This morning was the first real snow of the year. We gave Honey B, Willy B, and Mave access to the chute, which was quite snowy! The three chimps came from California, so we were curious what their reaction would be to the snow. Today, Honey B seemed to be the only one who adventured out into the chute. However, Willy B and Mave did look curious. As enrichment we put snow buckets out, which they all seemed to enjoy. There is still more snow coming down, so there will be plenty more opportunities for all three to explore the snow!
Margaret says
You just have to love these guys. I even felt cold and I’m in Sydney Australia where’s its truely hot!!!
Debi says
awww Margaret, thanks for really cracking me up…It’s so cold here in the Midwest that I have 2 spoiled rotten cats & one of the gentlest & sweetest of all Pit Bulls comfortably camped out on the bed with me, & a big pile of great old quilts…We’re all snuggling together to keep warmer…HaHa
Linda C says
You’re about to get hit again, right? We got some today, but the roads are clear, and the biggest problem is that 90% of the people out here don’t know how to drive in it, so even though it’s 3 inches, I feel like a prisoner.
Stay warm with the fur children!
Tobin says
Hmmm?…I hope that Honey B isn’t cold, or coming down with one. I suppose that it took her mother and her troop awhile to get used to walking in, and eating, snow.
Debi says
It is so darn cute seeing freezing Honey B sitting on the yellow cube with her feet so daintily crossed & her hands clasped together (I suppose) in defense of the bitter cold…I hope it helped..She’s such a character, & Willy B cracked me up with his brief “Will I or won’t I” ~ “Should I or shouldn’t I” moment at the wide open door of the chute…Maybe Miss Mave stayed inside so she could go play in a big pile of paper…What a girl…
Catherine M Splane says
Yet Honey B and Willy B attacked Burrito.
Linda C says
And Mave, too, from what I can tell. Look, I also have trouble with it. But it’s one of those things that I can appreciate about the chimps….their capacity for forgiveness. I could continue to be mad at Burrito for biting off one of Foxie’s perfect little ears. And a part of me is. But it’s not for me to forgive, it’s for Foxie to forgive, and she already has.
I think everyone feels the frustration of the almost merging of the two group groups, but there were two pieces left, and they were Honey B and Foxie, and it didn’t work. We have to move forward.
Betsy says
Well said, Linda C.
Betsy says
Chimps in the wild live a life full of relationships that I certainly would never be able to understand. Same with chimps in captivity, with the burden of enforced isolation, fear, pain and loss that humans have added. If you follow what happens in other sanctuaries, you’ll see mention of individuals who didn’t get along with their group, and were introduced to a different group with better results. Not a lot of detail is usually provided, so I really appreciate that the staff at CSNW has let us know how difficult this can be.
When the experienced staff of CSNW say that they don’t know exactly what happened that night, I believe them. As a very small sanctuary they don’t have the luxury of saying “lets take Honey B and introduce her to this group of older, calm females, where she might get friendship and support.” They don’t have that ability right now, but I’m positive they look forward to a future where that can happen. So instead of saying “Burrito provoked Honey B” or “Willy B attacked Burrito,” I am going to buy a Safeway giftcard so that all the chimps can have some delicious produce tomorrow, and will feel safe and cared for. Who will join me?
Linda C says
The only “saint” here seems to be Neggie, and I’ve been told that even she has her moments. They will, all 10 of them, be “celebrating” my birthday on Sunday (i hope for coconut or pineapple, but we’ll see! :))
Betsy says
Happy Birthday!
Arlene and Michael says
Oh this is such a sweet video. Maybe she needs a blanket to wrap around her. She is brave for coming to check it out.
Linda C. says
Thanks, Betsy! In the middle of finals, so I can´t go far, but am going to try and take Saturday and Sunday to do social stuff, and not work too much!
Kelsi says
Thank you, Betsy! That was very well said. As much as humans and chimps are so similar there are a few things at are different, like the way we communicate. Most of us would have a conversation, whereas chimps scream and fight and then reassure and groom to resolve problems. I know it may be hard to get over the fact the Burrito was attacked. But going into this process of introduction we had the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Unfortunately, we cannot predict chimp behavior. These unsuccessful introductions do happen at other sanctuaries and most are lucky enough to have other groups to try. I hope everyone can see this as we humans do not always get along with everyone that we meet. This is the same for chimps. However, they do communicate in a different way and that is how their society works. One day we hope to have more opportunities for Honey B, Willy B, and Mave. But I really hope that everyone can embrace forgiveness and continue to fall in love with Honey B, Mave, and Willy B like we have.
Maureen says
I’m with you, Catherine. Sorry to say I’ll hold that grudge.
Linda C says
I admit, not forgiving is one of my major faults in life, and in addition, I´ll sometimes hold a grudge. But when you think about it, Willy B and Mave are also losers in this situation, because they were set up to have more social connections, and a bigger group to hang-groom-eat with. Now, there will be just the same 3. So, what? Are we supposed to put them on bread and water for the rest of their lives¿ It´s not like withholding things from them will make them repentant. They´re not people.
Judy says
Very touching to see the newcomers to snow contemplate this totally different ‘thing”… Wonderful video… watching their world expand is true happiness for us all… It is the nature of chimps to behave in ways that humans would not – re: the Burrito event – That is who they are. We may not understand why or how it happened but it does not make each of them any less deserving of ALL the CSNW can do to enrich and expand their lives. Humans treated them all inhumanely for decades. Thank you CSNW for everything you do.. every day.. day in and day out.. be it great day, good day or really hard day!
Linda C says
Ha, Willie B and Mave peek out, feel the temperature change, and say “nope, nope, nope”.
Kathleen says
First of all, they have go through the dreaded plastic flaps to get outside. Scary enough, right?! : )
Honey B is a brave gal, she just pushes the path clear and heads outside, pulls up a stool and takes in her new surroundings. It’s wonderful, especially the look on her face (and in her eyes!) starting at 1:27 into the video. Oh how I wonder what she is thinking in that lovely head of hers. Burrr is right but what is all this white stuff?! Can’t wait to hear/see if anyone braves a fistful of snow.
Thanks for the video, nice to really see Honey B up close.
Linda C says
Lol, from the bucket!
If only there were a way to “pave” the snowy, wet and cold floor of the chute…though I suppose they could bracchiate through it to get to the boardwalk. But either way, something’s going to get wet and cold. It looked like temps alone scared off Willy and Mave. The Brat surely is an Intrepid one!
John J O'Brien says
That was such a cute burr. Watching these beautiful chimps keeps my heart warm.
Kelsi says
Yes! I loved watching Honey B look around so curiously at this white powder 🙂
Jordan Bower says
Brave Honey B! Super cute video.
I trust the staff and volunteers at CSNW; and more importantly the chimp people who receive sanctuary there. I learn a lot from them. I, I’m sorry to say, am not as evolved as these chimpanzees that I love – as far as forgiveness in my personal life goes – but I am learning.
I’m with you Linda. I couldn’t help but buy a Dora Fleece Blanket; even though the blanket drive was over.
Linda C. says
Haha, our students tied a bunch of single-layered ones for veterans, and apparently, they didn´t follow directions/ it was a disaster! You should have seen me trying to get the director of Community Service to send the last two out to WA (she said the rest of their shipping money will be used for sending things to orphanages in Mexico and Nicaragua). So THEN I was contemplating sending those last two myself! 😛
Cara says
Such intelligent eyes Honey B has!
Kelsi says
She really does!
Linda C says
And this could be me, since I often watch these things on my phone, and now I´m seeing it on the laptop, but the quality of this video looks much sharper-clearer-better than usual! Nice work!
Mark B says
I’m surprised that Honey B, having been brave enough to enter the chute, did not attempt to touch the snow which appears to have been within her reach.
Linda C says
She did! 😛
When the camera pans right to show the chute, if you look at the bottom left corner of the screen, you’ll see one inquisitive little finger reaching out into the snow!