Last night a new weather pattern rolled in and we were all able to breathe a sigh of relief. The thick smoke that we have been living under for over a week has finally lifted, at least temporarily. The cooler temperatures and higher humidity should help the firefighters continue their containment efforts on the nearby Jolly Mountain Fire.
I can’t tell you how great it felt to be outside today.
While Foxie, Annie, and Burrito took to different levels of the Lookout after breakfast, Jody went out to collect some bamboo to snack on.
Negra set up camp in the greenhouse, where she could enjoy the breeze from underneath her protective shield of blankets. Each time we walked by, she would stick foot up to the caging as an invitation to play. While tickling her foot I could hear a brief and very faint laugh. That’s the best you can hope for from this old grump.
Annie seemed to relish the cooler air. She must have made five or six different nests in the greenhouse today but in the end she chose to forego the blankets and relax au naturel.
Missy pulled her barrel up to the playroom doors so that she could keep a watchful eye on the goings-on in the kitchen. Volunteer Patti brought a car full of donated fruits and veggies from Darwin’s Natural Pet Products and Charlie’s Produce, so our official tomato inspector had to evaluate the haul.
Foxie was in a devilish mood. Anytime I would walk into the playroom area, she would climb to the top of the caging and throw her Dora the Explorer doll down to me. When I would try to give it back to her, she would spit water at me, spin in circles, and then run away laughing. I don’t know why every game has to result in me getting wet.
Burrito has been a but of jerk to his family members lately but today he was mostly back to his goofy and charming self.
Jamie greeted Patti with uncharacteristic excitement this afternoon. Before Patti could finish unloading all that produce, Jamie had roped her into an enthusiastic game of chase.
Later Jamie led Anna on multiple walks around the hill. It really felt good to be outside.
Vicki says
Really great post today. You have such a way of making us feel as if we are on each adventure with the seven. So glad for the relief from the smoke.
jolathrop says
Beautiful post, JB!! Thank you so much ~ really gives us a window into their (and your) worlds!! Appreciate it so much! Hugs to you all….
Kathleen says
I think everyone had a wee touch of Cabin Fever with the heat, fire, and smoke! SO happy you had cooler temps and sunny smoke free skies. I enjoyed the story about each chimp and the photos, as always, made my cloudy cold day!
lisa says
thanks so much for sharing the lives of these beautiful souls with us all. we get a glimpse into their world because of each of you / all of you. I am – simply put – so very, very grateful. I’ve said this before, but I have to say it again . . . I look forward to opening my e-mail and seeing a post from “wordpress.”
thanks again and again and again.
lisa
Elaine Reininger says
Got a kick out of your comment about every play session winding up with you getting wet. Sure would love to know why they all do that to your wonderful caretakers.
Karen says
JB- What a beautiful blog. We are so happy to hear that the fire is being contained and that fresh air arrived so that all could enjoy being outside. The hill looks beautiful! It is thrilling to see the chimps enjoy two acres of space. We love these daily Blogs which allow us to connect with the chimps, the sanctuary and the amazing staff including you and Diana of course! Karen and Don
tobin says
I am relieved to learn that the smoke and fire have abated. I only hope that the sound of Negra laughing and the sight of Foxie dancing (give or take an effusion of water from her mouth) has been captured on video. I hope that Her Majesty enjoyed her foot being tickled by one of her loyal subjects.
Chris says
Now all we need is a great rain storm to put those fires out and finally clear the air…literally! We really do take for granted just being able to be outdoors on a clear day! It seems it’s made quite a difference in the chimp’s attitude as well..although I’m sure they sense weather changes, etc. much more acutely than we do.
On another note…as I’m looking at the photos of the hill…what were some of the determinates of the size of the outdoor enclosure? Such as, why 2 acres and not 1 or 3? Did you just enclose as much property as you could, keeping within a certain budget, etc. It really is extraordinary what you have done there for the magnificent 7! It never fails to amaze me…
J.B. says
Hi Chris – The size of the hill was determined partly by budget but mostly by the practical amount of space we had to work with at the time (considering things like topography, distance from property lines, etc.). In my opinion, we should always try to give former lab chimpanzees as much space as possible, but when we are weighing that against the need to build more enclosures to house more chimps and other primates, I think that the sweet spot is probably somewhere between one and three acres. Some will never use that much space (Negra) and others will make the most of every inch (Missy and Jamie).
Chris says
I agree…the more space the better but obviously lots of variables to consider…I really do hope with time, that Young’s Hill be will home sweet home to other chimpanzees that deserve to live out the rest of their lives in the wonderful, comfort and freedom there…
PS. That’s ok that Negra doesn’t use all that outdoor space because she has all that comfy, amazing, indoor space…with room service! 🙂 And she deserves every bit of it…