I wanted to write a light-hearted blog because, well I think we all need it. But this morning Honey B, Willy B, and Mave had a big fight at breakfast. Don’t worry everyone is fine, but it was an intense one! It was mostly Honey B and Willy B fighting, because Willy B tried to steal her chow. Chow is no joke. Each chimp really looks forward to getting their bags of chow. In general, the three seem to be less physical with each other. They have their occasional fight, but a lot of the time it’s just screaming. This morning, Honey B was not having it. Honey B has always been described as fun and silly, which she is, but I would NOT want to be on her bad side. Honey B can be, let’s go with feisty, but another word could be ruthless. Surprisingly, Honey B tends to avoid any drama that doesn’t have anything to do with her. If Mave and Willy B are worked up she will leave the area, but she also tends to be the person who will strike first if she thinks something is going to happen to her. I won’t lie, I think it works. During the fight, Honey B quite literally beat Willy B with a scooter. Again everyone is fine, but Willy B’s pride might be hurting just a little. Mid-morning we found Willy B grooming Honey B, so I think everything is all good now, but I don’t think he will try taking her chow for quite some time.
On a lighter note, Jamie received a late Christmas present. I am sure many of you are familiar with the Bodies Exhibit. We found the book version and it seemed pretty on brand with Jamie so we put it on the wish list. It finally came today! Jamie was in a very cozy nest upstairs when caregiver Anna went to go give it to her. Instead of coming down right away, Jamie had Anna flip through the pages for her. Later, after lunch Jamie took the book and began skimming it.
This is the page Jamie left her book on.
I think we should get some bonus photos!
Willy B taking a nap.
Yesterday Mave, Willy B, and Honey B watched the chimps from Chimp Haven on Disney+. Mave settled in to watch her soaps.
Jamie was on patrol after hearing the fight this morning. She went straight out onto the Hill to get a better view of the other side.
Burrito <3.
Missy sprinted out onto the Hill and had Burrito and I joined her on a mid-day run! She is seriously so fast! I took a video but I was embarrassed by how heavy I was breathing.
Honey B making a nest with toys this morning.
Watch out for this one, she doesn’t take crap from anyone!
Mary Garripoli says
I love these chimps. They are so wonderful.
Mary Garripoli says
Thank you for taking care of them.
Linda C says
Hi, Kelsi!
Not to sound mean, but that’s what I took from the failed integration: she comes out swinging, always. I’ve always pictured her as more of a “brat” (that’s what the B is for, haha), but a scooter….man…
On the other hand, even though I know it’s a part of chimp life, I like to see everyone keep their own chow, so glad she stuck up for herself.
Is it me, or is Jamie kind of smiling at the commoton coming from the neighbors’?
Kelsi says
The B could stand for Brave too ;). Yes, it is nice to see Honey B can hold her own. That Willy B is a big guy! It might be unconventional, but it did get the job done :).
Jamie can be twisted sometimes, I wouldn’t be surprised!
Linda C says
No doubt, it takes moxie to take on “the gorilla”!
Diana I. says
Where are all the gifts for the chimps? My family and friends of ours sent gifts for Christmas and we don’t know if they were received. We were hoping to see a big piles of gifts for them! ?
Kelsi says
Hi Diana! I will email you to see what you all sent us and find out if we got them. We had our big Christmas party and most likely they went out then. We so appreciate all the gifts people get the chimps. Unfortunately, not all the gifts get highlighted but I assure you the chimps use all the toys daily. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out the Christmas video. You might be able to see someone unwrapping a gift!
Janet Geisel says
I’m glad to hear everyone is fine. When I read about Honey B beating Willie B with the scooter I couldn’t stop laughing because I can picture Honey B giving it to him. I guess that will teach him. I love how she stands her ground. Just no more scooter beating.
Kelsi says
Yes, it nice that she is not afraid to stand up for herself! I am with you, no more beating people with scooters :).
Betsy says
First of all, I’m so happy that sanctuary chimps are getting some visibility on Disney+. I hope it will be beneficial for all of them. Second, please forgive me for laughing at the thought of Honey B beaning Willy B with a scooter. That’s so her, that she would choose a scooter. And, although I’m very glad that nobody was hurt, I have often wanted to bean certain people with the nearest object. I guess that’s a difference between chimps and humans, we have different social rules. I must contain that impulse, Honey B just lets it fly.
Kelsi says
Hi Betsy! Yes, haven’t we all! It is probably good that we have social rules! It is very Honey B, isn’t it? Though we didn’t love watching her do it, she doesn’t take crap from people and finds very creative ways to tell people off.
Betsy says
Well put Kelsi, well put.
Beverly Donovan says
Lol!
Kathleen says
Ouch! I hope the wheeled side of the scooter was facing inward. Getting Ka-bonged by the wheels would really hurt. Poor Willy B! But also not nice to sneak off with someones chow bag but in Willy’s defense, who wants to steal something you don’t like. You can’t blame a guy for trying.
Thanks for these great photos Kelsi. It is always fun to see Jamie diving into a new book. I will be curious to see if it can compete with her favorite “Salmon Sisters Xtratuf Boot Book”!
Linda C says
It may have been the blue plastic scooter that doesn’t roll, the one that’s hollow plastic, like Mave’s red rocker
Marcie says
Oh Honey B, really a scooter, using a sock or blanket wouldn’t have been enough for you? All families fuss with each other but I’m glad no one was seriously injured in the physical ruckus. What’s Mave’s favorite soap? Do the chimps hoot back to the Chimps Haven residents? Had to laugh at nosy neighbor Jaime checking out the Californians later.
marianne says
Great blog Kelsi!
It makes my day imagining Honey B. with wacking Willy B. like an (old) lady with her handbag smacking some sence into a thief….Hilarious.
And he must have felt guilty; grooming Honey to make up.
I sometimes think that Jamie would have loved to become a doctor if she would have been born under different circumstances and as a human.
Also I am looking forward to that out of breath video and see Missy race and you trying to keep up. C’mon Kelsi; be brave like Honey B. 🙂
Leonie McGregor says
Have you ever given them toys like a kids piano, colouring books, or join the dot book, or a yo-yo?
Linda C says
They’ve had a piano (saw it in a video). And crayons and paper, etc. Don’t know about yoyos. Do you think they have the dexterity for it?
CarolR says
Great blog Kelsi, even though it was a bit alarming. Just re-reading Frank De Waal and he states that there’s an unwritten chimpanzee rule that says if it’s in your hand or in your mouth, then it’s yours! I guess Willy B didn’t know that rule? Glad to hear it all settled down and Mave avoided the battle.
Can you tell us about size….who is the largest, down to who is the smallest. I know it doesn’t always relate to strength but it would be interesting to know.
Linda C says
I know Qilly is the biggest, because Diana has called him “the gorilla”.
Hard to tell with the ladies (using that term loosely on this post), because Honey B is lankier and Mave is floofier