I had this blog written around 1 pm. It was intended to be all about Neggie, but then we did an intro with Honey B and Terry today. Honey B and Terry’s first introduction didn’t go as we had hoped. Since then we have had them meet at the mesh a few times. Yesterday they met again at the mesh and it went really well, they were playing and laughing. We were so close to opening the door, however we humans were not quite ready yet. So today we decided if it went as well as yesterday we would open the door. Today we opened the door after letting them hangout at the mesh for a while and they did SO well! As you will see in the video, they are laughing, wrestling, and grooming. These behaviors give us hope that they have potential to integrate into a group of 9. Now, I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. Dyadic meeting can go really well, but once you had more chimps, it changes the dynamic of the group. But for now this was a HUGE success!
Since I teased you with an almost Neggie blog I might as well share it! This morning, as Missy’s group went onto Young’s Hill, I saw the usual people go outside. Missy sprinting out first, of course. Foxie, Jody, Annie, and Bubba formed a line and all marched out together. Jamie sauntered out on her own, but when I turned around to look at Negra in her usual nesting spot, she wasn’t there. Instead she was sitting on the Hill soaking in the warm sunshine and eating some delicious grass.
Linda C says
Aw, Neggie’s own version of a sun salutation!
Terry toned it down! He does have rhe cutest dance!
looks like Beezus may have met her match. since she’s the tricky one, I’m glad it went well!
Paulette Wrisley says
oh it’s gonna happen. i just feel it. Cy is the right guy to mediate. And Mave too. oh gosh I hope so.
So was Queenie the first one out there after all? wouldn’t that be somethin!
Tobin says
Beautiful Neggie, Our Lady of Grace, luxuriating in the golden grass.
Mary Garripoli says
Negra smiling up at the sun. Glorious!
Caroline says
Neggie is such an old soul, and I love how she worships the sun! She has such a serene look on her face, and appreciates absolutely everything. You and your team of extraordinary humans have given her and all of the others a fresh start at life filled with freedom of choice, kindness, love, respect, all the treats their hearts desire! You can see the serenity on Neggie’s face, she is happy and that is because you saved her, not only her, but all of the others, and that is extraordinary! Thank you for everything you have done for these beautiful souls.
Most respectfully,
Caroline
Marya says
What fun both of these videos are! It’s lovely to watch Terry and Honey B cavorting together in these ways. And Neggie — I think in her soul she’s an old philosopher just pondering life and the universe in some of the expressions on her face, especially when she’s alone in the field just watching and looking. Thanks for making my day, Kelsi and gang!
Jeani Goodrich says
Beautiful Neggie! I love seeing her get so much joy out of a blade of grass. Finally the outside is hers on her terms. :blush:
Kathleen says
Thanks for the idea of a blog all about Negra. She looks like she is glowing in that golden grass. No doubt Negra knows winter is around the corner and she needs to get outside to enjoy these fianl glorious days of summer warmth. I love these images! I love Negra.
The combo of Negra and the video is too good to be true. This video is so funny. Terry seems to be such a sweet goofball. He’s so funny and both Terry and Honey B look as if they are having such fun together. It must be so exciting to make a new friend after all these years. I am rooting for your continued success with the ongoing introductions!
Ryan Bergey says
Maybe after what happened with Burrito I’m too skeptical, but I’m not sure if the potential reward is worth the risk with integrating the groups? It just seems like it’s a huge focus, but the new group only recently arrived. I don’t pretend to have the knowledge you do, but I’m still unconvinced this is necessary.
Melly says
i keep thinking about poor Burrito and his balls….gird your loins Terry, Honey B’s not playing :laughing:
Linda C says
technically, we don’t KNOW she did it….
J.B. says
Hi Ryan – Thanks for your comments. We’ve written more on the subject in other blog posts but I’ll try to summarize here:
– Every group of chimpanzees in captivity, be it in a zoo, sanctuary, or lab, was the result of an introduction process.
– Because most facilities don’t share the process of intros in detail (successful or not) it makes them seem like unusual events, which they aren’t.
– Chimps are social beings, and having strong friendships is perhaps the most important contributor to their well being – even more than the type of food they eat or the enclosures they live in.
– Primatologists and accrediting bodies regulating chimpanzee care agree that, with few exceptions, sanctuaries, zoos, and labs must strive to create large and diverse social groups. Accreditation may even depend on it.
All that said, intros are obviously not without risk. My perspective is that the risk is built in to caring for chimps in captivity. In other words, it isn’t incurred at the moment plans are drawn up for intros. It would certainly be less acutely stressful for the caregivers here to keep maintaining a group of three. Ask any of us moments before we start an intro – we’d all back out gladly! But that group of three, as inadequate as it already is, would one day dwindle to a group of two, and then eventually to a single, lonely chimp. At which point do we decide to give them more of a social life? And if it has to happen eventually, why deny them the benefits now?
I hope that all of the chimps’ followers feel free to ask questions. I don’t aim to convince you of this particular course of action, per se, but I do hope that everyone can see that caring for chimps in captivity is full of difficult choices.
Karen Stewart says
Hi JB, Thank you for talking about this as it is something I have thought about with the 7. Buritto being 6 years younger than the next youngest Jamie, the thought of one these two living a full happy life span with their group and then potentially finding themselves on their own for their last years of their life is very sad. Is there anything that can be done regarding intergration by that stage or is it too late? How is this usually dealt with?
J.B. says
Hi Karen – The long-term benefit to the Seven was certainly on our minds when we tried to integrate them with the three Californians. But yes, there will likely come a time when some folks from Burrito’s group who have outlived their group mates need to integrate with others, and we’ll just have to see what the options are within the sanctuary at that point. Sadly, Burrito will likely not be one of the longest-living members of his group, given that he is a male with a heart condition, but he does continue to surprise us! One day, all but one sanctuary will need to send their surviving chimps off to other places so that they can be with others, provided they are healthy enough for it.
Kim Harris says
Honey B was saying Open The Door, for sure! She and Terry had so much fun together. Such a great play date!
I’ve been binge watching Monkey Life (up to season 10); it follows Monkey World, the ape and monkey sanctuary in Dorset, England. And seeing how important the group is to chimp society and their overall well-being, it makes me appreciate your efforts (even more) to bring these two groups together. I’m also seeing similarities in introduction techniques, as well as learning how the hierarchies and sex of the individuals affect the order of introductions. It’s a slow, but steady pace and progression. Being able to eventually integrate into a group of nine would be so rewarding to the three. Hopefully, this time next year we’ll be seeing a whole new group dynamic.
Miss beautiful Neggie, what a lovely lady! We should all strive to live up to her regalness.
Deanna says
:heart_eyes:such a happy blog and video!!! Terry and Honey are having so much fun!!! i loved the end when Terry kept trying to reach for Honey while was grooming him! They are such amazing chimp people! Neggie looked like she was in pure bliss!!! So nice to see her enjoy the outdoors!
Linda C says
maybe Neggie was also doing some spying on the neighbors?