Next up for our Valentines series is our newest and youngest resident, George! George’s story starts in California at Steve Martin’s Working Wildlife. When he was an infant he was used for traveling photo ops and then shipped to Germany as one of over a dozen chimpanzees over the years used in a German TV show called Unser Charly. With this kind of start to life it’s hard to guess how well he would adapt to sanctuary life here at CSNW.
George has grown so much since he came to reside here last spring, when he arrived at CSNW from a roadside zoo in Oregon. He’d spend his last years there alone – until everything changed. Since joining us, George has shown a kind of courage that you don’t see every day. He took the Bray by himself with just his caregivers to offer support from the other side of the fences.
In the past I’ve worked with chimps who were deprived of novel experiences during their lives before sanctuary, things like different foods and living environments and sometimes when that happens in their earlier years some of them don’t tend to be as open or curious about things, occasionally even developing a phobia like aversion to things like new foods, grass or open top enclosures. But not George! Since arriving he approached everything with curiosity and bravery.
George enthusiastically examining and then consuming a rose from my garden:
He’s always curious what new enriching food items we make him for celebrations:
George obviously won over the humans of CSNW immediately upon arrival.
Volunteer Patti & George gazing at each other through the window:
Caregiver Sabrina & George during one of his first outings on the Bray:
Volunteer Lizz & George having an early morning chat:
At first when George came we weren’t really sure if he knew how to make a nest to sleep in since he didn’t seem to do so at first but before too long he became a master nest builder, complete with a blankie over him for added warmth.
He started by using mostly paper but graduated to blankets over time:
And before long he started incorporating enrichment items like boxes and toys into his nests:
A very creative enrichment nest made of tickets and boxes:
George’s introductions to the Lucky 6 was just as impressive. At first, George seemed a bit lost when it came to socializing with the females like Rayne and Lucky. But it didn’t take long for him to figure things out. Watching him learn, adapt, and win everyone over has been a highlight of our year.
Honestly, when July rolled around and we started introducing George to the Lucky 6, every caregiver here had a few butterflies. Luckily, Cy, the steady leader of the group, stepped up as George’s mentor—and that bond is still going strong today. But some best moments recently have come from the unexpected friendships. Seeing Terry and George turn a morning game of chase into a daily ritual or watching Rayne stand up for George during a misunderstanding—he’s well on his way to being a part of the family we call the Lucky 7.
Cy & George
Rayne, Cy & George:
We’ve been thrilled to see him initiate play sessions with Gordo, who was a bit of a loner, and look forward to his continued expanding friendships.
Gordo grooming George:
George has just started his sanctuary life and hopefully he will be with us for a long, long time and so far George doesn’t have any Chimpanzee Pals so if you’d like to become his pal now is a great time!
