I can’t speak for all the caregivers at CSNW, but for me lead days require mental preparation ahead of time. Some of it is getting on the shifting mentality, thinking of material for the daily blog, planning the individuals that will be involved during introductions, etc. Today was one of those days that from the moment I woke up, all of that preparation went out the window. It turns out that as caregivers there are two things we can’t control: the weather and a group of riled up chimps.
Kittitas County woke up to a significant ongoing snow shower with more than 3 inches of snow already on the ground by 7AM in Ellensburg. Cle Elum did not get the same amount of snow, but the inch or so is half melted by now. The gloominess remains. Being inside was definitely the popular choice for the chimpanzees. This meant plenty of napping in the green houses and a lot of grooming.
For introductions, my wish was to have Gordo and Terry involved with Willy B and Mave. But Gordo and his 5 friends had other plans. While trying to sort them out, a fight broke out and although everyone was OK, it derailed the sorting. The final combination ended up being Cy and Terry with Willy B and Honey B. After many displays between the guys, the introduction remained through the mesh. At the time of separating the groups, Willy B and Honey B refused to go back into the Mezzanine. It wasn’t until dinner was offered that they decided it was the right time to go back to their enclosure and reunite with Mave.
View of our Spring snowy day
Jamie in the process of drifting into a nap in the green house
Terry grooming my boots
Cy and Terry grooming each other
Rayne, Cy, Lucky and Terry grooming
Rayne, Dora, Cy and Lucky grooming
i just love how they can rest at ease like they do. when one thinks of all they have been through in their lives prior to being rescued, it melts one’s heart to see them rest with ease.
God bless you all at CSNW!
at 5 AM there was no snow on the ground in Billings Montana. by 10 AM there was 8 inches.
Cheers!
So, has everyone simply decided to not try introducing the original 7 anymore? Surely y’all will try again, yes?
For now the priority is to integrate the 6 and 3 group. Because of past events, the seven are not in the plans for the moment.
I figured. Thanks for the reply.
I sense a look of disappointment on the face of Jamie. Of all the people, things, and situations in which she is Boss, a late winter, early spring low pressure system with precipitation is not within her dominion. If it is possible, please let Jamie and her friends know that an Easter Egg forage is still scheduled for Sunday and that they remain most definitely invited.
Love the photos of the “Groomers Four”!
And Mave got to enjoy some nice quiet alone time.
It appears you need to stay on your toes on lead days and the one thing you can expect is the unexpected! Thanks for the photos. Jamie sleeping (unexpected!). And I love the Grooming Shelf with everyone squished together.
Thanks for the beautiful photos. “Early spring” should be a season all it’s own. It’s the same here in Minneapolis, yesterday was sunny and warm, today is gloomy and rainy, wind is howling and I won’t be surprised to wake up to snow on the ground. Makes me wish I had a greenhouse and blankets to curl up with! You all do such a great job caring for the chimps. You have taught me that if today doesn’t go your way, there is always tomorrow.