This weekend, y’all were treated to a pair of vivid stories: J.B.’s about a quiet moment with Jamie and Diana’s about an unusual predicament involving a snake. If you didn’t read them, what are you waiting for?
Today’s blog post isn’t really a story. Instead, I’m changing directions and just providing a few unrelated updates.
As Jody heals up from her recent trip to the sanctuary’s clinic, we have begun to let her have socialization sessions with the other chimps in her group. These meetings are a standard practice for us; controlled visits like today’s allow for the chimps to groom and play without a barrier. (Of course, the others can always see and interact with Jody through the steel mesh that separates their areas.) Since we’re concerned about Jo’s incision site staying clean, its safer for her to have just one companion at a time. This morning, Foxie darted into the front rooms and excitedly groomed with Jody for a couple of hours.
Meanwhile, over on the other side of the building, the second phase of the expansion project (Phase 2) is well underway. Although the construction team has not yet poured the foundation, one can already see the outlines of two new indoor playrooms, two new Greenhouse-style enclosures, and the central hallway. There’s obviously a lot to be done, but it’s encouraging to witness the steady progress and even more exciting to imagine multiple groups of chimpanzees hanging out in the area when it is complete.
Finally, the day ended with a rambunctious crescendo: Jamie’s delight at an area full of grab bags. Grab bags are one of Jamie’s favorite enrichment items, so she absolutely lost it when we let her group back into the Playroom to gather, process, and savor the valued puzzles hidden inside. As usual, she tried her best to monopolize everything and ended up sitting in the middle of the Playroom surrounded by the remains of ransacked enrichment (much as a dragon would sit on a hoard of gold that it had plundered from the charred remnants of destroyed cities). That’s Jamie’s style, sometimes. Fortunately, we always put out enough enrichment materials to give the other chimps more opportunities.
Even after we locked up the chimp areas, changed out of our scrubs and prepared to leave the sanctuary for the evening, Jamie was still sitting amid her mountain of grab bags, apparently content.
Kathleen says
Wonderful news that Jody is healing and is now having visitors — even if they might barge in uninvited. : ) It is exciting to see the progress of your Phase 2 construction, thank for the update. And I can totally see why the Grab Bags are such a hit. Wow, the bags look bigger than Jamie! Man could you fill those with a ton of stuff. And the bags must make fun nesting material too. Something tells me Jamie may be awake into the wee hours of the morning enjoying her booty. Would be funny to see a video of everyone diving into those bags (hint, hint).
Betsy says
It’s great to see the new construction taking shape. I have had a really good time reading all of the updates over the past week, I can see that although your little kingdom looks peacefully idyllic to me, there’s never a dull moment. Thank you all for taking the time to update us, I can imagine it’s hard to do at the end of a busy day. I know we all appreciate it.
kelly walker says
what happened to Jamie’s foot…haven’t been online much…too negative. Love to all of youxoxoxo
Debi says
A friendly Hello from OH…
Anthony…I guess it’s just my background & creative nature (fibre artist, designer, university teaching ass’t, etc…) to be expressive…Maybe ‘too’ expressive at times…Sometimes after rereading older & even newer comments I’ve left, I get embarrassed over the tangle of all my thoughts & words…
So for now, I just want J.B., Diana, you, & ALL the rest of your dedicated co-workers & volunteers, to know you aren’t just enriching the lives of the beloved, innocent chimps (& the four gorgeous & photogenic cattle) how much the sanctuary enriches my OWN life on a daily basis…”Why,” is a story that goes all the way back to my early childhood almost 6 decades ago..At some point in time, I’ll try explaining how my own passionate love for chimps & the other Great Apes…
Thank you everyone for your passionate interests in the overall health & wellbeing of ALL the abused chimpanzees…Those already successfully rescued like your own incredibly, fascinating ten, but all the rest of them waiting for their own turn…
Linda C says
Hi Anthony,
More Del’s on the way for you guys to enjoy on hot days! And some old sheets for Da Boss.
How does Tiny feel about grab bags big enough to scoop her up?
Marya says
I agree with Debi about the appreciation for all you do for the chimps on a daily basis, and the effort all of you put into sharing their lives with us. And yes, it must be very challenging to do these fabulous posts at the end of long days in service to these fabulous beings! Thank you!! In the midst of all the challenges we’re facing in our country and the world right now, I find the most bright spot of my days is reading posts (both new and old) and seeing that the chimps are living a good life now. I’m so grateful to be a part of it all!
Barbara H. says
I love when the chimps are creating their own fun with whatever they enjoy.
I’m seeing the new construction and thinking of rescuing more chimps????
Great blog. Thank you.