change in dynamics when Jamie is introduced, but we’re not worried about Jamie herself. Soon she will get anxious but for now she’s keeping herself busy exploring the new building.
Jamie can definitely hold a grudge…
CeeCee says
Thanks J.B
Joanne says
I think I forgot to breath while watching this video. What a joy to witness the beginning of new friendships and the creation of a new family community. My prayer is that the other meetings go as well as this one.
Paula says
I’m not gonna lie, I was emotional while watching the video. It was amazing to see new relationships starting to form. Thank you for letting us share in the lives of these remarkable beings. I literally look forward the daily offerings from you guys.
Elaine Reininger says
Thank you so much for letting us see this incredible introduction of the old and the new residents. I appreciate your putting the name titles as tho I’ve been coming to this site for several years on a daily basis, I still can’t get who is who. I would say despite a few squabbles, the introduction went very well. I wish you good luck when Bubba gets added to the mix. I suspect he’s going to let everyone know who’s boss in this village.
Vickie Scribner says
I feel as though I am right there with you, witnessing this great event!! They have such personalities!!
Linda C says
Wow, JB, thanks for the long video! I was afraid it would be only 1 min.
What a happy wild card Mave turned out to be, huh,?! And to think, you guys weren’t sure about her…
Haha, Willy B knows a girl likes to be “chased”! š
It’s wonderful to see Jo and Honey B trying to play with everyone already.
I, like many, wonder how quickly and smoothly things will “shift”…will Jo lose her spot as #2 to Honey B? Will Annie adapt to sharing her BFF, or will those 2 continue on as always?
And as someone said above, when the Boss figures out that all of this is going down without her, it ain’t gonna be pretty.
I hope Neggie’s able to sleep, with all of the hooting and hollering going on. Does she show any interest at all?
Congrats on a successful Phase 1 and on having a favorite!
J.B. says
Neggie is enjoying her mini-vacation. She gets to eat all by herself and spend time with her caregivers. I would never want her to be alone for too long, but in short doses I think she might actually like it!
Linda C says
Thanks, JB, several of us have been thinking about her . ..haha “Neggie’s spa days”! Pedicure….
amyg says
Thank you so much for easing my mind about Neggie. I have been with you almost since the beginning & I love all of them, but I was worried when you didnāt write about the Queen! I realize now that I held my breath too while I watched this amazing meeting. I hope my Burrito man handles meeting Willy B. okay and that things go as smoothly as possible for all of them. Thank you all so much for what you have done & continue to do for my beloved chimpanzee persons ??????
Amy Goldshine says
Thank you so much for easing my mind about Neggie. I have been with you almost since the beginning & I love all of them, but I was worried when you didnāt write about the Queen! I realize now that I held my breath too while I watched this amazing meeting. I hope my Burrito man handles meeting Willy B. okay and that things go as smoothly as possible for all of them. Thank you all so much for what you have done & continue to do for my beloved chimpanzee persons ??????
Tobin says
Yowza! I just hope that all concerned remember what a play face looks like! That last scene, of Jody and Honey appearing to play, comes as a welcome sign of relief. The Great Adventure Begins, indeed.
Theresa Strunk says
Looks like a fairly good start. Seems like Missy knew her daughter in some sense.
Cara says
The introductions were so interestingā¦ For some reason I thought they would just look at each other through the Howdy door first before actually being in the same room together. I am glad all the scuffles were minor!
Linda C says
I was expecting that, too!
Wanda Trotta says
Looks like a positive start due to your knowledge of the ā7ā and good instincts with your new family. The whole thing is just fantastic! Look forward to following??
Wanda Trotta says
Looks like a positive start due to your knowledge of the ā7ā and good instincts with your new family. The whole thing is just fantastic! Look forward to following??
Jo Lathrop says
Most interesting and thank you so much!! Wow, time will tell. Beautiful chimps, all of them and they will work it out. BRAVO to you all for being flexible and “going with the flow” ~ trust your inner voice!! Much love and hugs to all…
Kathleen says
Wow. My highlights are Mave and Annie hugging (for reassurance?). Knowing Annie’s original fears/insecurities in her first years in sanctuary I was so happy to see Mave letting her know it’s alright (or so I project). I was very intrigued by Annie shooing away Willy B, what was that all about? Same with Jody and Honey B (near the howdy door), Jody seems to be signaling “get away!” but she did have her droopy lip. It appears as if Annie has big ‘sore’ on her back, ouchie. And my heart skipped a beat watching Jody play with the firehose with Honey B. Worth it!
I confess, I am worried about Negra, where will she fit in, what will she do, only time will tell. And like everyone else, I can’t stop thinking about adding Jamie and Burrito into the group. I can imagine playful little Foxie being a reassuring factor for Jamie and everyone, but oh my ā how do you sleep at night?!
Speaking of sleeping! All six are now sleeping together? Is everything peaceful when you arrive in the morning? I have 10,000 questions and please know I do not expect you to answer any of them! Just know my head is spinning but my heart is full of admiration, respect, and the deepest gratitude for all you are doing. No matter who does what or who becomes friends or who doesn’t, you have improved the lives of ten worthy chimpanzee people and their lives will forever be enriched.
J.B. says
During the first night we heard a lot of displaying between the two sides of the building and occasional whimpering or screaming when someone became upset. We had staff in the building 24hrs a day for the first couple of days. Now we have a security camera feed with audio playing in the house overnight (only 100 yds from the chimp house for those who don’t know) and it was very quiet. Just an occasional pant grunt. In fact, we mostly just hear the chimps peeing in the middle of the night š
PatC says
WOW. Thank you for bringing us along on this journey. Big HUGS to the caregivers!
Louise (Canada) says
I have been following your blog and intriguing videos for only a short time, but love seeing how things are progressing. Unlike some of the other followers I donāt know who is who just yet, but am slowly getting to know them. I was wondering what your plans are if they actually fight. What sort of plan do you have to stop them?
J.B. says
Our ability to intervene in a severe fight is limited, however we do keep CO2 fire extinguishers on hand for a blast of white noise and a blow gun with bear scare darts to attempt to distract them long enough for the victim to get away. At the times of greatest risk, multiple staff are on hand to operate doors so that we can try to separate them.
Linda C says
Thanks, JB, several of us have been thinking about her . ..haha “Neggie’s spa days”! Pedicure….
cheryl McGrew says
This must be so nerve racking for you all. I hope they work out the differences quickly. Good luck through it all.
Judy says
I am awed by how CSNW is arranging this.. and everything you all do! Very relieved that it went so well… and yes, I am sure there are many parts we are glad we didn’t see… but what great choices in picking the first group to meet.. I was pleasantly surprised at some of the really heartwarming interaction between the two groups. I ditto the concerns about how Neggie, Burrito, Jamie and Foxie will fit in and how the intros will go.. and also this question.. HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT? Hugs and tons of respect and love to all of you.. those with lots of body hair and those with much less!!!!
Amy Penrod says
Have you ever thought of adding a web cam? I could watch this all day.
Linda C says
H, pretty sure Jamie would find a way to dismantle it…though I agree with you on not wanting to miss a thing!