The past couple of days you have learned about the meeting between Terry and George during the process of integrating George in to a social group. You’ve probably seen the videos of Terry grooming George and playing with him. Well, today is just a general Terry Appreciation Post. (*whispers* ok, secretly it’s because I’ve had these photos for a couple days and was just waiting for my turn on the blog to share them plus it’s another staff meeting day and time is limited. But that shouldn’t take away from the fact Terry is just an incredible being.)
For those new to our sanctuary, Terry arrived at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in the summer of 2021. Before his arrival in the Pacific Northwest, Terry was living at the Wildlife Waystation in Southern California, a facility that housed rescued exotic animals before closing. He was sent to the Waystation in his adolescence from the Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP).
From what we can piece together through records and former caregiver stories, Terry did live with Willy B, Honey B, and Dora in the early years at the Waystation. From what we can tell, another group was being put together so Terry and Dora joined Cy, Rayne, Lucky, and Gordo, whom came different groupings themselves. We are uncertain of the circumstances surrounding the decision, but regardless of why, these six would remain with each other to this day.
When the Lucky Six arrived, I had no idea what to expect from Terry. Here was this big, intimidating male who I knew nothing about. I was, in all honesty, terrified of him and Gordo in particular because they were the two I knew the least about from what we were hearing about the group at the time. Luckily, Terry almost immediately showed his true self once he was unloaded from the truck and given his new home.
Terry may look like a big, terrifying male, but underneath all that fluff of hair is the kindest, softest hearts you could ever meet. Hopefully you can see why Terry is such a great person to be one of the first who got to meet George. It is Terry’s kind heart and his lust for fun that makes him a character to instantly fall in love with. If you would like to help support Terry’s care, please consider adopting him in our Chimpanzee Pal program!
oh, I’m glad you’re highlighting Teeny Tiny Terry (not!) today. i’m really interested in getting to know him better and better. It was really fun to see him playing with George. He’s definitely a sweetie. don’t you just laugh at yourself now for being intimidated by his size? Never judge a book by its cover!
All the time, Paulette! I laugh at myself all the time when I think of back then.
Terry’s bio should read like Foxie’s; “BFF: Everybody!”
Chad, that light is hitting his nose like it hits the idol in the opening of Raiders of the Lost Ark:slight_smile:
Thank you, Linda! I’ve been desperately searching for what that photo reminded me of and I think you nailed it on the head.
Thanks for the photos, Chad, of the NOT teeny tiny person who is a friend to all. I was confused for a while about the teeny tiny designation for such a big male with a big heart. You guys made an excellent decision to introduce George to Terry and vice versa. Nothing but positivity there.
There was a “Teeny Tiny Terry” poem, I believe Chad wrote it
Hi Gaynell! Teeny Tiny Terry is just a term of endearment caregivers have given Terry because, as you pointed out, he is anything but teeny tiny. It was this term of endearment that inspired the poem Linda referenced.
https://chimpsnw.org/2023/02/teeny-tiny-terry/
Thanks for letting us see teeny tiny Terry through your eyes—in words and photos. The images in the Oakwood and Terry observing visitors are beautiful. The lighting in the greenhouse is heavenly for photos! Love the little hairs on Terry’s ears and his white muttonchops.
When talking about the living situation at WW, you did not mention Mave. When did Maeve enter the group of Willy B and Honey B?
I know Mave was with another chimpanzee named Goliath. They were together since their LEMSIP days, but he passed before Mave and co came here.
Hey Kathleen,
As I wrote in a comment yesterday, I assume that Honey B., Willy B. and Mave are together again, seperated from the Luckey 6. My assumption is, that George’s arrival put a temporary halt on the reintegration
Hi Marianne! That is correct. Willy B, Honey B, and Mave are a separate grouping as of right now though they do receive visits from others such as Dora.
Oh I’m so glad to hear that Chad, I was wondering how Mave would survive without her Dora…
Hi Kathleen! As Eli mentioned, Mave was with a chimpanzee named Goliath, whom she had been with ever since their nursery days at LEMSIP. When they arrived at WWS, her grouping was with him and Gordo until Gordo was pulled to form the Lucky Six group. We are not sure of the exact circumstances, but from we can piece together it had been just Mave and Goliath for a little while until Goliath’s passing. After Goliath’s passing, she was introduced to Willy B and Honey B. I just want to stress again, this is what we can kind of piece together through past records and former caregiver hearsay, which can be difficult due to missing information and contradicting accounts. This is why we can say at some point these events happened, but cannot definitively say when, for how long, or why.
Thank you Chad and Eli. I now remember reading about Mave and Goliath. Hard to keep all the details together in my mind. It must be fun digging into past information to piece everyone with their past relationships and histories.
Terry is just the sweetest guy around. The very definition of a gentle giant. His floof, his freckles, his stubby little fingers, his amazing facial expressions… He’s just the cutest!
Hi Eli! I couldn’t agree more!