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.
Stacey Bradley says
I’ve been waiting for this moment. All 3 were so brave!
CarolR says
Oh what joy! They’re all so curious and brave. I can see many future hours playing, grooming and sunbathing in those beautiful greenhouses, and who knows…..once they’re used to the feel of grass in there, their outside space might not seem so scary. Well done to everyone….chimps, caregivers, designers and builders for a fantastic job.
Linda C says
Ditto all of what Carol said!
tom austin says
when the new guests arrive, will the groups be limited to one or the other of the spaces…..?
CeeCee says
This is so exciting !
Thank you for sharing, and thank you for working so hard to make their lives so wonderful 🙂
Jill says
Such a beautiful site to see!! So happy for Mave, Honey B and Willy B, can’t wait to how they all settle in to their new green house. Thank you for all love you give these precious souls!!
Keith Dawson says
Fantastic video. Great to see the Chimp’s using chairs as “bridges” to cross the grass. Does that count as not just tool use but construction work!
The space looks amazing. Well done all those who work so hard to make life better for the Chimp’s.
Anamaria says
They’ve been watching and supervising the creation of this amazing new space and are now ready and able to fully experience it, what a pleasure to see. Love that bright green carpet of grass – long may it live! Thanks for sharing this very special occasion. 🙂
Tobin says
I heartily commend — and HOOT! — my compliments to the CSNW for the design and contents of this greenhouse. I especially like the logs…could some logs be placed in the other greenhouse, too? I hope that Dora and Co. will enjoy this space as well.
Francoise says
Brilliant brilliant brilliant! What more can be said? Just that you guys are all-around awesome. You must have been beside yourselves with anticipation. Is that Honey B with the scarf? So sweet.
marianne says
What a fantastic new space you all designed and build for the Cali3 and soon the Luckey6, (Maybe the Cle Elum7 will get an upgrade to their greenhouse in the future?)….
I loved watching how they all have their own personal way of handling the new greenhouses:…rushing in; watching, checking and using a chair to avoid walking on grass; and just stepping quickly and fast so the moment of touch is as short as possible.
These chimps are so happy and luckey to be cared for by you ( and us in a more supportive way ).
Lets keep this wonderful sanctuary a safe and well supported place.
Caroline says
This is such a great day for them, I’m so happy they all braved the scarey green grass and entered their new play area! How exciting it must have been to see that in person! It was exciting just watching the video! Thank you for enriching their lives even more!
C
Mo says
What a truly incredible video! I felt that I could see each of them thinking about what they saw and how to deal with it. And such brilliant tactics they all took!
I was surprised at Willy B’s hesitancy, though, as he’s been on the hill and has touched grass. But this is new grass, yes?
Great space. I look forward to seeing it quite often.
Linda C says
Last I knew, he was still avoiding the grass in the courtyard whenever possible
Betsy says
Thank you for the video and photos, they were delightful. I’m eyeing my backyard, wondering if a similar greenhouse would fit back there, that platform looks tempting for an afternoon of dozing and reading.
Watching these three negotiate the grass reminds me of when we brought my daughter home from an overseas orphanage. She was 3 and had never seen grass or plants – the kids played in a concrete courtyard. So when we took her to the grassy backyard and tried to set her down, she went bonkers. She kept trying to pick up both feet at once, as if the grass was hot lava, shrieking the whole time. Our other children and all the neighborhood children were playing there, so after a while of holding our daughter we got a blanket, spread it on the lawn and plopped her down on it. She had her “raft,” just like Willy B and his “boat.” I’m pleased to say that after a few weeks of this she decided that playing with the other kids was too tempting, she left her “raft” and never looked back. There is so much room for growth, each in their own time.
Linda C says
That’s an amazing story, Betsy!
Betsy says
Thanks Linda. My daughter’s an adult now, so it’s a fond memory, but at the time it was more than exasperating!
Linda C says
I’m sure it was! My favorite hygienist at the dentist’s quit to raise her daughter when she reached the terrible 2s….Lisa loved nothing more than going to the beach….her daughter hated sand on her feet! 🙁
Judy Jones says
What an exciting video. I loved watching how each one of them approached the new space in their own way. The new Greenhouse enclosures look incredible. Thanks for sharing!
Kathleen says
My pounding heart shot into my throat as I watched! All I could do was imagine what Honey B, Mave, and Willy B were thinking and feeling. Wildly courageous, each one! Resourceful Mave putting out the chair. Honey B realizing these new digs might need better attire so she wraps herself in a red scarf to meet the occasion. And Willy B displays to Hoot out to everyone he’s there, he’s done it! And the light!! I can’t get over the glorious light streaming in and working with the subtleties in the paint colors. The greenhouse will be their “Photo Booth”. The glowing light and shadows simply a dream for photographer and artist alike!
And I couldn’t help but think of each of you, the caregivers who anxiously waited for this moment. What thoughts and emotions were racing through your minds and hearts as you “stood on tiptoes” (Katelyn’s perfect descriptive phrasing) and watched the moment unfold.
Bravo. One and all. THIS is sanctuary.
One question however, where’s the big screen TV so Willy B can watch his programs while lounging in the fresh Cle Elum air?! 🙂
Jordan Bower says
This is SUCH wonderful news! The space just looks beautiful, sunny, bright and fun!
Maureen says
What an all-round great, beautiful space. I’d be happy if it were mine. Very lucky chimps!
Linda C says
That sounded (and looked like) Foxie and Jo giving them guff from up on the hill. Who was the third?
Paulette Wrisley says
I was holding my breath, and then jumping up and down Absolutely GIDDY To see Mave and Honey B go outside, or semi-outside. I hope this space serves as a bridge to the true outdoors and gives them the courage to give it a try in the future. I’m sure there were tears of joy running down your cheeks.