Happy Birthday to all our March revelers! Don your waistbands, spring’s on her way!
Annie! The original waistband trendsetter:
As I write this, I’m listening to wildly singing birds despite us having received a rather blizzardy and unpredicted snowstorm the night before last. Betwixt and between, not really winter, not quite spring. Though here in the northern hemisphere we officially welcome the spring equinox on March 19th! The cattle are reportedly even beginning to shed their amazing winter floof.
And as a side note, holy cats!! Daylight savings time (for those of us subjected to it) is a mere ten days away! What that means for the chimpanzees is that their caregivers show up with breakfast service an hour late, but also stay an hour later, increasing their opportunities to enjoy more sunshine as we schlep toward those long-awaited warmer days in their greenhouses and outdoor habitats.
Since we’re already seeing the arrival of the spring fashion trend of wearing stretchy headbands as waistbands, it won’t be long before Negra will be out in search of fresh spring grass to eat.
Honey B on the go, in a blur, but ready for spring:
Rayne:
On to birthday news! Rather fittingly, we have one chimpanzee’s birthday to celebrate for the entirety of March. The king himself, Cy, will be turning 34 on March 12th!
Considered the current alpha of his group of nine, we’ve shared many times about the gift of a leader and all around kind, patient and easygoing guy Cy is. Superhero (if you missed this excellent blog post by J.B. of Cy’s incredible skills in action, it’s a must read/watch), bibliophile, rom-com-phile ( 🙂 ), Willy B’s personal protector and savior, are just a few additional descriptors of the really special person he is.
One of my favorite memories of Cy was earlier in his group’s integration, a quiet moment when all the chimpanzees were relaxing as we cleaned their enclosures and Willy B, for reasons that continue to remain unknown to us, decided to shake things up. Which is really a daily occurrence. I was cleaning in the mezzanine and could see Willy B through the window as he began rattling the caging, and the other chimpanzees began getting worked up in anticipation of whatever this guy was going to do. All of a sudden the entire floor started shaking. This was Cy on the way and his characteristic take-charge foot stomping. He can sincerely rock the entire building when he displays – it’s awe-inspiring and intimidating, to say the least. Cy came through the doorway of the enclosure, HUGE, hair on end, stomping and staring right at Willy B, who appeared to remain unphased. Cy stomped all the way up to Willy B and I couldn’t help but think things were about to naturally escalate. But then, in a very uncharacteristic chimpanzee move, Cy calmly reached out, gently took Willy B’s hand off the caging and calmly walked away. I couldn’t believe it. It’s one of countless moments that speak to how unique, kind and respectful Cy is.
Cy and Willy B:
Having been born in the lab and raised by humans, how is it possible that he gained such skills without the invaluable guidance of his mother and the chimpanzee family he deserved to be raised with? I think this further speaks to his character.
As a leader, Cy has his hands immensely full with managing the ongoing shenanigans of his family and group members, particularly as they continue to navigate through their integration with Willy B, Honey B, and Mave, in 2021. It’s pretty apparent he’d often rather be left in peace to leaf through his magazines or watch his favorites shows, which he entirely deserves to do. But he handles his responsibilities with the utmost heart and grace. We could not be more thankful for him.
Right about now, you’re probably thinking, “I need to be this guy’s Chimp Pal!” If you weren’t ready during our February Pal campaign, here’s another opportunity: https://chimpsnw.org/you-can-help/be-a-chimpanzee-pal/.
And for those who celebrate (everyone?!), we have the chimpanzees’ St. Patrick’s Day fest and feast on March 17th!
(Jamie feet with apple filled St. Patrick’s Day socks):
Then we end the month with the chimpanzees’ Easter celebration on March 31st!
Burrito:
Willy B:
The welcoming of spring would not be complete without one of my favorite photos of Jody, in her Mistress Forager element of pure delight over their Easter forage, giving us what can’t be seen in the photo, her endearing “bouncy greeting”.
So there you have it friends. Don your waistbands, your leprechaun socks, sing your songs (maybe Annie-bird style), greet your people by bouncing up and down, and join us as we celebrate the wonder of spring, the wonder of Cy, and the wonder of you, our incredible supporters! Thank you, always, for being here.
Marie says
Oh Jody…We so Love and Miss your Presence among us….so Bitter Sweet to see your One of a Kind…Beautiful ,Charming, Motherly Face..I’m Blowing Kisses to the Sky:kissing_heart:
Marie says
Annie get Ready to Greet Spring-Bird Style:hugging:
Kathleen says
As I turned my CSNW calendar to March, I kicked off the month by celebrating Willy B and Missy who are featured this month. I can see we have a whole bunch of celebrating to do this month! Can’t wait to honor Cy on his birthday! I would like to see him in action someday—quietly reading, enjoying his favorite shows, keeping the peace in his wise and generous way, and definitely, I would like to observe him displaying in the way you described! Cy?! Scary?! Seems impossible but he is male chimpanzee after all so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Willy B is fortunate to have Cy in his life.
Can’t wait for head-waist-ankle-wrist-band season to get in full swing. Go Annie! Loved all the photos today, especially Jamie’s feet grasping the apple filled green St. Paddy’s Day socks. The thought of Neggie leaving her warm soft nest to venture out in search of her sweet spring grass makes me feel piolerect with excitement! Can’t wait!
Gaynell says
Thanks, Kathleen, for mentioning ankle in your list of band wearing body spots. i’ll add that over my green socks on St. Pat’s day. Happy Birthday later this month to the best alpha, Cy. In times of turmoil calmness can diffuse much.
Lori says
As always, the lovely photos and essays are a bright spot in the day! Thank you for sharing these with us all!
Nancy Duryea says
Katelyn, thank you for a blog filled with interesting insight of Cy and his job as Alpha. He really is something else, intelligent, charming, well read and quite goodlooking. The pictures are wonderful, I loved seeing Jody.
Eli says
The beginning of spring is always welcome.
I wonder what color waistband Annie will pick this year?