KOMO News posted some of the raw footage of the chimps going onto the hill!! We can’t wait to see the edited story tonight at 11pm and tomorrow at 6pm. In the meantime – watch this: http://www.komonews.com/home/video/130471343.html
Go Annie!
Annie followed Missy right out this morning and made it to a couple of the climbing structures.
and Missy showed Annie the greatness of the hammock
Annie didn’t quite make it over to the gate to get breakfast served outside before she decided to go back in, but we had breakfast for her there too.
Watch Seattle’s KOMO 4 Sunday
The national broadcast of the chimps’ going onto the hill is still up in the air, but I did receive confirmation from Eric Johnson of KOMO 4 that they will air the story Sunday night at 11:00pm and it will re-air Monday at 6pm. So, for those in the Seattle area, set your DVRs and come to the blog after you watch it to tell us your impressions.
It was a pretty emotional day and we were lucky that the film crews were gracious, understanding and also really excited to witness the chimpanzees taking their first steps onto Young’s Hill.
Here’s a photo of 2/3 of the Young’s Hill clique. Maybe tomorrow someone else will join Burrito, Missy and Jamie in exploring the wide-open part of their home.
Jamie on the Rock
No word yet on an air date for the national news piece. It could be a little while. We will definitely let everyone know when we hear!
I was just looking through some photos from yesterday. After lunch Jamie spent some time on the Treat Rock and I snapped a couple of photos of her investigating.
Even though I took the photo and saw this in person, it’s still a little unreal that the chimpanzees are now on Young’s Hill. They look so small out there, and so natural. I can’t wait to see what they do today!
Out and About
I know you all are waiting and want an update with video. We had media crews out today and we are going to wait until they air their story before sharing videos, so we’re not scooping them. I’ll let you know as soon as I do when that might be. It won’t be before late tomorrow at the earliest. I’m sure you will agree it’s worth the wait in order to see the chimps on national television.
All of the chimps ventured out. Foxie walked the entire perimeter of the enclosure, then went inside. Jamie explored all of the climbing structures, Burrito seems quite comfortable out there, Jody went out but is a little hesitant, Missy ran through her tunnel a few times and has been carrying a frozen watermelon in and out, Negra was really happy about the lettuce and just chowed down, Annie went in the hammock and has probably spent the most time of anyone out there.
So, here are a couple of photos. More written updates to come!
Negra enjoying her lettuce
Annie & Missy – friends on Young’s Hill
Today is the day
I can’t believe today is the day we get to see our chimpanzee friends step on grass for the first time.
Yesterday I looked at the 5′ x 3′ cage we have on the property. They lived in cages that size for decades. It’s impossible to put into words the sadness that small cage evokes. Then I looked at the 2 acre hill.
It might be a little scary for them at first, but the chimps are definitely ready for us to open the doors to the next chapter in their lives and put their pasts further behind them. We plan to set up a large lunch forage for them and open the doors around 11:00 (pacific time).
Its been heartwarming to see all of the posts that people have been sharing about the news on Facebook. It’s a privilege to be part of such a great community of people who care about chimpanzees and are as excited as we are to see the Cle Elum Seven step onto that hill.
A lot of people have been sharing the Young’s Hill video that Jonathan Houser made just a year ago when we were raising funds for the hill at our 2010 auction. I’ve included it below.
Young’s Hill – The Dream from Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest on Vimeo.
Thank you all.
Did you hear the NEWS??
Tomorrow is the big day! We are all freaking out (in a good way). The chimps are ready, we’re ready and we know you are ready to see them out on the hill.
See the announcement about the big day.
Today, the final touches were put on the hill, including the concrete on what we are now calling the Treat Rock, which mimics a termite mound where the chimps can “fish” for treats we place in pipes mounted in the rock.
