Next up for our Valentines series is our newest and youngest resident, George! George’s story starts in California at Steve Martin’s Working Wildlife. When he was an infant he was used for traveling photo ops and then shipped to Germany as one of over a dozen chimpanzees over the years used in a German TV show called Unser Charly. With this kind of start to life it’s hard to guess how well he would adapt to sanctuary life here at CSNW.
George has grown so much since he came to reside here last spring, when he arrived at CSNW from a roadside zoo in Oregon. He’d spend his last years there alone – until everything changed. Since joining us, George has shown a kind of courage that you don’t see every day. He took the Bray by himself with just his caregivers to offer support from the other side of the fences.
In the past I’ve worked with chimps who were deprived of novel experiences during their lives before sanctuary, things like different foods and living environments and sometimes when that happens in their earlier years some of them don’t tend to be as open or curious about things, occasionally even developing a phobia like aversion to things like new foods, grass or open top enclosures. But not George! Since arriving he approached everything with curiosity and bravery.
George enthusiastically examining and then consuming a rose from my garden:
He’s always curious what new enriching food items we make him for celebrations:
George obviously won over the humans of CSNW immediately upon arrival.
Volunteer Patti & George gazing at each other through the window:
Caregiver Sabrina & George during one of his first outings on the Bray:
Volunteer Lizz & George having an early morning chat:
At first when George came we weren’t really sure if he knew how to make a nest to sleep in since he didn’t seem to do so at first but before too long he became a master nest builder, complete with a blankie over him for added warmth.
He started by using mostly paper but graduated to blankets over time:
And before long he started incorporating enrichment items like boxes and toys into his nests:
A very creative enrichment nest made of tickets and boxes:
George’s introductions to the Lucky 6 was just as impressive. At first, George seemed a bit lost when it came to socializing with the females like Rayne and Lucky. But it didn’t take long for him to figure things out. Watching him learn, adapt, and win everyone over has been a highlight of our year.
Honestly, when July rolled around and we started introducing George to the Lucky 6, every caregiver here had a few butterflies. Luckily, Cy, the steady leader of the group, stepped up as George’s mentor—and that bond is still going strong today. But some best moments recently have come from the unexpected friendships. Seeing Terry and George turn a morning game of chase into a daily ritual or watching Rayne stand up for George during a misunderstanding—he’s well on his way to being a part of the family we call the Lucky 7.
Cy & George
Rayne, Cy & George:
We’ve been thrilled to see him initiate play sessions with Gordo, who was a bit of a loner, and look forward to his continued expanding friendships.
Gordo grooming George:
George has just started his sanctuary life and hopefully he will be with us for a long, long time and so far George doesn’t have any Chimpanzee Pals so if you’d like to become his pal now is a great time!
how do i become George’s pal? and what is involved in this paldom?
Click the red hyperlink in the blog; it will take you there. You donate monthly or annually, give your information, and you’ve got it.
George doesn’t have any Chimpanzee Pals (yet)?! Oh, what are you waiting for, readers of the CSNW blog? George is adorable! In less than a year since his rescue it has been heartening to watch him thrive in such a great environment as the Sanctuary, in the Cascade foothills alongside his new chimpanzee friends and neighbors. With all of those raffle tickets laying about his nest, you could be the lucky winner of a great friendship with George Chimpanzee.
George is indeed very special. The other chimps (and caregivers) at CSNW are very lucky to have him living here!
Sabrina, your roses are absolutely beautiful!
I agree!
We saw George at the roadside zoo in Oregon, it was so sad…
So glad you came along for him, what a rich, beautiful life he is having now, so thankful for you CSN!
Can’t get enough of George.
Was getting ready to say that, though it may not be great to have a favorite, George immediately got my heart. And then, seeing he has no sponsors, there was no question what to do. I am now his sponsor, and if I’m his first, I’m very proud and happy.
I did the same. I couldn’t believe that he hadn’t been sponsored, especially with so much local support.
He didn’t have a page until now, there a wasn’t a link.
George is a golden boy. For all that he’s been through in his life before CSNW, he has shown his true spirit while becoming his real self, and taking on a new family. I’m amazed at his resilience! Love that guy!
Who DOESN’T love Georgie!? What’s not to love!?
This is so wonderful that George has assimilated so easily into a real sanctuary life with his new chimpanzee family. I’m curious though..what was the decision to have him go with Cy’s group and not Jamie’s group? Too many bosses over there? 🙂
I think they said it was due to age and persobality. He’s quite a bit younger than anyone in Jamie’s group and introduction with them has gone poorly in the past
Thank you for this post, Sabrina, and I so hope that George soon has a few new human “pals”( I am chimpanzee Annie’s “pal”). It’s a great idea and a great way to connect with the sanctuary residents.George has gained such confidence since joining you and it is heart warming to see that despite his appalling past he is now living the life he always deserved. Bless you, George! ?:sparkling_heart:
George has come so far and he hasn’t even been at CSNW for a year! Those pictures of him in his nests are just the cutest thing out there. He’s just too precious for words1!
George’s progress is an excellent example of the quality, knowledge and love of this wonderful sanctuary!!
CSNW is the best.
I fell in love with little George at first sight. And I think he has hundreds of Pals, they just haven’t officially signed up yet to sponsor him. Now that he has his own landing page under the link “Meet Our Chimpanzee”… Watch out George! There might be a Pal sign-up frenzy. It’s only been a short time since this post went live and already he has 5 Pals!! We love you, dear George.