I recently was graced with a sweet and fun play session with Lucky! See today’s video to join in on the fun. Usually when Lucky wants to spend time together, she invites me to groom, so this was an extra special treat. She loved being tickled with a durable spoon, and we drew a small crowd of chimps as the play session went on who wanted to join in on the fun…Gordo, Cy, and Terry all wanted to be involved at different points (and got some one-on-one time once Lucky and I were done!). I’d like to credit my original chimp friends from Chimp Haven (Agnes and Juan especially) for teaching me all the best chimp tickle spots. Lucky seemed to approve.
I thought I’d also provide a brief George update as I know he has many friends that are wishing him all the best. He is getting more and more comfortable in his new home and exploring his surroundings by the day! We have been thrilled to see him start nesting (to learn more about nesting and see it in action, see previous posts here and here), both with blankets and paper. We learned that he enjoys paper towels and uses them to wipe his hands and face, especially after his morning smoothie to take care of that pesky smoothie mustache.
It’s easy to see how George has captured the hearts of so many, he is such a sweet and gentle individual. We are enjoying getting to know him, and hope you all are enjoying getting to know us and the other 15 chimpanzees, 3 cows, and one very handsome barn cat (aptly named Barn Kitty – pictured below) who also call CSNW home! We are so happy to have you here!
I think George and Lucky would make good friends!
George and Annie! (Who also likes to wash her face and dry off with a towel in the mornings:smile:)
Nice to get to see Barn Kitty!
I’m simply over the moon happy for George. To see his before and after is utterly heartwarming. Thanks for giving him his best life. ?
Oh, such fun with such a durable, versatile spoon. And, thanks for the barn kitty photo.
Wow, that was a great play session! Lucky’s play face and laughter are just the best. No wonder the boys were eager to join in.
It must also be good for George to here happy chimp sounds. I can imagine its been a while since he has heard them and hope it also helps him settle. The noises of our environment are important to our mental health.
I’m thrilled to hear that George is also starting to nest and utilise the enrichment he is provided. He seens like such a sweet soul.
Good to see Barn Kitty enjoying the sun.
It’s an honour to be able to see all the chimps, cows, cats and dogs living there. As well as the amazing staff and volunteers. I’m live in Perth, Western Australia and yet get to witness all these amazing things.
I’ve been through some rough times, but the joy CSNW gives has really helped pull me through.
Oh, what pleasant and fabulous surprise! Not only does Ms. Lucky grace us with an appearance, but Barn Kitty is back on the scene!
And where will George integrate? “The suspense is intensifying,” Willy Wonka sais when Augustus Gloop became stuck in suction tube beside his chocolate river, “I hope it continues.”
It’s nice to see shy and reserved Lucky playing and laughing. Looks like George is as much a gentleman as Gotdo who gently places his empty smoothie glass on the floor.
Yay for play! You really had Lucky going. What fun. I think Lucky is so beautiful, like Annie, both gals are so striking. A shout out to Agnes and (the memory of) Juan for teaching you how much fun you can have with a sturdy spoon! I enjoyed your post about “Remembering Juan”. I hope you saved that precious hair of his behind a glass framed photo of Juan. What a treasure. Like Lucky and Annie, Juan is strikingly beautiful.
Thanks for the George update. Thrilled he’s staring to nest. Hope Barn Kitty is happy with the warmer weather and we’ll be more sightings of him.
Lucky Lucky getting all that one to one attention with that spoon and loads of laughter thrown in! You guys have the best job in the world enriching the lives of the beloved sanctuary residents. I know we all adore the chimpanzees and George has captured our hearts with his sweet ways but we never lose sight of the bovines and magnificent Barn Kitty as they form such an integral part of the sanctuary- that wonderful place they call home.Bless you all:sparkling_heart:.
Lucky is just the cutest! I know she’s more reserved, so it really is special to see her let her guard down and have fun.
Also, I am just thrilled to hear that George is nesting. I know you all said he hadn’t displayed any interest in nesting earlier, so I am just over the moon to hear that he’s finally doing it! Slowly but surely, he’s finally getting to truly be a chimpanzee for the first time in his life! Those photos of him wiping his face and hands are also just the cutest!
What a treat to get to watch Lucky playing. She’s usually so reserved we only see her up high in the background. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her play face.
George is nesting! Oh, this makes me so happy. Can’t wait to see his nesting style. Sneak some pics please!
For the newcomers: the cows are rescues too! and they just happened to mow the grass.
Had to return this morning to rewatch Lucky’s full of smiles and laughter playtime with the tickle spoon. Sigh. Lucky’s joy will be the driving force of my day!
I also started thinking about George and his tidying up with paper towels. He is so endearing but, I assume this might be a behavior he was trained (forced) to do during his “entertainment” TV career. While this saddens me, I am hoping George now uses his paper towels because he wants to. His choice. His pleasure. I hope George knows there are no expectations for him to perform behaviors for anyone any longer. From here on out, George gets to be George in his own uniquely lovable fashion. …..And this just might include a little dab here and there to tidy up after a frothy smoothie!