This morning, George got to see a little bit more of the sanctuary.
As an accompaniment today’s video, I thought it might be helpful to detail the process of accepting a new chimpanzee, particularly for those of you who are just now tuning in to our blog because of George. We’re so heartened to see the concern that you all have for George’s well being and we know that you have questions about what lies ahead.
There are three main things that we’ll be focusing on in the coming weeks and months: Ensuring George’s health and that of the chimpanzees already at the sanctuary, allowing him to become familiar with his new home, and eventually integrating him into a social group.
George received a preliminary medical exam on the day he was transferred to the sanctuary and he will receive a second, more thorough exam this week. These exams will help us ensure that he is in good health and will give us a baseline for future comparisons as he ages. The sanctuary’s veterinarian, Dr. Erin, will lead the exam but she will be joined by other veterinarians and specialists so that we can do the most thorough evaluation possible, including an echocardiogram to screen for heart disease. George is currently in quarantine, which is designed to limit the possibility that he could pass along an infectious illness to the sanctuary’s other residents. The length of the quarantine period is based on both the incubation periods for the illnesses we are concerned about and the results of the two exams, but at a minimum it will last several weeks.
As the quarantine process allows, we’ll also be gradually giving George time to explore to the different enclosures and habitats here at the sanctuary. The sanctuary consists of two main wings, one that houses the very first group to arrive at the sanctuary in 2008 and a new wing that currently houses two different groups that were rescued in 2019 and 2021. Each wing has smaller rooms for medical recovery, quarantine, and social introductions, one or two larger, two-story indoor playrooms, one or two two-story greenhouse enclosures, and a multi-acre outdoor habitat. We’ve found that chimpanzees who have lived on concrete floors for much of their lives can have difficulty adjusting to natural substrates, such as the bark mulch in the greenhouse enclosures and the grass and dirt in the outdoor habitats. This adjustment period can take anywhere from several weeks to several years; a few of the chimpanzees we took in in 2019 still prefer to avoid natural surfaces whenever possible. It’s possible that George will need time to adjust as well. Chimpanzees can become institutionalized in other ways, too—notably, chimps who have lived in smaller enclosures can be somewhat apprehensive about open spaces. The two-acre habitat that George will have access to is an open-top enclosure with expansive views of the surrounding mountains so it may require some time before he becomes comfortable. We’re hopeful that George will adapt quickly but he will be in charge.
And finally, a word on integration. It’s a difficult process and there’s never a guarantee that it will work out. Because we know little about George other than the fact that he has lived alone or in pairs for his adult life, we will move forward cautiously. When it’s time, we’ll have him meet some other chimps one-on-one at the mesh. This will be our first chance to assess whether or not he exhibits appropriate chimpanzee behaviors, to gauge his confidence (surprisingly, underconfidence can be worse than overconfidence during introductions), and to determine how his potential new group mates react to him. This process moves along in baby steps, with successful meetings at the mesh (“howdies”, as the are called in zoo and sanctuary parlance) followed by brief one-on-ones together in the same enclosure. Once he has had multiple successful meetings with each member of his potential new group, the process can gradually build until he is integrated in the group as a whole. This can take months. I want to be very upfront here and share that some amount of fighting is to be expected. The responsibility of our staff is to try to foresee and limit the worst aggression while allowing the chimps to work out their social order as chimps do. If George isn’t compatible with the first group we try him with, we will have other options and will ensure that he finds a group of his own. Because he really deserves to be with other chimpanzees.
I’ll leave you with a few photos of today’s lunch forage on Young’s Hill.
Foxie, Annie, Missy, and Burrito:
Burrito:
Annie:
Missy:
Foxie:
Thanks, JB!
He certainly has no trouble expressing himself!
Is he a bit smaller than Cy and Willy B?
Every time you guys announce a chance first visit to a platform or to the chute via radio, I feel like I’m listening to the first moonwalk! It feels just as momentous!
Yes, he’s fairly tall but slender. Very bonobo-like. We won’t know what he weighs until his upcoming exam.
WOW! that was exciting! Yeah, I don’t think George is gonna be the timid type LOL. Gosh, it was absolutely wonderful to see him out and about. A little sad to see his fear face, but that’s normal. He adjusted pretty darn quickly, right?! Right out onto the crossover! Wow.
The pictures of the girls and Bubba in that beautiful green grass are just gorgeous. thank you.
Thank you for everything you are doing for George. He is in the perfect place. with the best staff. looking forward to George adventures
Thank you for the great information, as always, J.B. You answered most of my questions and showed a number of interesting responses by George. I didn’t remember it taking so long for other integrations, though I do recall one that didn’t go well. Did they take so much time? I suppose it’s different when a single chimp is coming in to join a group. So glad George is here, and looking forward to daily updates!
I believe the integration of Cy and Willy B’s groups took about six months, though we could have gone faster in that case. We ended the effort to integrate Willy B’s group into Jamie’s after about two months, I believe?
A note to George’s old friends: just so you know, today was pretty amazing. Honey B and Mave took years to go outside. they barely even went in the chute. They didn’t go outside until this year, and that was only because there was a big conflict going on and everybody ran outside. Willy B would venture out only several yards for a couple years. it was only this year when he joined the larger group that, to keep up with the other large males, he began going out onto what we call the Bray. That’s why you saw the blog the other day where the team was all excited that Willy B went all the way to the top of the Bray. So for George to go directly out into the chute today was pretty impressive!
There are two large open habitats with climbing structures and trees. The first one is called Youngs Hill. The second one is called the Bray.
it brings trears to my eyes to see him happy. we visited the roadside park twice the first time when we saw him he would scream and yell when we tryed to walk away, then we discovered he wanted my husband. We were told that my husband looked like the care giver he had. About a year later (2016?) we went to see him again, he had the same reaction. It really bothered me that George was so upset that my husband couldnt touch him. We stood at his cage for over an hour just talking to him. I felt like it was to hard on him to see us, so we stoped going. I would ask prople we knew how he was doing. l love the fact that I can watch him in a better enviorment. Thank you for all you do for all your babies.
Oh, how sad those visits were for you. It must gladden your hearts to know that George is now safe and loved in a wonderful forever home and will have the life he always deserved. His place in the sun.
My husband and I visited the park three or four years ago. George seemed so unhappy. We stopped to talk to him for quite awhile and again on our way out. He sat in the front corner of his enclosure the entire time. At one point he started spitting and I remember saying to him that I’d be spitting too if I had to live there. I am so happy that they have closed down the park and rehomed the animals. I hope with the love and care of the sanctuary staff that George will live a long and happy life.
After seeing Grorge so miserabke in that small rusty cage in Bandon, this does my heart good! It is great too see him moving freely and vocalizing. Please keep his videos coming. i could watch him all day knowing he’s finally in a good place. And I love the sound if his voice.
I am glad that George was able to go outside to the vaults and look around at his new surroundings. I like to think that his hooting and shrieking at the cattle was just his way of saying hello and that he eschews both meat and dairy. He seemed to exhibit confidence when he replied with some empathetic foot stomps to Willy.
Watching George explore his new kingdom after years of neglect and isolation gladdened my heart. And his reaction to the cattle! I can just imagine the reaction of Burrito and the gang knowing there’s a “new guy in town”.(Willy B sure let his feelings be known).Baby steps indeed and thankyou, JB the info on this step by step introduction/ integration procedure ahead of you. I know we’ll be with you all the way. Thanks also for the photos of the lunch forage enjoyed in the Spring sunshine.Home sweet home.
Go George!!! I love seeing him become more confident and actually exploring (probably for the first time in his life)! Look at him go! I just want to give him the biggest hug and tell him that he’s never going to be alone again. He’s never going to spend another day trapped in a tiny cage with nothing to do and nowhere to go. He’s finally home.
Also, I love seeing pictures of Jamie’s group on the hill. They are totally in their element outside. I know the others will get there someday, too.
Curious George showed little hesitation, even though he showed his “uncertainty” with his grimace, as he braved his new tunnel access. All by himself! No one to turn to or reach out an arm to in the hopes of receiving some reassurance. George appears to be resilient. It was nice seeing his little display at the top of his tower.
Seeing George experiencing a new environment made me recall the other groups experiences—especially The Seven. The way all seven ventured out together, all sharing their feelings together. Reaching out to each for reassurance and comfort. Much like us, braving new situations seems easier with your friends at your side for encouragement. I also recalled brave Willy B. All the times he went outside on his own, braving that prickly grass, and wind, and who knows what! Tippy towing across the boardwalk while he gathered his favorite treats as his incentive to keep on going.
The New. It all looks as if it’s no big deal…..but from my perspective, it’s huge. Tell George that even though he may feel alone, he has THE best caregivers at his side. And I am at his side too, along with all of us blog readers.
I presume that George stayed in the chute, and, did not enter the Bray?
We haven’t given him access to the Bray yet, as he will still need to go through fence training.
Am I right to assume that George has not had the PR Training that the other chimps have had?
He was in entertainment when he was young so we assume he has had a mix of positive reinforcement training and punishment to get him to perform. But it’s safe to assume he hasn’t had any medical training.
Punishment. Thanks for bringing that up as I wasn’t even considering that. but of course he received punishment. It will be interesting to see how he interacts with you when you do begin positive reinforcement training with him. Will this mean extra high value reinforcement treats in mass quantities so he knows, no matter what he does, it’s OK and a good response proving he’s a good boy?
OMG!!!! THIS MAKES MY HEART SSOO HAPPY, I EVEN CRIEDDD…. George loved me, i visited with him when i entered the park he was blowing kisses at me & just starring at me.. Again when i left.. i stood there for awhile when i left, my son was trying to rush our departure.. Well George didnt appreciate that, & absolutely threw poop at him… 🙂 he still has the t shirt.. i am so glad to see him away from the terrible park, & in an environment that he deserves!!! i absolutely look forward to watching him adjust more & more into his whole new healthy world!!!!!
Oh im crying!!!!
Thank you guys ssoo much for saving this babies life….
Oh Brittany. I, WE, are so glad you’re here and hope you and other George lovers hang in with CSNW and watch his blossoming. And get to know our other precious friends/chimps. They and their caregivers and the beautiful property are wonderful. To get to know the other chimps, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest has a YouTube channel. Check it out!
As Paulette, the chimps’ birthday Fairy Godmother says, Brittany, stay tunedcon YT and here! George has so many “firsts” ahead of him (as we have seen, peppers and carrots–not such a fan!). So many great things ahead!
I had the opportunity to watch s big of group integration at the Edinburgh zoo.
Caution is no joke. A chimp went from the outdoor enclosure where I was watching to the indoor. Suddenly there were loud agression screams and a chimp came barreling out followed by claws snd nore scresms.
The staff had signs out explaining the process. I hope it worked.
Highly recommend Edinburgh Zoo. Be prepared to climb.
I had the opportunity to watch s big of group integration at the Edinburgh zoo.
Caution is no joke. A chimp went from the outdoor enclosure where I was watching to the indoor. Suddenly there were loud agression screams and a chimp came barreling out followed by claws snd nore scresms.
The staff had signs out explaining the process. I hope it worked.
Highly recommend Edinburgh Zoo. Be prepared to climb.
Hello,
Thank you so much for what you do! This makes me so happy!:sparkling_heart: I visited George a few times at that horrible place he was at. I’m so happy to see he’s in such a wonderful place now. I was driving by there one day and we were stopped by the police in front. Traffic was stopped because George had escaped and we watched him for about 10 minutes, running back-and-forth across the road with people from the zoo chasing him trying to corral him what spunk he had and he looks so glad to be out of that place and running I was cheering for him to get away but then again if he got away, where would he go? What would happen to him?finally got him back into the zoo and I went back the next day to see him and it just broke my heart to see him sitting in that corner so sad. I sat and talked with him for a while and told him I was sorry that he was in such a horrible place,made me cry as a matter of fact, I’m crying now just thinking about it, but also crying tears of joy because he’s out of there and he’s safe. I went back a couple more times to visit him and other animals. Thert just broke my heart to see how they were in small cages especially the panther the lion it was like walking through a torture chamber. I’m so glad that they’re closed down an the animals have a chance of a better life now thank you, thank you,thank you for rescuing and giving this animals such a beautiful place to live without their lives.
This is so beautiful … You guys are so wonderful … Thank you God for peolpe like those who work to save lives like https://chimpsnw.org/. We love you… Take care of George… my heart goes out to George and is happiness ….. Robert