As you may have seen in yesterday’s blog post, the Seven are back on the hill! Here’s the video, as promised.
In case it’s not clear, we had to take down the original fence so that we could expand the overall habitat area and split it into two enclosures. The Young’s Hill side, which belongs to the Cle Elum Seven, was pushed further up the hill and to the north and grew by an additional half acre to 2.4 acres. This was only possible because we purchased the surrounding lots and no longer have to worry about encroaching development (after closing on another parcel yesterday, the sanctuary now owns approximately 110 acres). More space means more room for climbing structures, irrigation, and plantings, and we still have a lot of work ahead of us in that department, but we wanted to get the Seven back out as soon as the fence was complete. Perhaps more important than the expansion in habitat size, Young’s Hill now includes a stand of pine and fir trees, which Missy has already conquered. Who will be next?
One thing to note: Negra is not in the video as she did not go outside on the first day. Too many people and too much excitement, perhaps. But she just went out for a lunch forage this afternoon, so the Queen is also back on the hill.
Now that they are back out, we can turn our attention to completing the Bray. The Sage Mechanical crew is welding the remaining gates and post assemblies now and it will be at least a few weeks before we can complete the fencing on that side. We were fortunate from a construction standpoint to have a prolonged summer but fall weather arrives this weekend and winter won’t be far behind. So the timing for Cy’s group to learn about electric fencing and explore their new enclosure is somewhat up in the air. Whatever happens, we’ll work as fast as we can to keep our options open.
Our thanks go out to all of the donors that made this project possible. I also want to thank Dustin and East Slope Earthworks, Katie, Sean, Dusty, Ben, Karen, Richard, Elizabeth, Tom, Gordy, Steve, Debbie, Donna, Laurie, Kurt, Kristin, Jeremy, Liz, Michael, Lisa, Jesse, Adam, Kyle, Grace, Ryan, Jacob, Nolan, Karen, Claus, Logan, Kyle, Jan, Chet, Sabrina, Brenda, and Chelsey for volunteering their time and energy to help build the habitats. My apologies to anyone I accidentally left off the list. And of course we are grateful to Gary, Aaron, and Jose of Sage Mechanical for all of their hard work on this project. There’s something about the fact that these habitats are built by a community of supporters that makes them even more special.
Happy tears at their excitement and joy at being outdoors again! How wonderful!
“Ex lab chimpc climbs tree!!”. Should be page 1 headline news!.
Well done CSNW team for making it happen.
Wow, That was so exciting!
Missy was really high up there.
They all look so happy, Good to hear the Queen came out today. Thank you for all your hard work, and the great video:revolving_hearts:
wow! what an emotional journey. I’m so happy for them and for you all because you all have worked so hard to give them such a wonderful gift.. They are so inspirational!
Young’s Hill Heaven for the Cle Elum Seven! Words cannot express how thrilling it is to see little moveable brown dots rushing about after their hiatus! They look so small on this giant new hill. Thanks to all of the humans who made the renovation of the Young’s Hill possible! A toast to you all! Cheers and pant hoots! Karen and Don
Thankyou for all your hard work. Watching their excitement and joy at exploring their new expanded outdoor space makes me so happy for them . Free to climb a tree or sit atop a climbing structure and gaze out at such a beautiful vista. They so deserve it all . Thankyou xx
Tears of joy !!! So wonderful. Your vision and hard work is inspiring. Thank you so much for all you do in caring for these amazing chimps.
winter rye grass seeds broadcast on the hill will cutdown the dusty hillside for the winter….. grows fast……….
Oh my!!! Watching them explore and climb is just thrilling and so heartwarming. I’m hopeful Missy knew how to get back on the ground after her exciting climbing expience! The structures look just wonderful and having trees is a boon indeed. Blessings to all of you who continue to work so hard to assure the chimps can live their best lives possible, including the folks from Sage Mechanical. Wow!!
Thanks to all of you and each and every one of those volunteers for giving them a new and improved hill!
Looks as though Annie was the only one who was a bit nervous about the new space–The Boss took the lead, as usual, right out front (but walking counterclockwise, I noticed, and a few gave a glance toward the “neighbors” along the way).
Thanks for such a lovely, long video, JB. And thanks for letting us know that Neggie still up and about.
I see Missy and Burrito like the new large logs–those should come in handy in the winter
Is there still a firehose “tightrope” for Jamie and Missy to walk?
Annie was actually the last one in at the end of the day and she was outside more than anyone else the next day! How things have changed. There are still a few fire hose tightropes but we’ll be hanging more.
Thanks, JB. we’d miss our “tightrope walkers”!
I saw Annie getting hugs from Jo and Burrito, and that she let everyone else out first, thought maybe she was the most nervous. it’s good that that has changed!
Absolutely wonderful for the beautiful Seven. So happy for them. Yes it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for taking care of the Seven and the Nine.
My heart soars with joy at all the goodness, wonder and love CSNW provides all residents. You never fail to impress with the dedication you have for each and every lovely creature.
Thats lovely. Congratulations to you all on a job well done
Tears of joy! My heart is so happy for these babies. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You :heart::heart:
I can’t stand it! This is so fantastic! Wow!! I loved traveling over the expansive New Young’s Hill through the drone footage. Amazing how different it all looks, and yet, so very similar too. I am sure the chimps felt it too. Their backyard is so different and new and exciting but it is also familier because all their old structures are there to welcome them. Oh the looks on their faces, the reassurances, and the thrill of adventure! My heart is still pounding with joy.
After I absorbed The Seven’s reactions, my mind immediately went to Karen and Don Young….how exciting this must be for them to see their incredible gift expand into THIS! And I also thought of the sisters and their Tower now rooted deeply within the grove of pine trees. All the chimps gathered together on it to get a better view of their new surroundings below — proving the significance of this treasured structure.
Your sanctuary IS a community. A special place. A safe place. Dare I say, a magical place. Thank you, J.B., for compiling this video to document this fabulous day! I will be watching it many times over. I look forward to seeing the new enclosure change with the seasons over time. Especially the newly planted tress! Thank you, for all you do…..
What a sight to behold! A whole, tight-packed group of chimps, racing for the door, hugging one another once out. Fabulous! Tank you.
thank you thank you for all of your wonderful work in making these chimpanzees free and happy. The video is wonderful and I will watch it over and over. Yahoo to a wonderful job.
Woo-hoo!!! What a thrill! For the chimps and for all who love them. I am in awe of what you have achieved and your unfailing love and dedication. What a delight to watch them celebrate being outdoors again on their beloved hill. And one never tires of watching them hug each other in excitement. I can almost hear them saying “Can you believe this??!! Wow!! ?
you should be done buy now it’s taking to long
Ross hear I just can’t help myself you knoe how much I love you all God has made his presence known thruogh
this whole thing I have only love for all of you
good job
My first time to see those amazing creatures in your sanctury, it seems wonderful and a real treat to see those chimps that clearly were denied their life as nature intended it, alive and enjoying freedom and fun and life in general.
Every time I see chimps and think of the way they were captured and treated and caged for endless years, I can never believe that humans allowed it to happen altho I find it hard to think of them as humans. They clearly are made of something besides compassion and kindness and some trait that is not explainable.
Thank all of you so much for making the impossible happen, for your kindness and devotion.