Many thanks to long time friend of the sanctuary, Dylan Most, for annually sponsoring the welcoming of the winter solstice with a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and cows!
“Happy Winter Solstice!”
One of the most frequent questions we’re asked is what the chimpanzees think of the snow here. The chimpanzees have access to their outdoor habitats year-round and while they get cold like the rest of us and don’t want to spend extended time outside when it snows, that doesn’t stop them from taking every opportunity to enjoy getting outside to explore their wintry habitats.
Winter weather can vary for us and while we’ve so far had more atmospheric rivers than snow yet, more often than not we at least get a few big snows. If not many big snows! In between snow events we will shovel pathways to the chimpanzees’ nearest structures in the outdoor habitats, sometimes lining them with straw. They really enjoy climbing up and taking in the winter views, especially on a sunny day. The chimpanzees never cease to amaze us in their ability to welcome all the things their sanctuary home brings to their lives.
Annie:
Missy:
A winter memory of Jody, Jamie, Burrito, and Annie fetching snow snacks:
Sweet Annie:
Foxie:
Burrito and his group don’t waste a single second when it snows before demanding their caregivers collect snow snacks for them. Smart! Why not stay in where it’s warm when you can get the humans to do it!:
Jamie:
Yep, even Negra enjoys partaking in snow snacks:
It took a little convincing, but their neighbors, Cy’s and Honey B’s groups (who had lived in California for most of their lives before coming to the sanctuary) have learned the joy of wintry snacks.
Terry:
Also former Californians, the bovine ladies, like Honey here, bring out their luxurious winter coats many weeks in advance in preparation:
Rayne:
Willy B:
This will be George’s first winter in his new sanctuary home. While we don’t know yet what he’ll think of it, we’re so grateful knowing he’ll be cozy:
Tracks of the elusive Pacific Northwest Mountain Chimpanzee. 😉 :
Happy wintering, everyone! May these days be as restful, restorative, and magical as possible, if even in the smallest of moments. Truly, every season has it’s wonder and beauty, and equal joy to those of you welcoming summer today in the southern hemisphere! 🙂
George would have seen snow but rarely here in Bandon. Rain, damp and cold, definitely. Sadly I didnt see much protection from winter the 1 time I visited him here. Im so happy to inow how much better hus life is now.
Oh, an extra Katelyn blog for Xmas!
Happy winter solstice and thanks to Dylan for sponsoring
That photo of Missy that Ive seen plenty of times before….the penny just dropped. Does it remind anyone else of “where the wild things are”?
Yes! It most definitely reminds me of Where the Wild Things Are! Every time I see that photo of Missy, I tried to think what she reminds me of. Thank you, Linda, it was driving me crazy.
OK well now I have to go watch where the wild things are!
BRB
Thank you Dylan! we love sponsorships because we get to see extra photos of our beloved. And today’s pictures are magical. All of them. But isn’t upright Annie just the sweetest! She cracks me up.
Winter Wonder-ful that you sponsored the Solstice. Thanks Dylan, for thinking of the chimps. And thank you, Katelyn, for all these photos. Love them all, especially the one with Jody.
Thank you once again, Dylan for sponsoring a Solstice Day as a Day of Sanctuary. For all of my grief at human behavior, this Earth is still a World of Wonders. There are chimpanzees, cattle, canines, a barn cat, and just the precise amount of axial tilt in relation to the Sun to make this planet worth the visit, and worth preserving.
?Thank you, Dylan!?