Happy National Siblings Day, everyone! As the youngest sister to two older brothers, I confess that I didn’t know it was national siblings day until Chad told me today during our morning huddle. I feel like that tracks for my experience as the youngest sibling, though, and my brothers wouldn’t expect anything different. Now that I know, happy siblings day to my own brothers and to all who have siblings they wish to celebrate today!
One of my passions about sanctuary work is connecting the dots of the chimps’ family trees. While there’s information we don’t know, and details that we are learning as the years go by, what we do know is pretty special! We have quite a few siblings (both full and half) here at CSNW, so let’s take some time to celebrate them.
First up: Lucky and Cy are full siblings! They share the same parents (Herbie and Sally). They also look quite similar, especially when Lucky is worked up and her hair is pilo-erect (or standing on end). While Cy is more outgoing, when he’s not busy with his magazines, Lucky likes to hang back a bit. When I was in the interactions portion of my training, Cy immediately wanted to play chase while Lucky was more reserved and enjoyed hazing me a bit (her ability to jump on the caging in front of you when you don’t see her coming is uncanny). Over time we’ve built a special friendship with lots of grooming and some of the sweetest morning greetings. They both have a way of looking at you that makes you just stop and stare into their eyes for a while, while all your worries fall away.
Lucky (back) with full-brother, Cy (front)
While Lucky and Cy are full-siblings, they are also half-siblings to Rayne and Honey B since they share the same father, Herbie! What a group! Rayne is reliable and socially savvy, but with a spunky streak. Which makes sense, since she’s related to Honey B. As we creep up on the two-year anniversary of the integration of the six and the three, it’s really wonderful to see how Honey B’s relationships have grown- especially with Rayne!
Cy (left) with full sibling Lucky (middle) and half-sibling Rayne (right)
Honey B (Left) with half-sibling Rayne (right)
That’s not all! Gordo and Dora are also half-siblings, as they share the same father Les. Gordo can be aloof with the humans, but when he warms up to you he’ll engage you in a game of chase with his signature ‘bunny hop’! He also loves smoothies. Like, LOVES. Dora, while she can take or leave her breakfast smoothie, is known for her little head bobble. She has made a best friend in Mave, but her and Gordo enjoy fun games of chase.
Gordo (left) with half-sibling Dora (right)
Oh! And, speaking of learning family connections as we go, we can’t forget that we learned last year that Terry and Mave are also half siblings! They share a father, Conrad. We had wondered for a while, because they share a heightened level of floof and similar face speckling. I often think that they really do act like siblings- Mave will come up to Terry with one of her exaggerated, bouncing, loud greetings to which Terry often greets her quickly before turning away and moving on.
Mave (left) with half-sibling Terry (right)
While there aren’t any siblings in the Cle Elum 7, Burrito shares a father (Mack) with Clay, Jody‘s son, and with Noah, Negra‘s son. Both Clay and Noah live a life of sanctuary at Save the Chimps in Florida.
Handsome Burrito
And, of course, Missy is Honey B’s mom. Not a sibling-thing, but a family-thing.
Missy
Honey B
To add to the excitement, today has been a beautiful day and both groups got to enjoy a lunch forage in their outdoor habitats! Let’s start with photos of Cy’s group.
Who’s hand is that????
It’s MAVE!! While she’s been getting more comfortable on the Bray, today she participated in her first forage on the Bray. 🙂 Happy day!
She was anxious at first (she came out with a bit of a fear grimace and pilo-erect hair)…
But she got some reassurance from Lucky and began enjoying the forage.
Now, to Jamie’s group!
Sweet Annie-bird
Annie got a good stash of mini peppers…
But Jamie took the gold.
Grace this was an excellent post. I followed right along with the sibling pairs and family ties. With your notes of temperments and likes, I enjoyed this so much. Thank you
Well …..Jamie!…. of all the peppers, I see there was one you Didn’t Miss …..Let’s Hear it for the Toes ….I agree with the adage of No Pepper Left Behind:wink:…. what a Forage and I’m so Proud of Mavis…..see All the Little Treasures you’ve missed…..Enjoy All your Future Finds:hugging:
what a coincidence! Years ago I did an ancestry DNA test. Yesterday I was contacted by a young lady, and long story short, I have three new nieces! They are the daughters of a male child, My mother’s eighth child, that she put up for adoption. My brother’s daughters found me thru Ancestry. it’s been exciting!
This was a great post! I didn’t know about Gordo and Dora. And Mave! Oh my gosh I’m so proud of her and excited for her. And Jamie. She cracks me up with her peppers!
Wow, Paulette! That is exciting! They heard you were the fun aunt, and came looking!:smile:
Great news!
LOL you’re right. I’m the fun aunt. Lots of nieces and nephews but no children so they are all my children
Same. At keast, I hope I’ve been the fun one. For some, I think (the ones for whom I was more like a big sister).
It is so interesting to find out who is related. Especially fun to see the similarities! Wonderful you’ve been able to discover all these connections. Yay for sanctuary siblings!
MAVE!! She is on a roll! Conquering hers fears day by day. Joining in on today’s forage was such a giant step for her to make. I am so happy for Mave Courage has its rewards!
Thanks for the forage photos. Looks like peppers are a favorite.
I find it heartening to know that Jody had a maternal connection of sorts to Burrito; certainly she provided a motherly presence to him. I find it fitting that Bubba has an Aunt Negra.
As for Maeve’s kid brother, as I wrote in a picture book once: “Teeny Tiny Terry/has a big sister, Mave/a watchful eye she keeps on him/lest he should misbehave.”
Meanwhile, a friend of mine has a framed photograph of Mave’s best friend positioned in pride of place on a mantle along her other (human) primate grandchildren. I’m not quite sure of the genealogy involved, but, who could possibly resist having Dora and her big brother as grandchimpren?
Correction: Not unlike Heather and her two mommies, Burrito has two stepmothers. I regret the error, and both Jody and Neggie were, are always welcome along with my Cousin Burrito at the annual picnic in Parke County…
I’m curious as to whether they see the resemblances that we notice. Did Jody and Negra see something of his father in Burrito? Does Gordo realize Dora is a sibling, and look at the other side of the fence for prospects? Do Mave and Terry realize that they look alike?
I always love looking at other sanctuaries and seeing who is related to the CSNW residents! It’s fun comparing what features they share.
Also!!! It really is the year of the Mave! That girl is on an absolute roll. I am so glad to see her conquering her fears and even enjoying a nice forage outside!
I love the photos of Annie and Jamie with the mini peppers. Annie got a good haul, but Jamie just can’t be beat. That lady LOVES her peppers!
Just an amazing and wonderful version of TV’s “Finding Your Roots, with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.”
PS. That photo of Jamie at the end provided a “Laugh Out Loud” moment here and is surely destined to be a classic!:blush:
Im so happy to see Mave enjoying the Bray!! That fear grimace was too much!! Great post! Love this family group!