We cannot contain our excitement! Days like today are the highlight of my job and why we do what we do. Honey B, Willy B, and Mave received access to Green House 2 and 3 today! As I write, Mave is nesting in Green House 3. I mean what could be better than that! It was amazing to watch each chimp warm up to the two new areas. Obviously, not every chimp walks into a new space with confidence; you have to test some stuff out. As you will see in the video everyone takes the plunge in different ways. Honey B takes the leap of faith into Green House 3, avoiding the grass. Mave takes her time looking around at her surroundings finding the best route to explore. And Willy B leaned into the new enclosure by stepping on the grass! I am so inspired by their bravery; for some chimps this could take hours to days to work up the courage to just get through the door. However, I think the anticipation was killing them! With no surprise Ms. Honey B was very busy testing and exploring. Honey B even started playing chase on the grass just an hour after being in their new enclosure. Mave too was going up and down and trying out each platform. I think she has a few good prospects for sunning and grooming. Willy B put on a good display for the ladies watching on Young’s Hill and later as things calmed down I found him and Mave trying out a potential new grooming spot. It’s a peaceful riverside view.
The new Greenhouse enclosures are truly spectacular. Not only is there so much vertical space, but the new structures in the enclosure are so cool. I can already envision groups of chimps having grooming parties up there or baking in the warm sun. It has the most beautiful views and the best vantage point to spy on all the neighbors. Not to mention… did you all notice the grass!! Well, so did Honey B… Luckily she seems to have left it alone for now. As a disclaimer, we knew the bamboo wouldn’t make it and that there was a potential that the chimps would pull up the grass. But, it doesn’t hurt to try, right? We have faith Honey B will leave the grass alone, but the bamboo? Only time will tell. For the moment, let us all take in the beautiful green grass!
Mave.
Honey B.
Willy B.
