First of all, today is Dora’s 36th birthday! Many thanks to our staff as well as interns Sarah and Taylor and Dr. Erin for pulling off a party for the birthday girl even when we were somewhat short on staff. And many thanks as well to Paulette Wrisley for sponsoring the day on Dora’s honor! We’re excited to share photos and video with you all tomorrow when we have time to prepare them.
In the meantime, I wanted to share a video about our boy, Willy B, and the journey he’s been on to become comfortable with the outdoors. I can’t tell you how often I want to be frustrated with this confused, self-sabotaging, sometimes-sweet-and-often-a-jerk, man-child of a chimpanzee. But I know what he’s been through. And I wanted you to get a glimpse as well. It’s really a miracle that he made it out at all. Every time I see him sitting in the grass or walking to the top of the Bray, I feel so proud of what our team has done and what you all have made possible.
My motive for sharing this now, if I’m being honest, is that I thought it would be a good lesson/reminder as to what might lie ahead for George. I know that many of you are excited for what’s next once George completes his quarantine, but I want to prepare everyone to be patient. We don’t know how George will react to other chimps after living alone for so long and we don’t know how he’ll react to a 2-acre habitat after being restricted to small cage for most of his life. Some chimps rush to embrace every new opportunity in sanctuary. Others take their time. It’s all up to them.
But at least now George, like Willy B, will have a choice.
Such a great video, JB. So proud of how far Willy B has come. I can’t believe it has been six years already!
At first, I thought I was watching old footage. But this time, there’s Mave, making some brave choices of her own!
I will never forget that Willy B is the first one I ever saw take a nap outside. on the platform, he’s comfortable.
I have a feeling, after seeing George go out into the chute so confidently, that he’ll go quickly. And when it comes time for integration, my fingers will be crossed for a while.
Willy’s story brought tears to my eyes. Just look what we do. Thank you for sharing and for caring for these magnificent creatures
I cried, as well. Willy B was such an innocent baby, and was treated so badly. Thank God he was saved.
For the first many years at CSNW, Willy B was grouped with Honey B and Mave, who also wouldn’t go outside. It wasn’t till after the integration with the Lucky 6, and hanging out with his bro, alpha male Cy, Willy B finally found the courage and motivation to go out onto the Bray. Because the other guys were. Mave and Honey B finally tried it as well.
Now that everyone is more comfortable going outside, I think no matter what group George joins, he’s going to be encouraged and motivated by his group to go outside pretty quickly. I suspect it’s not gonna take much prodding. He just seems pretty adventurous. And it will be such a joy to watch!
I loved your description of Willy B JB. Honest but kind. LOL
Thank you for being so patient with Willy B. Also for trying different introductions and integration techniques for his adjustment into a comfortable family group. Seeing him as an infant in a diaper was sweet as well as heartbreaking without his chimp mother.
The views of Willy B. as a young guy were so heartbreaking, and reminded me once again what a mitzva Sanctuary is. Seeing him stretch so far while keeping a little part of his toe on the familiar walkway shows what a smart and determined adult he’s become. And I’m heartened by Paulette’s words concerning how these friends have helped one another and will continue doing so. Thank you all!
Happy Birthday, Dora and thanks Paulette for sponsoring her day. What an awful image of poor Willy B’s early life and look at him now. i remember a day when his alpha buddy and my all time favorte guy, Cy, went outside to reassure Wiily on a walk back inside. group dynamics can be awesome. We are all rooting for Geirge to have an easy transition thru his integration woth ither chimps and exploration of his surroundings. it may take time and it may have some stops and restarts, but CSNW will give him ecouragement and patience as he journeys thru his new chimp life. Good luck,George. You have a lot of friends wishing you the best.
What an awesome video JB !
I’m so proud of you Wiily B, you’ve come do far.:revolving_hearts:
I wanted to ask JB, this video is SO good , are you planning to show it at the HOOT in October?
Thank you – no, that’s not the plan. But we’ve got some other great videos in the works for the event!
I agree that it’s well done and should be an intro video to anyone new to the sanctuary! Because many of them went theough something similar
I’ve been on Team Willy B, cheering him on through all his brave advancements, since the first time I saw him. Seeing him in this video as a youngster, and confined in a small laboratory cage, is simply heartbreaking. It’s cruelty. All the more reason to love him and hope time will heal his many wounds.
J.B., I appreciate all your posts about Willy B and his “awkwardness” and his struggles. Each post gives us a better understanding of his challenges, something we wouldn’t be aware of otherwise. I still get excited for him when I see the old clips of Willy mustering up the courage to inch his way out over the boardwalk on the Bray. You can just feel his anxiety (don’t touch that grass!) and his desire to get the treat! And I confess, I miss seeing him sitting in his tub-boat on the grass! (Linda, I know you’re with me on this one!)
If I feel proud, and so full of love it hurts, for Willy B for all his brave and wise choices (and even for his not so wise choices!), I can’t begin to imagine how you must feel! There must be times where your heart bursts.
It’s not about being the best, or the first, or the most adventurous, it’s just about being who you feel comfortable being. Keep on keeping on Willy B! And I am looking forward to seeing what surprises George has in store for us!
I sure am!
Tub-boat Willy forever!:laughing:
A little background for the newcomers: Willy B, Mave, and Honey B came from the Wildlife Waystation. An attempt to integrate them with the original Cle Elum seven didn’t work out, so the three of them remained a group of their own. Being the only male, Willy B was the default alpha. When the lucky six arrived, also from the wildlife waystation, the three were integrated into the lucky six. But Cy was the alpha, and a very strong alpha at that. A very calming alpha for the group. But Willy B struggled. You could set your watch by his displays and tantrums every afternoon. It was very disruptive for the group, with near daily fights. So the team tried to do a re-integration. That apparently didn’t work either. So the three were again separated into their original group. But Mave and Dora (one of the six) had become inseparable. And Dora had a great relationship with Honey B as well. So they moved Dora with the group. And that’s where we are today. The group of three and the group of six became a group of nine, and then the group of nine became groups of four and five.
Of course we’re all wondering where George will fit! I’ve been thinking it through… The Cle Elum group are pretty much senior citizens. Burrito is so young at heart though, and has no guy friends,…but I just don’t know
And then there’s the group of four with Willy B. Oh Lordy, I don’t know about Willy B.
And then there’s Cy’s group. Cy would be awesome for George. Of course that all depends on George. Is he an alpha? Will he be submissive? Who knows?
Question: do you think the other chimps will realize how young George is?
Yes, I think chimps can gauge age pretty well based on physical characteristics but they’ll also recognize him as an adult so they won’tcut him any slack for being a youngster as they might foor a juvenile.
addendum: don’t you think Honey B would be a wonderful feisty big sister for George! just think of the mischief they would get up to LMAO!. Of course you know how much I adore Honey B. and Mave would be a good mom. And who knows? Maybe Willy would be a great big brother!
oh the possibilities!
Thanks for telling Willy B.’s story. So very proud of him and all the chimps and believe George will really find his peace and home at CSNW!??
Thank you, Paulette and CSNW staff for throwing a birthday party for Dora! :rose:Happy-happy birthday, tiny Dora!:birthday:?
This made me cry,too. Thank you J.B. for telling Willy B’s story. He has overcome so much. Thank you all for giving Willy and all the chimps chiice and time to heal and blossom. ?Love you Willy B