Sometimes the best enrichment is the most simple enrichment. For example, all the chimps love boxes whether it’s to help build a nest, use as a tool to display with, or just play with. As you will see in the photos below and video above playing seemed to be the theme today!
As we continue on with our intro week we decided to try an all girl group again. Honey B, Mave, Rayne, and Lucky all volunteered to be a part of it today. We had tried this group before and their behaviors weren’t positive enough to open the door. But it has been a while and they all have done other introductions with each other so we thought we would give it another go! They did amazing, so good that they stayed with each other all afternoon. Rayne was just a jokester the whole time. At one point she was wrestling all three ladies! Honey B hasn’t had a person in her group to match her energy in a long time, Honey B and Rayne are a perfect match! Watching these four chimpanzees grow and develop friendships has been a true honor.
Now for box photos!
Gordo in a box:
Gordo having pomegranates in his box:
Lucky on a bench in a box:
A bonus photo of the handsome Cy:
And of course we could never forget that today is Honey Cow’s 14th birthday! She enjoyed the warm sunshine on a brisk day, fresh hay with her friends, and some tasty cob that Betsy swore was for her ;).
Getting to know Honey over the past few years has been a privilege. She is a fierce and loyal friend, self-assured, she can be sweet, and she is not afraid to tell you to go away! Cheers to the amazing Honey.
Re Gordo in a box — he looks like a commuter riding the subway LOL.
LOL he sure does!
You beat me to it! 🙂
they must have worked-up a good appetite…..lot of exercise for those ladies…..
It’s such a joy to see these videos and photos of their afternoon together! It’s thrilling that these women are working on establishing supportive relationships with each other in the safety of the sanctuary. Gotta love those box photos! They look like they are in a commuter car waiting for the train to leave the station!
Rayne is a total crack-up. Her head first belly dives, somersaults and spins had Honey B and Mave going. I wish we could see Rayne and Foxie together, now that would be something! For now, I think Honey B may have met her match and then some. Lucky looks like such a sweetheart.
I love the family shot of the birthday celebrators. A fun time being had by all. Happy 12th to beautiful golden Honey!
After intros and
play time how do you get them to reseparate to their respective groups?
I was wondering the very same thing. What would happen if a big fight started; how would you get them to separate before serious damage is done to one or all of them.
I think they’ve said in the past that when they absolutely have to break them up, a treat like chewing gum works
Was that Rayne doing somersaults? What a hoot!
I think Rayne is originally from Brasil, where she learned those martial art/dance moves from Capoeira…
or she had a breackdanse class….?
Great to see Honey B and Rayne together; they dò have similar naughtyness en intelligence.
I am looking forward to the next FULL girlsgroup meeting ( including Dora ).
Love love love the playface under the blanket!
I love both that Rayne tried to bring Mave into the play so that no one would be excluded, and that most of the time, Mave seemed to be circling them like a referee at a boxing match, making sure no one got too crazy.
I’d love too see a session with Rayne, Beezus, and li’l Dora. I bet that would be a super high-energy play session!
In the first photo of Gordo in his box, he looks as if he’s about to take off in a hot air balloon!
Sigh. Mave looks so.sad in that one photo. 🙁