Today is the last day of February and the last of our “Be Mine” blog series. To top it off, it’s also leap day and time to highlight a very special chimpanzee on an out of the ordinary day. Rayne is an extraordinary person so it all seems to fit perfectly! Rayne is calm, collected and intelligent. She has an aura of wisdom and grace about her, but isn’t afraid to be silly and exuberant. She also can be fiery during conflicts when she needs to be. She loves smoothies and drinks and is very particular about her eating habits. She likes her food in a certain order and when it seems like she doesn’t want a produce item, caregivers know to circle back to her at the end of a meal to re-offer her some items. Rayne is a skilled lounger and can make boxes and firehose swings look extremely comfortable. Similar to Jamie, she too has turned into a Bonobo aficionado and can often be spotted carrying one of those picture books around.
Rayne was born January 29th, 1990 in the Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates. Her parents were Herbie and Thelma, which makes her half siblings to Cy, Lucky and Honey B. She also has a strong resemblance to Tatu, her half sister who lives at the Fauna Foundation in Canada.
Honey B, Rayne and Cy:
Rayne is a popular chimpanzee and has a solid relationship with all her group mates. It’s been especially fun to watch her and Honey B’s relationship blossom into a great friendship (even though they definitely fight like sisters).
Rayne’s quiet confidence has been on full display this past year as she has conquered the Bray without hesitation. As soon as she gained access to their new outdoor area, it was like she was made for it. There’s nothing better than watching her step outside and stride up the hill to find a comfortable spot on a platform or a peaceful place in the shade.
Rayne has a list of 8 very special Pals you too can be a part of. Thanks to Vicki, Monica, Melody, Elizabeth, Elijah, Adrienne, Kim, Diana K, and Tami for being Rayne’s Pals.
Happy leap day everyone! Now seems like the perfect moment to fall in love with Rayne.
I’ve enjoyed this series. And, as an addendum to today’s blogpost video, may I recommend the video “Holding Hands Around the Gatorade Pool” from 9.22.2023 starring Rayne Marie et Willy B…
Tobin, just a quick thank you for your recommendations of prior blog posts and for providing the dates they appeared. its always fun to go back and watch them again.
After reading the very enjoyable Be Mine blog series I want to give a shout out to Vicki and Monica for their incredible generosity in their sponsorship of the residents of CSNW. Im sure there are many of us who would like to be able to do this but are unable to, its a wonderful thing you both do, thank you.
Hear! Hear!
What a thrill it was (and still is!) to spot Rayne all over the Bray when her group first gained access to the great outdoors. Rayne looked as is she’d been exploring the Bray her entire life. I was/am so proud of her. And I always chuckle when I see her relaxing, perfectly balanced on a firehose. Plus, there’s no way you can ignore her flair with fashionable accessories!
But most of all I fell in love with Rayne’s sweet face (and her once dry ashen forehead that is now dewy with coconut oil :)) Honey B may be her BFF but I hope Willy B is her still her #2. I especially love Rayne for being an understanding friend to my pal Willy B.
I am sending you, all you amazing caregivers, a big thank you for taking the time to share the Fall In Love series, especially your bonus personal stories and insights. I really enjoyed each day! It was delightful to reconnect with all the little details, some obvious and others almost forgotten, that make each chimp and bovine uniquely lovable.
I want to join the others in saying how much I have loved the Be Mine series. I looked forward to reading it every day and I add my sincere thanks to everone at the sanctuary for the loving care they give.
Thank you all for a wonderful series…I’ve loved every one of them. OK…..questions! Who puts the forage out on the climbing structures and HOW?? ( I picture Chad in mountain climbing gear!) Looking again at these beautiful chimpy people and their personalities made me really concentrate on the numbers of years before sanctuary and their best life. If you think of thirty years and what YOU did for all that time, it’s incredible to think that they survived, didn’t have severe mental and physical problems and have embraced sanctuary life so much. I wish they could know how much love comes to them daily, not only from their besties but from the thousands of us all over the world.
Good question Carol! Most of us choose to make our best efforts and throw stuff on top of the climbing structures from the ground. Thanks for all your kind words!
Like everyone else has said, I’ve loved this series and getting to know everyone in more depth.
Rayne is just cool. That’s the best word to describe her aura, I think. Cool, effortless, confident, savvy. She just makes everything she does look cool and effortless, like balancing on a fire hose. Her budding friendship with Willy B and her getting to be close with Honey B makes me so happy.
Rayneeee……..!!!! Queen among the queens with her beautiful face, innocent smile and wise eyes! I’d like to say I chose her as my pal because I could see the resemblance between her and I….but, unfortunately, that’s not the case. But! I’m learning from the best chimPALzee!
I’d like to thank the sanctuary staff for their commiment and everybody else here for their support (material AND spiritual) and I wish all the sanctuary residents a long, happy and healthy life.