Last month Anthony wrote this detailed blog about the Saga of Willy B. It was a truly well written tale, packed full of suspense. As many things in real life, Willy B’s story lacked a proper happy ending. Well we don’t always get what we want in the world of chimpanzees, but this week we did get a little taste of that sweet satisfying closure.
Special and ordinary, all at once
Sometimes morning patrols around Young’s Hill are busy! There are wild edible plants that need picking and territories that need to be checked up on. There’s something special about seeing the chimpanzees go on outdoor adventures, both together and apart, each with their own idea of how to spend the morning.
Young’s Hill will be featured on the Virtual Tour of the Chimp House auction item. Don’t forget to register for The Queen’s Brunch . Online auction bidding begins June 1st (this coming MONDAY!!).
Just because
Each day at the sanctuary, staff put out special forages in the courtyard to encourage Willy B’s continued exploration of his outdoor space. We’ve seen his confidence grow significantly as the weeks have rolled by.
Here Willy B stretches away from his “safe space” (the boardwalk) to pick up an orange slice:
You will have to forgive me for the following unfocused photo, but you can see Willy B with all four limbs standing on the grass:
Like so many of us, Willy B is motivated by food to initiate his trip into the great outdoors.
But we are starting to see an exciting shift in him. After he makes his first move outside, he seems to be spending more time doing other non-food related activities. Like just hanging out and taking in the view:
And even grooming himself:
Over time we plan to put out less food for Willy B in hopes that he wants to continue his outdoor adventures, just because he can.
Chimp Profiles: Foxie!
Age: 43
Nickname(s): Tiny, Fox, Fox-alicious
Favorite foods: Fruit smoothie/all things sweet, avocados
Favorite activity: “Toss the troll” with her caregivers
Important skills: Keeping the peace in the group
One thing she would take with her to a deserted island: her plastic tote filled with dolls
He did it!!!
Today was the day, we could all feel it this morning. Yesterday was rainy and blustery, but today… Today we have beautiful weather. We made careful preparations this morning, getting things set up just right for the big moment.
Ladies and gentlemen….I present to you..the sanctuary’s “moon shot.”
Willy B climbed on the platform in the courtyard!!!
But he wasn’t finished, there…
Not only did he climb, he climbed all the way to the TOP!
We’ve got some video footage for you tomorrow, but for now, let’s just drink this special moment in. Together!
The chimps celebrate Love a Chimpanzee Day!
After yesterday’s light rainfall, Central Washington is positively bursting with green today! The majority of the deciduous trees seemed to unfurl their leaves overnight and I even got a whiff of cherry blossoms as I pulled into the parking lot this morning. This fresh wave of spring and a party for the chimps was the absolute best way to celebrate Love a Chimpanzee Day!
Over in the Phase 1 part of the building, Willy B, Mave and Honey B were treated to a special “Love a Chimpanzee” lunch that featured fresh coconut, an all time favorite! Honey B was seen cleverly stomping on her coconut chunk to get it to loosen up. For the 7 chimps on the other side of the building, watermelon bowls were a big hit on Young’s Hill and the most fun part of the day to photograph.
Foxie:
Foxie and Negra:
Negra:
Jamie:
Annie and Jamie:
Jody:
Jody and Burrito:
Missy (not pictured) was zooming around the greenhouse collecting whole tomatoes as fast as she possibly could. Happy Love a Chimpanzee Day!
Familiar faces, familiar activities
Have you watched John Krasinski’s Some Good News show yet? It’s one of my favorite things to have emerged in this stressful time we live in right now. He highlights all the good things that are still happening around the world right now and some of the people that are doing them. I highly recommend it to help keep your spirits up! While our version of “some good news” isn’t necessarily that things have changed around here, but more so that the sanctuary remains intact, just as it should be.
Here are some things that haven’t changed:
Jody continues to harvest plants growing on Young’s Hill. Here she is with a sample of newly planted pine tree:
And she continues to know the best way to relax around here:
Jamie is still cooler than I’ll ever be:
And her passion for all things boots burns strong. Here she is with the makings of her afternoon nest:
Burrito will always be playful AND handsome:
Other good news items for the day (sadly not pictured):
Honey B vigorously testing out a new bench Anthony built for the chute, Willy B gazing at newly taken photos, Mave drinking cupfuls of water from an enrichment pool, Negra head nodding from underneath a mountain of blankets, Foxie strolling leisurely on Young’s Hill with her friends and Missy/Annie playing chase.
One thing that has notably changed at the sanctuary, we’ve had to temporarily lay off the vast majority of our volunteers and interns. Since we all miss each other, we put together a Zoom online meetup last night so we could all catch up with each other:
What’s your good news for the day?
