It was perfect weather for chimpanzees here at the sanctuary this morning (in Cle Elum, this means warm sun with no wind!) so we decided to put out a breakfast forage on Young’s Hill. All of the chimps seemed more at ease and peaceful on the Hill today than I have ever seen them! No one appeared to feel the need to keep an eye on where everyone else was and just went about peacefully foraging in their own direction. Much to our surprise and delight Negra went further than I have seen her go yet! She immediately headed for the far side of the Hill and promptly sat down to check out the neighbor’s horses. I even saw her glance upward occasionally listening to the birds overhead. And as if that weren’t enough, Negra continued to roam and explore even further, enjoying handfuls of grass along the way. We were astounded and couldn’t stop taking photos! I think even the other chimps were excited to see Negra venturing so far. In the end it seemed to me that Negra had enough of all the paparazzi and promptly turned her back on everyone just to enjoy her adventure on her own.
I think Annie, Jody and Missy were as much in awe of Negra as we were!
I can’t tell you how it makes me feel to see Negra outside, in the green grass, with blue sky overhead. I am so glad she is getting out more and exploring the hill little by little. The all look so good outside.
It’s so wonderful to see that Negra’s confidence has come in leaps and bounds. Go Negra. This makes me happy. Nice post and photo’s.
Negras progress and healing spurts make me so very happy.
We ought never to question the resiliency of these and other creatures. Too bad we do not take our life lessons from the strength of these characters to recover from their hardship. Some take longer but they do get there. And that is very much in part to your dedication and patience.
Yay! 30 years in a cage — how many of us could survive that. And to see her roaming, breathing free, listening to birds — it doesn’t get much better than that. Makes me cry. Makes me so happy.
Such a wonderful post to read. All the trauma she suffered that made her hide under blankets and stay back while others ventured forward is melting away in green grass, sunshine, and a dedicated group of humans whose job it is to help her have the best remaining life she can have.
My heart aches with joy for all of you and for dear Queen Negra and her progress of emotional recovery.
What a sight! This is wonderful progress for Negra and for the 7! Can’t wait to see more.
I am sitting here with tears welling up in my eyes. Seeing our Queen make it further along than she ever has, well it’s just the best thing I’ve seen in a very long time. I’m so happy!
My sentiments exactly Sara, Amy, Nancy and all the others! Tears of joy for Negra and to all of you for giving her this wonderful gift of true love, hope and healing in her senior years.
She looks like a Buddha in the 3rd photo and I think she is as content as one could be too!! 🙂
Really nice seeing the contrast between Negra’s recent ventures outside versus earlier on when she tended to stay in more often.
Also, what I’d give to share what was the Queen’s mind as she looks out at what she sees.