Despite this being one of the hotter days this year, the chimps in Terry’s group spent a considerable amount of time on the Bray. One of Terry’s favorite spots is on Ryan’s Lookout, where he is often joined by Rayne and Gordo. Cy even made the trek out to the Lookout the other day! Here’s Terry:
Lucky continues to enjoy her time outdoors but she prefers to stay off the grass whenever possible, which somewhat limits how far she will go. Today she found a way to sit near the ground without actually sitting on the ground.
Foraging for nuts is a little more difficult when you can’t touch the ground but she found a way. She then climbed up to crack them open with Terry and Rayne.
Rayne was reluctant to part with her new favorite book so she took it with her as she hiked around the Bray.
Eventually she set it down and took a walk with me to to the top of the hill.
She’s very interested in the Young’s Hill side of the things…I’m sure she will be excited when both groups are outside at the same time. As far as that goes, we’re just giving Dora a little time to see if she wants to explore the outdoors further without the added pressure of six chimps hooting and hollering at her from the other side of the fences.
Gordo likes to tag along when Rayne explores the Bray. He gets a little nervous when they venture to the farther reaches of the enclosure.
When they reached the top of the hill, Rayne spent some time taking in the view. Gordo waited restlessly for her to head back.
This was, for me, the closest I’ve come to joining any of the new group on a patrol. Once the groups are in their outdoor enclosures at the same time, I’m guessing that Rayne, Gordo, and Terry will do this more regularly. And I’m hoping that Cy will put his magazines down long enough the join them—you know, him being the alpha and all…
Or maybe, as it is on the other side of the fences, the girls will just have to take the lead.
the weather sure is nice…..although you did say HOT…..how far apart are the fences..? appear to be close to 20 feet..?
Hi Tom – There are four fences between them with 10′ in between each fence, so a total of 30′.
What!……..You mentioned a Favorite Book…. But…. WHAT’S THE NAME?:grin:I see that Cy is leaving a lasting impression:smirk:…. so nice to see they’re enjoying that nice Fresh Air, Hot Air or Whatever the day brings:umbrella::sun_with_face:?:rainbow: Ahhhh..Can’t wait when both sides get a LOAD OF EACH OTHER:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
I think she was carrying “Bonobo Lucy Grows Up”.
Oh I soooo hope Dora will venture out, even if against the wishes of Mave.
And who knows? Maybe she would be more apt to venture out there if the others were out on Young’s Hill. Out of curiosity. hmmm
So Dora HAS been out, JB?
Once Dora is confortable out there, we know who is sure to follow!
Maybe when both groups are face to face….. the others will come out to see what all the Ruckus is all about…watching ALL THE COMMOTION from a Metal Chute…. Just Doesn’t Cut It!
Yes, she went out on the first day. Both she and Mave have been hanging out near the end of the chute lately, and Mave seems less anxious about Dora’s interest in the outdoors, so we are hopeful that they’ll both head outside soon.
That’s good news, JB, thanks!
(the link to today’s celebration blogpost just says “no content”. We will NOT be deprived of seeing Neggievwith her cake! :wink:)
It will be wonderful to see the two groups outside checking out one another. Let’s get ready to rumble!! No throwdowns. Hooting only, please. Maybe Cy is like me. it’s hard to put down a magazine if I only have one more page to read.
LETS RUMBLE
Awesome views from the bray-wish I could be there as I could almost smell the lovely fresh air and the pines! The chimps look so contented and stimulated by all around them and Lucky was determined to grab some of those nuts! Thanks for sharing and making this lady in Austalia feel a bit closer to you all.
JB, what a wonderful blog. we love reading about the WW9 and their different personalities and we are so happy that Ryan’s Lookout is a hit. love the addition of the logs and trees!
Tomorrow is a BIG DAY-15 years since the arrival of the 7 and Negra’s 50th! my how time flies and look at what kove and dignity produces—happy confident chimps. you and Diana and hundreds of staff and volunteers have created an amazing sanctuary for them. we applaud you! K and D
Thank you, Karen and Don!
What impressive skills they have for getting what they want while avoiding what they fear. Good for them! I hope they all push their limits by the end of summer, and will look forward to a video with sound when they’re able to see one another. No rumble, please, but noise and excitement will be wonderful!
:rofl:Read Gaynells comments ….that’s exactly what it is!
I might have to keep the volume on low when the two groups are outside at the same time … lots of loud hooting and hollering I suspect. J.B., the pictures are beautiful, especially the 3rd one from the last.
If you dropped me in a house in the middle of a very foreign place, and then, one day asked me to go out and explore…..I’m not sure what I would do! I marvel at Rayne and the way she dives right in and from this perspective, appears casual and comfortable exploring the great outdoors. I am happy to see Terry exploring with her and Gordo slowly pushing his bravery boundaries!
I remember Dora heading out early on but can’t recall how far she made it. Sweet girl, maybe for something super high value she would break away from Mave and Honey B and tippy toe out again. I keep putting myself in Mave and Honey B’s place and I am comforted that they have each other. Not everyone can brave challenges, even when there’s a little voice inside you nudging you on.
I remember how Annie used to sit alone, inside (anxiously perhaps), waiting for Missy to return from her adventures on Young’s Hill. I always thought that Missy shared her adventures with her BFF (via grooming and scents of the earth in her hair) and that was enough and a comfort for Annie. The next best thing to being there! And then the day came when that wasn’t enough…..and Annie found it in herself to go out. And then go out further. And further. And then Annie went out and stayed out all by herself! I can still feel how happy I was the day she did that. Courage was in her all the time. She just had to find it. And trust in it. I hope Dora, Mave, and Honey B find it too. All in their own time.
Often the girls need to show the boys how its done!! Lucky cracks me up! Silly, clever girl! I love the adventurous and independent person Rayne is!! Proud of Gordo to step a little out of his comfort zone!! Im sure given enough time they will embrace the Bray as Rayne has been doing!
Are there any trees on the Bray at all? I don’t think I’ve seen any….just lots of lovely climbing structures.
my guess is that there are new trees there, planted where previously they had land clear in case of wildfires
Hi Carol – I take it you are referring to mature trees, like the tall pines that are on Young’s Hill? If that’s the case then no, there’s aren’t any. The terrain was too steep above the Bray side to try to incorporate any of the existing trees. But we’ve planted about thirty 10-20′ trees so far, as seen in the photos above, with more to come.