It seems like just yesterday that we watched J.B. pull a white Ford Transit van into the driveway carrying the precious cargo that is Mave, Willy B and Honey B. While it seems like no time has passed, it has in fact been 3(!!!) years today since that momentous occasion and A LOT has changed around here since that day. Take a trip down memory lane with me and watch the video we made in 2019 about their journey.
Here’s just a few things that have changed since that day:
You may have noticed we weren’t wearing masks in the video because the pandemic wasn’t on our radar yet. Ahhh good times…
When they arrived at the sanctuary, the 3 newcomers moved right into the new Front Rooms and Mezzanine space. Since then, we have added a lot of new living space for them. This space continues to expand to this day as staff and volunteers string wire after wire for the upcoming new outdoor space called “The Bray.”
On a personal note, I was pregnant with a little baby Luna at the time of their arrival. Luna, now over 2 and a half years old, has fully transformed into a rambunctious toddler but still remains a curiosity to Honey B.
There are now only 10 chimpanzees left awaiting their move from Wildlife Waystation. Read the latest news about the remaining Chimpanzees in Need from the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance.
There were a lot of things that definitely didn’t go as “planned” (like our first introduction attempts) but the absolute best thing to happen since the arrival of Willy B, Honey B and Mave is their integration with the Lucky 6 group. Nothing brings more joy to us than to watch these friendships blossom.
A big cheers to many more years of sanctuary friendships!
Mave play bites Dora’s foot:
Cheers to many more munching moments like this one..
Willy B eats his lettuce from today’s anniversary party:
And cheers to countless more moments of intense eye contact with the incomparable Honey B:
Happy arrival anniversary to these 3 remarkable beings!
Susan says
I these blogs. I love everyone atcthe sanctuary and enjoy learning about each one and what they are up to. They are all so precious. Thank you to the wonderful staff there. You do a fantastic job at taking care of everyone. They are so deserving.
Tobin says
Thank you, Anna, for posting today’s blog. Indeed, it has been exhilirating to observe Honey B, Mave and Willy B over these past three years (and — YOWZA! — does it ever seem longer than 36 months!) and to see them reunite with their six old friends (and for Honey B, three siblings) from down south. Last but not least, it is heartening to read of Beezie and Luna’s friendship.
And the video of the journey is a joy to revisit. I know well Jamie’s terse if wise response in the Public Service Announcement she released from five years ago (“Do Primates make Good Pets?”), and, yet, watching Willy nod his head* as he looks out at the passing countryside, I wonder if, somehow, an exception could be made for a “travelling companion”? I know better…and yet, last fall while I was on holiday, I wrote to a friend that as the train passed through the Alleghany Mountains, “How I wish that I could have had a reason to purchase two extra rail passes and brought along Willy B and Cy as travelling companions. It was so easy to imagine the two of them looking out the window at the passing scenery, nodding their heads in curiosity.”
Alas, I am glad that Cy and Willy are where they are, available to each other for the sharing of reading materials and the clacking of teeth. Here’s to many, many more years of Hope, Love, Home and Sanctuary!
*Or, perhaps, he was just rocking out to the song stylings of Richard Cheese crooning Metallica…no doubt about it, Willy B was born to rock!!!
Susan Kathleen Feeley says
wow, you’ve done a fantastic job giving these amazing Chimpanzees a second chance and a place in the sun. I wish I could give you all a huge hug but instead I send you love and best wishes from Australia.
Susan Feeley( Annie’s pal) xx
tomaustin says
Having watched this journey from the beginning, I am very excited for the future….I sincerely hope they wear out the Bray with their enjoyment of the outdoors…………. :slight_smile:
Diane Kastel says
Painstakeingly executed, inspirational! BRAVO!
Linda C says
Hi, Anna!
Great pics from today, thank you!
And we’d love to see the adorable Luna interacting with Beezus any time!
Cindy says
thank you for giving ghese guys and gals such a wonderful life. Thank you for giving me something special each day to see. Blessings
Kathleen says
Cripes, that video gets me every time. Thanks, Anna, for including it in todays post. I can’t help but wonder what Mave, Honey B, and Willy B were thinking that day and throughout their journey. Leaving their familiar home and people who cared for them and being transported to who knows where, it had to be scary. Then to see them, together, settling in, safe….I can’t help but get emotional. A joyous cry. It’s the look on Mave’s face, actually it’s her entire body language, as she stands there, with her bright red blanket, frozen, focused, the only one in her new home and she sees you rolling in Honey B (about 4.24 into the video). *That* moment gets me the most. Dear Mave! And Willy B’s wonderful display announcing he’s arrived! It is hard to believe it was three years ago!!
And precious Luna! That’s one of my favorite posts, Honey B and Luna. Simply magnificent to be young Luna andhaving the opportunity of meeting chimpanzee Honey B and blowing her a kiss! Be still my beating heart. To give your daughter such and experience, Anna, well…it leaves me speechless.
Yes! Here’s to many more magical, enchanting, adventurous, funny, yummy, relaxing, enriching, celebratory moments. Here’s to finding HOME.
Paulette says
I know it isn’t Mave’s birthday, but that video reminded me of one of the first birthdays I sponsored where I wrote the following:
“Dear sweet beautiful Mave…Happy Birthday! I’ll never forget when you first arrived at CSNW. You were the first to be transferred into your new home. Then, holding onto your blankie, you watched excitedly as your friends Honey B and Willy B were rolled in and released. It was such a precious moment in that video, you holding onto that blankie. Then, watching you settle in -That was soooo funny! Another unforgettable Mave moment was when you three were being introduced to “the Cle Elum seven.” It was you Mave, trying to calm the nerves and fears of the others. You take such good care of your friends. Here’s to you Mave! You are love, and you are loved. Happy birthday sweet lady!”
I found that video and CSNW during the pandemic lockdowns. It was that video that made me fall in love with this precious sanctuary.
Happy anniversary to Willy B, Honey B, and Mave!
Kathleen says
That’s wonderful, Paulette.The magic of Mave. She created the CSNW BirthdayFairy!
Paulette says
Ha! You’re right, she did didn’t she?! BUT, my first sponsor a day was Valentine’s Day in honor of my one true love valentine Burrito! Boy did I fall hard for that guy!
Marya says
I’m so moved every time when I watch this video again and again, so thank you for revisiting it! Even the music brings grateful tears to my eyes. I love watching them looking pensive and anxious but not too disturbed, someone giving them water through the caging at a stop (Diana?), the gorgeous sunset, JB’s face while driving, all of it! Just a powerful documentary of the wonders of new life for the 3 (and now the newest 6). And that great snippet of Honey B scooting along, Willy B’s display and Mave’s thoughtful ponderings of her new surroundings. How could it be 3 years? And now they get to look forward to being outdoors along with the new group and having all sorts of new adventures. Much gratitude for all the hard work, perseverance, time, money, effort and love that goes into making their lives as fulfilling as possible, and for sharing every day with us! We know what it takes to add that to your day’s activities, and we’re so grateful to be a part of it.
Deanna says
The closing of WWS is still one of the hardest and most emotional experiences of my life… I am forever grateful to CSNW for being among the first to step up and offer sanctuary. I am thrilled at the life these chimps now have. They were loved by their caregivers at WWS and they are still loved but now live in a state of the art facility with lots of choices… makes my heart happy!