It’s a typical afternoon here at CSNW. Gordo was just yelling at Willy B, which led Willy B to intimidate Terry, which caused Terry to yell at Willy B, which led Honey B to yell at Gordo. And now they are all grooming together with Cy. I can hear the breathy panting and teeth clacking from the foyer. All’s well that ends well, I guess.
Gordo:
Things have been fairly quiet on the other side of the building, save for a few minor spats. I just took a walk with some of the gang to the top of Young’s Hill. Missy seems to think something is amiss with this giant tree root that we left behind as enrichment.
But she’s not willing to get close enough to find out what that might be. It’s too early for snakes, but better safe than sorry.
This afternoon I was putting together a new scale, which we can use to weigh chimps while they are on the cot as they are entering the clinic for an exam or procedure. A chorus of raspberries from the other side of the door suggested that it was a bit rude to keep this new piece of equipment a secret.
When I opened the door, all nine of Cy’s family were sitting in the medical room and the room adjacent to it, waiting to see what all the commotion was about. This group is often alarmed by new, large pieces of equipment but the scale appeared to be more of a curiosity that anything. After a quick look, they all went about their business.
Our old feral friend Barn Kitty recently returned from his travels throughout the canyon with a new and improved attitude. He’s mellower and generally less intent on hurting us, which is nice. In the past, his MO was to follow us around and use his tiny kitten voice to ask for food, only to hiss and swat at us when we tried to give it to him. I’m not sure what prompted such a change but it is most welcome, for however long it lasts.
I’ll leave you with this photo of our farm hand, Benny, assisting Kelsi with her cattle care chores. To be perfectly honest, he’s really not that helpful. I think he’s in it just for the Gator rides.