Yesterday we made an attempt to introduce Foxie and Burrito to the existing larger group. As Diana said yesterday, it did not go quite the way we wanted it to go. Today has been a quiet day of rest, recovery and reevaluation as we come up with the plan for our next move.
Yesterday was intense and stressful for all, with many of the chimps coming away with injuries. Thankfully, we will not need to anesthetize anyone for serious medical intervention. We are monitoring everyone closely and providing any necessary oral medications. Burrito came away with the most wounds and is going to need a few days alone in the front rooms to heal. He got a visit from Willy B this afternoon (separated by caging) and was very happy to spend a little quiet time with the big guy.
As it stands now, Negra, Willy B, Mave and Honey B are together in the playroom (with greenhouse access) and the rest of the girls have moved over to the Phase 1 building.
Jamie, Foxie, Jody, Annie and Missy took a breather on Young’s Hill this morning:
Annie:
Foxie:
Jamie on patrol:
Jody:
After their hill adventure, Jamie used her new playhouse as a napping station:
My heart goes out to Mr B., despite the fact that he bit Foxie’s perfect little ear off and that I know he’s often the instigator. You can’t help but love that goofy guy.
I know you are all doing your very best to make this as smooth a transition as possible. I have confidence you will reach the goal of a cohesive 10.
I’m curious why you think Burrito came out on the worse end of things. Was he particularly intense about the intro? Was it competition? Great to hear he and Willy B are connecting! That’s exciting for sure.
I have my fingers crossed that they’ve got the worst of it out of their systems. Wishing you all smooth sailing from here on in.
Burrito always seems to come out on the worse end, whether he starts it or not. The girls in his original family of seven often left him with regrets about starting trouble.
Aww that just makes him more lovable. It can’t be easy being the lone male in a group of females. One more of the many reasons to hope he and Willy B can get past the tricky stage and on to friendship.
Hi, Anna!
Yesterday’s message didn’t “push” to, so I’m getting the bad news and this good news at the same time….
I can’t imagine, if Willy B and Burrito were happy to see each other, who went after him.
I am very happy, though, that Jody and Jamie look thrilled to be out on their hill again, and like many others, relieved and ecstatic that Neggie is keeping on keeping on. To ne honest, I kind of expected that of Neggie; she has a way of finding her spectator’s corner.
I hope that eventually they can all come together.
As soon as you mentioned Burrito go the brunt of it, my heart sank. I’m sure you’ll tell us but I have so many questions. What happened in this latest intro? Sounds like Foxie is with the main group now and how is she? And am throwing out positive vibes and blessings to everyone involved. Thank you to you all.
Burrito and Foxie were introduced at the same time to the group of eight. Burrito was fearful, as he often is but it seemed like Foxie instigated the first conflict and Burrito followed suit. The strategy that worked so well with the first two intros didn’t work this time…that might be bad luck (about 15% of all introductions fail) or we may have needed a different strategy with them, given their fearfulness and the fact that they could fall back on their old “gang” for support, which wasn’t the case when the group was split up.
Foxie is currently with Jamie, Jody, Missy, and Annie and they are all doing great.
Hi JB…so if I’m getting this right…Foxie started something and instead of staying up high like he usually does when the ladies mix it up, Burrito threw himself into it?! Isn’t that kind of new for him, going so far to back up friends way beyond a hug or a reassurance gesture?
I’m glad everyone can relax a bit, and I hope the girls can use this time to re-bond with little Foxie, and fill her with confidence to go forward with.
Poor Burrito, I hope he’s a fast healer.
Plus side is that he and Wiily B seem to be good together…. Fingers crossed 🙂
Thanks for the photos of the girls (sans Neggie). I am relieved to see them on Young’s Hill, business as usual, with all of them appearing well. I am sure it did Jamie’s heart some good to go on a patrol. I hope Burrito is alright (I worry about his condition on an average day!), please tell him I love him so. How nice of Willy B to come and check in on his new pal.
It is unfortunate you need to regroup and replan, it looked as if all was going as good as one could expect, all things considered. Time is a healer so I’m still keeping the faith.
So sorry there’s been a bump in the road, but that’s how life is and we always learn a lot!! I hope going forward that the energies support the peaceful integration of this group in the wonderful safe spaces you so creatively provide. Yesterday was a challenging day astrologically as well and I wonder if checking in with what the planets are doing would be something that would be useful. I know some reliable sites if you’re interested. Just a thought. Love and hugs to you all…
I’ve followed this amazing Chimp family since before they arrived in Cle Elum. I know that from time to time the Staff has reminded us fans about the violent side of Chimpanzees. So right now, even though my heart pains me for Burrito and everyone else’s boo-boos, both physical and emotional, I’m grateful to the Staff for keeping it real. Lighting my evening candle for healing and for a better outcome on the next try. {{{Hugs}}}
It’s said that time heals all wounds, and we’ll take a minute to let time pass and count our blessings while the wounds heal- both chimp and human. We are all safe, we have food and shelter, we have beings who care for us and for whom we care. We are given the opportunity to make our own choices in our lives. We have time. We have patience. We have a bit more money than we had yesterday 🙂
It will all be good.
Step by step, piece (or chimp) by piece. A bit like that one puzzle piece that doesn’t seem to fit and you have to jam it into the puzzle. But sooner or later the pieces give way and the puzzle takes shape and all is well.
Remember what you said a few days ago: trust the chimps. Even though they were stressed and reactive when you tried to take a step forward, they’re trying. I have faith that they are. It’s just a lot for them to deal with and they’ve not had a perfect life, as you know. It will get better, just maybe more slowly than you hoped. Make popcorn. ;o) xo
My heart is breaking. My baby burrito was hurt. I can’t even imagine how you all feel. I am sure eventually it will work out. Will burrito be ok God bless you all for what you are doing
Burrito is doing well and will be 100% again soon! We just need to keep him from being too rambunctious in the next couple of days so a few of his injuries can heal. He is enjoying his time with his neighbors through the door and getting lots of personal attention from his favorite caregivers.
Namaste to all of you. All will be well.
I wrote a comment to you about a previous post re the dilemma of introductions. You didn’t reply or comment. Now you have injuries.
So I repeat (mutates mutandis) : given that sadly the situation of all these chimpanzees is artificial and in captivity (though infinitely happier and more natural than the situation they were in while used for experimentation)…,why not leave them in two small separate colonies? Is the introduction really, really of benefit to the chimps? Clearly you are deeply caring people but what are you achieving or going to achieve?
As I said, I am absolutely no primate expert. I’m a banking lawyer so I know nothing! My question comes from a very different – but maybe not so different – position of hope followed by pain followed by reluctant and kinda OK – but not really – resolution……I am the adoptive (single gay) Dad of a son who I love profoundly but adopted when he was 8 years old. Deep, deep damage had been done to him before I ever met him. Great hope, huge commitment…and 15 years later, my son is not quite in the prison system but cannot live with me because of his violence and the multiple Police visits to address that. We meet in neutral locations once a week for a good meal and I can give him financial and grocery help and we can express affection towards each other and even enjoy each other’s company. But that’s it. And that’s as OK as it can be…I know! TMI – big time! But you see my point: you are caring for what is not a natural group and their earlier trauma and coping mechanisms with that trauma are what they are….maybe 2 parallel groups in close proximity is as good as it can get without adding to the trauma? Am I wrong? I know you are profoundly committed to all your chimps….but I wonder if any goal of adding to the literature needs to be abandoned. Just let the 2 groups live as they are.
Am I unfair or ignorant? Apologies if I am.
Patrick (from London)
Hi Patrick. Actually, I did respond to your comment – you can see that response here: https://chimpsnw.org/2019/09/modifying-toys/
I’m sorry about your son. Being a primate is such a challenge in so many different ways. I’m sure he is grateful for all that you have done for him.
I sort of got the impression that keeping them in two separate colonies was among the list of possibilities all along.
Whoops!
The horrors of predictive text in my last offering:
Mutatis mutandis is of course what I meant to say