Today marks day 31 of our new normal, for the humans, that is. For any new blog followers; because of COVID-19 we have been taking extra precautions to make sure the chimps are not exposed. We have a whole routine just to walk into the chimp house in the morning. We glove & mask up, disinfect our shoes & personal things, and we change into scrubs. All throughout the day we are changing gloves and washing our hands. The other part of our new normal, which is were we started counting our new normal, it is just staff and one volunteer that met our very strict criteria. So, to say we have been busy would be an understatement! We have been keeping a record of our new normal. See photo below. But, if we wanted to get technical we believe this started 36 days ago.
However, for the chimps nothing has changed! They are blissfully unaware of the pandemic going on and they are all enjoying the nice weather! In the photos you can see the green grass coming back (EEEK!)
We have the marvelous Missy! Today, on Young’s Hill Missy and Annie ran out of the raceway chasing each other. Missy was also walking all over the fire hose on the Hill, she has some seriously amazing balance!
A perfectly graceful twist as the dismount!
Missy sprinting down the Hill.
I mean that takes a strong core balance!
Jamie leading the perimeter walk, while Burrito followed. Missy and Annie were chasing each other and took a break to join the walk.
I noticed Annie had been draping this piece of blanket over her waist, she kind of stuck a side in each pelvic pocket to create a waist band. Than when everyone got access to the Hill in the morning. I saw Annie carrying it out with her. Even through sprinting after Missy, Annie kept it with her or knew exactly where it was so she could grab it!
Negra gathered everyone’s orange peels and headed out onto the Hill.
Burrito looking over towards the Chute, hoping to catch a glimpse of Honey B, Mave, & Willy B.
On the Phase 1 side, Honey B was being her goofy self. I found Honey B balancing on this fire hose, wearing a headband, and upside down.
Later, she went up to look at herself in the mirror.
She is a pretty amazing individual.
Jackie says
These very special beings never fail to amaze me!
Kathleen says
Still chuckling over Annie and her new twist on waistline decoration! Maybe the Pink Supermoon had an effect on her style sense today. Honey B with her butts-up pose totally killed me. She is too much. I am grateful the chimps have no idea (or little idea) that there even is a new normal. I am very appreciative of all the extra extra extra everything you need to do in this new “normal”. Please stay safe and well.
CeeCee says
Thank you for being so smart, and proactive about Covid-19.
I was so sad to hear of the tiger at a Zoo that came down with the Virus.
Kristin says
Can you explain what “pelvic pockets” are?
Thank you for doing so much to care for the chimps and keep them safe. Seeing these blogs always brightens my day. Honey B just cracks me up. She’s got quite the personality! And it’s intersting to see that both Honey B & her mother, Missy, have amazing balance on those fire hoses. Must be geneitc. 🙂
Marcia says
I can. It’s the crease where the inner leg meets the pelvis/belly. The chimps use it as a pocket. Jamie often holds a boot or two in her pelvic pocket.