It was day filled with the abundant kind of beauty, joy and excitement that only spring can bring. The chimpanzees enjoyed a special treat of their first taste of lilacs for the season and everyone loved them!
Negra was moving so fast, and had so many, I was barely able to capture any photos of her:
Lilacs are a brief, but glorious treat this time of year. They are also a Mother’s Day tradition here at the sanctuary. We always have a special celebration to honor all of the chimpanzee and bovine mamas and their children, and it’s also the day we celebrate Jody’s honorary birthday. So this was a warm up to the amazing day we have planned for Mother’s Day and Jody’s birthday this Sunday!
Jody:
Burrito was enjoying a nice handful until…
…his good friend, Foxie, came by to ask if he might be willing to share (since she had finished hers). Burrito was a gentleman and left them to Foxie and went off to find what was left over:
Jamie seemed to be thoroughly relishing her flowers:
Her face <3
Negra:
After enjoying their lilac appetizer, the seven had a lunch forage on the hill.
Annie:
Foxie:
Jamie:
Burrito:
Jody and her banana leaves:
Negra taking in the view:
Missy was a tough lady to capture in photos today, but she seemed to enjoy everything the day had to offer.
As we’ve mentioned in the past, Mave, Honey B, and Willy B are at least initially pretty skeptical of much that we offer them food wise. Honey B offers her classic dead pan stare and purses her lips tightly together while looking at us as if to ask us just what it is we think we’re trying to pull by serving such a crazy thing. I will gently poke her lips as I food grunt, but she won’t budge! But today I did get her to try ONE tiny flower and I was so excited when she asked for the rest! But she promptly found a better use for them and began nesting with them instead! The joy of abundant choice:
The three were busy today playing chase with each other and the humans all through their new home and spent a lot of time napping in the warm spring sun and cool breeze from the comfort of their outdoor chute. Willy B enjoyed a nut forage in the courtyard, watched Orangutan Island, and took a nice nap in the sun while being groomed by Mave.
And last but not least, our little cattle family, Betsy, Nutmeg, Honey and Meredith were moved over to their spring pasture today! Jamie supervised, naturally:
It’s so nice to look out from the chimp house and see them out there again! There was some great video and photos of the spring event captured which will most likely be showing up on the blog later in the week!
Happy spring all!
