Well everyone, this has been some kind of busy, busy, busy day! For part of the day, we had fewer humans here than usual for cleaning and we continue to learn new routines, new buildings, new doors, and new safety and security checks on top of caring for, and spending time with, the usual busy chimpanzees who want to rip and run and race the Gator, and play chase, and troll catch and oh, just all kinds of things. It’s been a good day! And as I sit down for the first time today, I can say I feel exactly like Jody in the photo below! So please enjoy this brief post and a handful of moments from the day:
Burrito has been dragging his scooter back and forth with him on Young’s Hill which is pretty cute:
Jamie, telling me to stop lollygagging and pick up the pace (this was merely a warm-up for the fierce Gator races she would challenge Chad and I to later in the afternoon):
I cannot express how much Honey B, Mave and Willy B continue to blossom (there is literally no better word) as they explore and enjoy their new home additions. They LOVE the new playrooms!! It’s an incredible joy to see how adventurous they’ve become, how much they seem to enjoy trying all the new spots and how much they’ve settled in to owning their new space. Their choices have expanded on so many levels and as we always say, that is the heart of true sanctuary. Thank you all who are making this possible for them!
And thanks from Honey B as well, who wishes you all a goodnight from her night nest in one of the new playrooms:
Great post. You are all Awesome.
I expect everybody will sleep well tonight……
Seeing Jody and Honey B in their lush nests made me feel so happy for them. The photo and comment about Burrito is a scream! For a fellow who usually enjoys a small wooden toy in his mouth, this is quite a changer-roo for him! Let me know when sits his scooter and races the Gator down Young’s Hill. Burrito. He always makes me laugh.
Hope you made a cozy nest when you got home. So much on your plates right now, you’ve earned a soft spot to rest your weary heads. Sending all my love to everyone.
He never rides it, just pushes it back and forth. I was looking forward to the integration, because surely Honey B would have taught him exactly how versatile that scooter is, lol!
Maybe if they show him video of Honey B or from Chimp Haven or Project Chimps
Funny you say that! I sent a YouTube video to Diana back in March of Project Chimps’ Hercules riding around on his scooter and suggested she show it to your chimps 🙂
Kathleen, I had a similar vision the other day, haha. I did surprisingly see him sitting on it the other day scooting himself around one of the smaller front rooms which was a first for me. Ultimately, I suspect no scooter is fast enough for Burrito and his wild shenanigans. If only we humans could use one when playing chase with him! 😉
Katelyn, thanks so much for this post and the pics. I chuckled when I saw Burrito with his scooter in the grass. He had to think about it to take it outside and I can just imagine his thoughts– “Now what can I do next that is charming and fun? Gotta keep these humans on their toes paying attention to me!” Can’t tell you how appreciative I am (we all are!) that you took the time to share these with us after such a long and full day you’re all having right now!
Thank you, Marya, you’re very kind. We so love sharing the chimps’ lives via the blog with you all every day! Sometimes my words take a hike is all. 😉 Thankfully, the chimpanzees easily override anything I could say. When I saw Burrito’s scooter out there I figured it’d stay there until the humans retrieved it, but he was dragging it in and out all day. After all these years, the chimpanzees surprise and delight us again and again.
I hope the days of short staffing end soon for you!
How is vaccine rollout going in WA? You were the first and hardest hit front, I certainly hope that gives you dibs on being the first back to the new normality!
Hi Linda,
Oh, you’re kind to worry about us, but someone was just out for part of the day. 🙂 We aren’t actually short-staffed and you’d be surprised – though we miss our wonderful hard-working volunteers, our routine is such a well-oiled machine, we’ve been surprised at our efficiency with only staff and a couple volunteers (who are able to meet our strict protocols) working right now. That said, we will eventually have two new staff members to accompany our expanding sanctuary and chimpanzee family, both of whom will be most welcome.
WA has been doing a good job on rollout, though case numbers remain high in our area. While vaccines are a huge added step of protection for the chimpanzees and humans, in an abundance of caution, we do not anticipate changing our protocols based on vaccinations until we learn more about the possibility of transmission in vaccinated individuals. Our Direct Care Committee works so hard to continually review the latest science-based evidence, while weighing the safety and needs of the primates. So incredibly grateful to them and all everyone continues to do to keep us all safe. Hope things are feeling increasingly hopeful in your area as well!
Thanks, Katelyn. I figured masks will be part of life there for a while.
Just became eligible last week. First jab this afternoon, but have to drive an hour for it
A former 25 year volunteer at Wildlife Waystation who worked with the chimps. I am so happy to see that they are doing so well and loving life. You folks are taking great care of these wonderful animals. I still miss them after all this time, but am happy they are having the best life at your sanctuary.
Take care
So sweet of you to keep up with them! Feel free to tell us stories!