Anna posted a few weeks ago about George becoming more comfortable here at CSNW and starting to take part in normal chimpanzee behaviors such nest building. In the beginning his nests were pretty sparse and made mostly of scraps of paper, boxes and the occasional blanket. More recently George started making much more elaborate nests of blankets and large sheets of paper we offer him as an enrichment item. In the wild chimpanzee’s make a new nest every night so here we do deconstruct their nests daily during our cleaning routine and we make sure they have clean blankets, paper and enrichment items they might like to include in their nests, like boxes, scarves and wooden blocks.
George in one of his first, more elaborate blanket nests. You can see he has a box of enrichment items that we offer all the chimps so they can carry them, play with them and just use the items as they see fit. Sometimes these items even make their way into nest designs, especially with the more experienced nest builders like Negra and Jamie:
In this nest he included some magazine pages:
Here, George opted for a paper base with a blanket over him:
George is really getting the hang of nesting! I get the feeling he’s going to be a Jamie or Neggie-style maximalist!
Oh, sweetheart!
He’s doing well! In that second photo, he truly looks like you disturbed his rest!
Sweet, sweet George, he’s become a nest architect! He looks so cozy in his blankets and looks like he wants a story read to him.?
He had nothing in Bandon except a tire and hard metal benches. He looks so very happy now. I know I am for him
Amelia I am so happy for you too. I’m sure George’s new home makes you as happy as it does George.
George, I like your style. Looking comfy and content. Thank you for providing him a safe place to express himself 🙂
It must be fun for you to watch his process. George is tapping into his creativity with all the goodies you give him. I’d say he caught on to nest building quickly! Now comes the perfecting stages. Love the Willy B blanket covering him and keeping him snug.
he looks so beautifully relaxed and comfortable. Thank you for providing things he was missing for far too long.
Isn’t he just the cutest boy? It’s so good to see his fantastic progress and he’s obviously caught on to nest building really well. He looks adorable and comfy…..and his play dates seem to be a success too. Loved the jumping jack bunny hops…..I wonder what George thought of them?.. What a different life compared to the miserable existence you rescued him from.
Thank you for giving him the care and love to come into his true self. These photos of him resting in his nest bring tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful boy.