Each year, our wonderful friend and amazingly talented graphic design volunteer, Kathleen, sends us a custom advent calendar for the chimp house.
I know that for many of us, 2021 has felt like another lost year at best. But for the past month, this calendar has served as a daily reminder that we have so much to be thankful for.
Behind one door, we were reminded of Jamie and Burrito’s newfound friendship.
Behind another, we saw the cattle experiencing the simply joy of an open pasture.
We were reminded of the time Jody put on a master class in foraging on Young’s Hill on Love a Chimpanzee Day.
We got to see the chimps explore new playrooms and greenhouses,
and enjoying some time outdoors.
We recalled the day we welcomed six more chimpanzees to the sanctuary,
and the process of getting to know them.
There were reminders of challenging times as well. Burrito was bitten yet again by a rattlesnake,
but he survived to grow even stronger and, somehow, even happier.
We were reminded of times the chimps met new human friends,
and began making new chimp friends.
2021 was not the year we had all hoped it would be, but thanks to you there was still so much to celebrate. And whatever happens next year, you can be sure that there will be even more highlights and accomplishments to look back on next New Year’s Eve. Which makes me wonder…what will Kathleen use for her advent calendar photos next year? Cy’s group exploring The Bray, their new open-air habitat? Willy B climbing to the top of Ryan’s Lookout? Honey B racing throughout the new 5,000 sq ft flex-fence outdoor enclosure? Jamie climbing a towering pine tree at the top of the renovated Young’s Hill? We can’t wait to find out!
Happy New Year, everyone, and thank you for your ongoing support.
