Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of Willy B, Mave and Honey B’s arrival from their former home at Wildlife Waystation in California! Can you believe it?? Sometimes it feels like they’ve always been here, part of our family, and other times it feels as though they’ve only recently arrived. But one thing is certain, they continue to delight and surprise us daily. We are so honored to care for them, to get to know these three amazing people more and more with each passing day and provide them with as much love, comfort, joy and adventure as we can dream up. We’re just so honored that they call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest home and are part of our chimpanzee family. And we cannot thank you all enough for making their lives here possible, and the lives of those still to come!
To those who directly cared and advocated for Willy B, Mave and Honey B during their time at Wildlife Waystation, and who continue to care for the chimpanzees still there awaiting their new sanctuary homes, thank you, we think of you every day.
Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the celebration!
Chad saved the day by graciously sharing these photos.
Mave, being her wonderful self:
Honey B rocking FOUR headband/waistbands and ready to play chase! Look at her!
Willy B working on new to them enrichment of a raisin board:
Maureen says
Love the picture of the three of them! So glad they’re at CSNW and that we’re getting to know and love them.
Jean Martin Zbinden says
Do you think Honey B and Mave will eventually decide to go outside? I sure hope so!
Katelyn says
We sure hope so as well, Jean, and will keep meeting them where they are at and being as creative as we can with encouragement until they are ready. 🙂
Linda C says
man, how time flies!
In what is beginning to feel like the summer that wasn’t, it’s good to have reminders of happy things!
Thanks, Katelyn (and Chad)!
John Joseph O'Brien says
Honey B sure knows how to accessorize.
Katelyn says
She sure does! 🙂
Julie Medrano says
Having been one of the volunteers that worked with the chimps at Wildlife Waystation, I am so happy they are with you. Their lives have improved 100%
and they are so much more active with you and much more involved with life!
Thank you a million times over!!
Katelyn says
Thank you, Julie. We’re so grateful to everyone who cared for them and helped get them here when needed. We love them so.
Debi says
I remember this night exactly one year ago when everyone’s excitement & feelings of accomplishment were so palpable, it was if I could almost ‘feel’ it…I was also eagerly awaiting for the next day when the “California Palm Tree Trio” would be arriving…So much so that I slept kind of fitfully because I kept waking up to check the time, & for some reason, I kept looking out the window…Not sure what I thought might see..(It felt like every time I managed to get back to sleep, I’d start dreaming again about the sanctuary & the new chimps & their arduous & curious long journey to Washington state…
Now look at them…HAPPY DAYS indeed…I wonder how Miss Mave kept that balancing act on that stool with her behind half on, & half off her seat…Then Honey B appears all decked out…Apparently, she didn’t get Coco Chanel’s accessories memo about looking at yourself in a mirror right before you leave the house, & then remove one accessory…HaHa…Then dear ole Willy B looks so studious with a ‘pencil’ poking out of his mouth, instead of placed behind an ear, like he’s deeply in thought, as if he’s working on some quantum physics data & can’t be interrupted…grins…Anyway, early on, the ‘new kids’ surely caused some pretty raw stress for you all, & probably even a little degree of sorrow at first…but now I can hardly imagine the level of your pride in all of the chimps & just pure simple joy, & how in the span of one year everyone is thriving…healthy, happy, playful, & surely content…Bless you all…
Katelyn says
Thanks so much for loving them, Debi. I love your story of shared anticipation over their arrival. Makes my heart happy to hear. 🙂 They are all three, wonderful people who are such a joy and privilege to know.
James says
I love Willy B’s look of determination working on the raisin board! How did he get on?
Katelyn says
He did great, James! We were just talking about how great it is to see the progress they’ve all made in regards to enrichment/food puzzles. They were a bit perplexed with it all initially, but they’ve reached the point where we are able to expand their options more and more because they kind of get it now and show a lot of excitement around them. If one isn’t sure what to do with something we notice they look to the others and then follow suit. 🙂
Caroline says
Wow, It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year already! It’s lovely to see how well they have adjusted and how much healthier and happier they all are, and that’s a credit to your team’s hard work and dedication. Thank you all for being such lovely humans!
Most sincerely, and with great respect,
Caroline
Kathleen says
Happy ONE BIG CRAZY Year to everyone! Especially Willy B, Mave, and Honey B. This is has been one strange year and the biggest joy is seeing the look on the Californians faces! I feel as if they have always been a part of CSNW, can’t imagine life without them now. It seems like ages ago when I was anxiously anticipating each blog post for the latest on the integration. Everything seemed so shaky, so nerve racking, and my heart broke for all your heroic efforts to create one big group instead two. But now, all that seems insignificant compared to the comfort and love they experience today, just the three of them. And I can’t get over how they have blossomed! Honey B with her stylish pizzazz and skateboard skills, Willy B loving his own handsome reflection and his bravery in mastering trips out into courtyard (not to mention his contemplative moments in his little boat), and Mave, marvelous, kind, silly Mave, a friend to all. All of us better for knowing them.
I do think of the past caregivers from Wildlife Waystation all the time. Sending each and every one of you a sincere thank you for keeping these beautiful beings happy and healthy so they could finally get their chance to live their life in a sanctuary. If any of you are still working with the remaining chimpanzees, I send my love to you ten fold. Same goes to the entire coalition who are working together to continue the care of the remaining chimpanzees onsite at WW and to secure their future permanent placement in sanctuaries. Seeing these chimpanzees finally get to sanctuary is exactly what we all need! Bring it on!!
Can’t wait for the day new chimps arrive at CSNW! For now, I celebrate the lives of Willy B, Mave and Honey B. Thank you for coming into my life.
Katelyn says
So so lovely, Kathleen, thank you. <3
Marc Kruger says
Reading the daily blogs about these beautiful animals really makes me smile.
Deanna says
I can’t believe it’s been a year since we loaded them up watched them drive away… the life you have given them is amazing and I can’t tell you how much it means that you keep us all so well informed on how They are doing. I have enjoyed getting to know the original 7 through all your posts as well. I mean… who is cuter than Burrito!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you… and thank you in advance for those who have not yet arrived… much love to you all… take care and stay healthy…
Katelyn says
Thank you, Deanna. We want you all to still feel part of their lives, as you are. They are such a joy and privilege to get to know and we’re thankful for the care they were, and those still waiting are, provided. Burrito, he’s alright.;) Somehow he gets more adorable by the day it seems. <3
Jojo says
Wow, that went fast! Very weird since 2020 has felt like 10years in one year to me.
Happy Anniversary!!
Jordan Bower says
While I don’t think I ever rocked so many headbands at once (and definitely not as fashionably) – That picture of Honey B. brings back memories of me at the (dare I say it) Skate Deck. She almost looks like she is in mid-stride (on skates). I love these pictures and am so happy that these three gorgeous individuals now call CSNW home. Happy 1 year anniversary!!!