For some, birthdays are just another day, but here at the sanctuary we go all out to make sure birthdays are a big hit for everyone. Today we are celebrating that one of the Lucky Six, Gordo, turns 33 years old. This is his first birthday party celebration while living in the sanctuary and we had to make sure that it met all of his expectations. Gordito, because honestly he is not hefty at all and it sounds a bit more gentle has slowly come out of his shell and has shown to be a very sweet chimp, and has also proven that his name matches his personality in the sense that he is a VERY food motivated guy. For meals he will get his serving of food and then come back to ask for more as if he had gotten nothing, but nice try buddy we are trained to keep count!
Today’s party included a forage in the playrooms of oatmeal cups topped with grapes and shaved coconuts, banana leaves for browse and a tropical feel, and whole mangoes for lunch. I don’t know who was more excited about mangoes being on the lunch menu, the chimps or me. They always remind me of being back home and picking them from the huge tree in my grandmas backyard, or sitting under said tree with my cousins always with an eye out to not get hit in the head with a falling mango if the wind picked up. Anyways, here are some photos of the party!
Smoothie/juice bars have nothing on our caregivers ability to make snacks look amazingly appetizing
Once the chimps got access into the party area Gordo was the first one in and went straight towards the oatmeal cups
Gordo getting his lunch mango from Caregiver Anthony
Cy showing how a mango should be left after being properly eaten
Lucky enjoying her oatmeal cup
Dora with her oatmeal cup
And just in time for Gordo’s birthday, you now have the opportunity to become his Chimpanzee Pal (or a Pal to any of the 16 chimpanzees who call the sanctuary home)! Each of the “Lucky Six” are now available to sponsor through our Chimpanzee Pal program, so if you’d like to learn more just click here – OR – if you’re inspired to become a Bovine Buddy in time for Betsy’s birthday tomorrow, click here!
For the myriad of ways in which you each choose to support our chimpanzee and bovine families, it means the world to us and we could not be more grateful to you!
Maureen says
There’s just something about this Lucky Six! Can’t place it. Maybe just a je ne sais quois. So endearing. Appealing to the humans, and happy to interact, while still fully chimp people. Happy Birthday, Gordito!
CeeCee says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GORDO !
A big thanks to all the caregivers for making every birthday so special 🙂
Paulette Wrisley says
Sophia, where did your grandmother live? And Is that where you grew up?
Thank you for all the pics. Their quarantine should be up soon right? At least then all the caregivers will be free to come around any day they like.
Paulette Wrisley says
Oop never mind. I just read your bio… Puerto Rico! I figured it was somewhere south or tropical. My last residence had a huge mango tree so I totally get you about sitting under it 😀
Caroline says
Happy Birthday Gordito! What a beautiful birthday celebration you all have prepared. Thank you for all the hard work and effort I am sure Gordito and the rest of the family appreciate it.
John Joseph O'Brien says
Happy Birthday, Gordito. Hope you enjoyed yourself.
Kathleen says
Happy 33rd-but-first-birthday-in-your-new-home Gordito!
Oatmeal cups! What a treat, and they were not only delish looking, they were a big hit! Hope Gordo has a fun filled birthday from start to finish. May this be the best year ever. xoxoxo to you Gordo.
(Sofia, I can’t imagine eating mangoes directly from the tree. What a scrumptious luxury.
Jojo says
Happy Birthday Gordito! Those cups do look delicious. It looks like he and the others enjoyed his special day.
Linda C says
Hi, SofÃa!
I know what you mean about the mangos…my ex’s family had a huge mango at the back of the house. The extended kitchen area was partially covered with sheet metal, and I remember seeing the faces of my stepdaughter and her little cousin light up whenever they heard a mango hit that metal roof and go rolling down! Or seeing neighborhood kids attack the even larger one across the street with sticks after school, trying to knock one down!
Have the 6 figured out the Lixit system yet? I remember when Honey B figured it out and would help Mave and Willy B get their drinks. They don’t seem to have trouble figuring out the dixie cups!
Looks like our Gordito had a good time! Can’t wait to see what their favorite foods are!
Maybe somewhere down the road, once kitchen volunteers are back, you can show them how to do pasteles cons pasas, maybe for Xmas– I’ll bet they’d like them, even of they’re a lot of work!
Tobin says
Not only is today Gordo’s first birthday at the Sanctuary, but today is the first birthday party his five friends have celebrated in their new home with him. The spread looks delicious, and I hope that the birthday boy enjoyed his party; moreover, when quarantine is complete, I hope that he will enjoy his outdoors. I look forward to learning more about him over what I hope will be a happy new year of life for him.
Judy says
Wishing Gordito the happiest years of his young life yet ahead! What a glorious day for all.
Thank you Sofia for the great pics and wonderful descriptions.
Kathleen says
Wow. I just read the new bios for the Lucky Six. Ryane is a half sibling to many but I was surprised to read she shares the same mom with one of my long time favorite chimpanzees — Tatu! Thank you for each bio. It is moving to read parents names, to be reminded these were intelligent chimpanzee people who were forced to live unimaginable lives. How fortunate for those who have made their way to a sanctuary.
Reading the bios of Cy’s group and the CA three, and the original seven too, I couldn’t help but recall the days of chimpanzee experimentation. The term “Biomedical Laboratory” makes me feel sick to my stomach to this day. LEMSIP. The horrors of LEMSIP. Decades, all during my lifetime, of chimpanzees trapped and tortured in biomedical laboratories, or today, sitting, on hold, waiting to retire. I hope our society never forgets the sacrifices these chimpanzees made, unwillingly with no agency or autonomy of oneself. We owe them all a life in a sanctuary.
I first learned of Wildlife Waystation because decades ago they took in nine chimpanzees from LEMSIP. These nine chimpanzees were rescued by James Mahoney (nine out of some two hundred or more I think). One of these chimps was Booee, Nim’s brother. I have this thing for Booee, somehow he wormed his way into my heart and never left. As did Nim. I still remember feeling so grateful that Wildlife Waystation *saved* Booee and the other eight chimpanzees by taking them in at that time. I even wrote to WW to inquire about Booee and the LEMSIP chimpanzees and I always received thorough kind responses, even direct comments from Martine Colette.
I can’t wait for the day when we can celebrate together, chimpanzees and humans alike, the retirement of the remaining chimpanzees to their new, wonderful sanctuary homes. I hope I live to see it…. I can’t bear the thought that there would not be a day in my life where I could shout out that the last chimpanzees have finally been retired. Bring them home!
Linda C says
Wow, you have been following them for a long time, indeed, Kathleen!
Thanks for letting us know the bios were up!
PatC says
Happy birthday, Gordo! I’m glad you had a fun and great day! xoxoxox
Marie says
Happy birthday you amazing, wonderful boy.
May you have many, many more birthdays.