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The Best Laid Plans

October 16, 2019 by Diana

Today we made an attempt to introduce Burrito and Foxie to the calm group of eight that have been doing really well for the last few days, and things did not go as we had hoped.

There were some really good moments and everyone seemed to want to get to know each other, but the anxiety seemed to be just too much and a few serious fights broke out. No one needed medical intervention beyond medication, but because things just did not calm down, we decided we needed to separate them.

They aren’t currently separated in social configurations that we plan to keep, but everyone is safe and quiet for the night and no doubt extremely exhausted.

Now we humans regroup and decide what to do from here and try to figure out what’s best for them. There were definite glimpses of how good they could potentially work together, but the anxiousness just got the best of them. Willy B and Burrito, when finally given a chance to be next to each other (through mesh) without a gaggle of anxious onlookers, were SO excited to meet.

We have some thinking to do. We could spend a lot of time second guessing our decisions, and I’m sure we will do some of that. But, ultimately, we have to move forward in some way, even if it’s not the way we were hoping.

Like I said in my post the other day, chimpanzees are tough, and they will all be fine. We have a truly incredible caregiving team here and we are able to talk though things together. Hopefully we can remain as tough as the chimpanzees!

On the lighter side of things, during these very dramatic conflicts, can you guess what Negra was doing? If you guessed eating, you would be correct. At one point she was paging through a magazine, hoping to find some peanut butter inside (peanut butter magazines are one of her favorite food enrichment items). You’ve got to admire her singular focus and her ability to stay out of the fray.

The photo below is not from today but shows how content she is with the thought that she might find some peanut butter in between those pages:

In other news, in case you didn’t see it in social media or through our e-newsletter, Giving Day for Apes was a tremendous success for our sanctuary and for sanctuaries overall! Thank you all for your support. It takes on even more meaning when we are going through challenging times.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathleen says

    October 16, 2019 at 8:31 pm

    It goes without saying, I am pulling for you. I would love to know all details surrounding Burrito and Foxie being introduced to the gang but just knowing the two boys were excited to be close, even with mesh in-between, is good enough to hold me until your next post. One day at a time…..and trust the chimps. ; )

  2. Laura B says

    October 16, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    We’re so grateful the chimps are in such good hands. You guys trust the chimpanzees and we trust you because we have seen your love and commitment for all of the Cle Elum 10.

  3. Diane DePoe says

    October 16, 2019 at 9:44 pm

    Praying for all of the caregivers (Angels) and the Cle Elum 10!
    ???

  4. Diane DePoe says

    October 16, 2019 at 9:44 pm

    Praying for all of the caregivers (Angels) and the Cle Elum 10!

  5. Judy says

    October 16, 2019 at 9:57 pm

    What a team… what an experience.. what a lofty goal.. and what tenacity and guts it takes to do what you are doing… All my best hopes for future steps to be more successful… and less stressful. Thinking of you all.. love an hugs

  6. M Brown says

    October 16, 2019 at 10:37 pm

    Things seemed to be going so well. Fingers crossed for you and the chimps. I really hope it all works out. I’m so looking forward to seeing videos of everyone happily playing and grooming together. Keep up the good work you’re doing, and know that we’re thinking of you all.

  7. Trisha McQuade says

    October 16, 2019 at 11:04 pm

    OH darn!! Well, I know we will get there. Those like myself are obsessed with your process. I am on the east coast, nightly I refresh this page to find out the next page in the chapter. You all are in my prayers as well. I am glad NO MAJOR injuries happen today, but it was a step. Neggie OMG! She is cute, enduring and So CHILL! Hats of to the guys for still trying to
    get to know each other. I am sure they are fascinated. I am truly looking
    forward to watching their friendship grow. Everyone stay well!

  8. Jackie Downey says

    October 17, 2019 at 4:31 am

    I can only imagine what a huge undertaking this is. You guys are awesome! Good luck!

  9. Wanda Trotta says

    October 17, 2019 at 8:54 am

    Your love and wit will win out!

  10. Marissa says

    October 17, 2019 at 9:29 am

    I have complete faith in you guys! You always do what is best for the chimps. It will all work out, hang in there! (hugs)

  11. Maureen O'Malley says

    October 17, 2019 at 2:02 pm

    Oh, so sorry. Glad that the two guys were happy to meet. I know it was a disappointment, especially after all the preceding had gone so well. I have great faith and support for you that you’re doing right and that it will work out. (((HUGS))) to all.

  12. Francoise says

    October 17, 2019 at 3:27 pm

    Thanks for updating us, Diana. You could have taken the time for yourself but you chose to let us know what’s happening and I’m sure everyone appreciates that as much as I do. It’s inevitable that you second guess yourself but allow yourself one or two and put it behind you. YOU are not making mistakes, you and J.B. are too smart and experienced for that and you’ve been soaking in the advice from others that have been through this. Soak some more, don’t blame yourself and take one day, one hour at a time. We won’t mind if you need a day or two of respite from blogging. It’s certainly understandable! Hugs to all hairy and less hairy creatures over there.

    • Diana says

      October 18, 2019 at 3:38 pm

      Thank you again, Francoise! You should be a personal coach! Your words and support really do help. This tricky business of being a human caring for chimpanzees can be a bit overwhelming, and we definitely feeling a bit out of our depth, but a sense of humility and curiosity is good.

  13. Tobin says

    October 17, 2019 at 4:32 pm

    “On the lighter side of things, during these very dramatic conflicts, can you guess what Negra was doing?” I guessed that she might be napping under her peace sign blanket. Instead, Her Majesty was royally examining the latest edition of Peanut Butter Quarterly. But, of course, she is our gracious and noble queen, (“We mean it, man!”, as I am sure that Johnny Rotten would emphatically concur().

    • Carla René says

      October 17, 2019 at 8:34 pm

      Ha! I guessed the same exact thing! Who knew she had the energy to stay awake for it? Well, with her peanut butter-pages depleted, one would think she lacked the sufficient protein to function. ;P

      I’m laughing to myself at the thought of her sitting there in her peanut butter world, trying to complete the “Where’s Mr. Peanut” puzzle without help. 😀

      Cheers.

  14. Taffy stokes says

    October 17, 2019 at 4:36 pm

    something true about animals, two males alone together sometime, one male per group of females other times. or else, two males will have fights sometimes rarely, but very serious, vicious they could even be fatal.

    • Diana says

      October 18, 2019 at 4:07 pm

      Chimpanzees live in mixed male-female social groups both in the wild and captivity, as do many other animals. Mammals have many different social structures!

      • Taffy stokes says

        October 19, 2019 at 7:14 pm

        We wish You and the Chimps lots of love, luck, hope too. Burrito deserves to feel home again, as do the others, maybe your answer is what you did & try to do. your caring and support for these special chimps, perhaps it will all just fit into place, time and patience is magic, you have so much!

  15. Debra says

    October 19, 2019 at 1:09 pm

    I am not concerned about a rough start at meeting… Sometimes the mesh between them is enough for them to feel secure to meet and greet eachother… Be persistant and take your cues from the chimps… Sometimes males specially need to be separated into 2 groups and sometimes they finally will trust eachother and become allies… Good Luck

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