Katelyn

May is a tough one to see leave. The neon spring grass of Young’s Hill and the Bray, chimpanzees and humans enjoying the ease of still respectful temperatures, fields and canyons covered in purple and yellow flowers, forests dense with layers upon layers of green, blooming with birdsong. But June blooms with an abundance all it’s own. An honoring of coming home and the celebration of precious lives lived through all the many seasons *you* make possible.

Pace yourselves! What will really be a month-long celebration begins on June 6th when Dora turns 35! There are countless things to love about Dora. First of all, just look at her! Also, that she is half of the endearing pair, “Mora” (Mave being the other half of endearment). I love that she “bobbles” her head in greeting to you, even through two windows and across two rooms. I love that when you ask her if she wants a certain food item and she does NOT she will emphatically shake her head “no”. I love that the rims of her smoothie cups all have Dora-shaped teeth marks. Dora has a love/hate relationship with smoothie service at times and whether she wants you to let go of the cup, or she’s annoyed and told you in no uncertain terms she’s not interested in that dang smoothie, she often bites the cup while staring at you as you serve it to her. I refer to these moments as the Spirit of the Tiger being in her. She’s wee, but fierce. Like someone else I know (Foxie!). I think I took a photo of some of her cups lined up because they secretly delight me….let me see if I can find it…

“Mora”:

Ah yes… 🙂

Then on June 11th Honey B turns 35! Honey B’s glorious and glittering mind is, well, mind-blowing. Her mischief making, while keeping everyone on their toes, delights and amazes us all. She’s a dedicated brawler with zero fear and though we really wish she weren’t for both her and her group’s sake, it’s one part of the whole Honey B we adore. Honestly, if she were your ride or die, you’d be set. Despite her penchant for rumbling, she’s also one of the silliest and most playful in her group. It’s an absolute delight to watch her growing relationships and her newly expanded courage to venture onto the Bray. While her first ventures outside were also brawl-inspired (chasing the guys in a fury), she can more often be seen just enjoying her time out there. We could not be prouder of her and how well she’s navigated all the changes in her life these last few years.

She is unique in all ways Honey B. Something that always makes me smile is how she will offer to share her food with us. This is an extremely un-chimpanzee thing to do. But with eyes full of sincerity, she’ll hand you a bean or a carrot and wait for you to “take a bite.” Just the other day she pushed out a page from one of her prized peanut butter magazines for me to take. When I realized the high value item it was I politely declined and offered it back to her, but she refused to take it and motioned for me to lick it. Then she proceeded to stare at me until my pretending to put it through my mask satisfied her, or entirely more likely, gave up in pity for me. Honestly, I love everything about her.

And if you’ve followed us for awhile, you know June 13th is a biggie. It’s the anniversary of Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra’s arrival to the sanctuary after spending over 30 years of their lives in biomedical research. This year will be sixteen years of life in sanctuary!! And sixteen chimpanzees who have called the sanctuary home.

And our Sweet Sixteen Art Auction will officially kick off that week, from June 10th – June 16th. Be sure to register now so you can keep an eye on all the beautiful art being added for this special online event!

Seven chimpanzees on Young’s Hill! Even Negra. 🙂

I like to think beloved Jody is still out there strolling with her family (Jamie, Foxie, Burrito, Annie and Jody):

June 13th also marks two more birthdays!

Negra turns 51! June 13th is Negra’s honorary birthday, given to her in honor of her start of a new life coming home to the sanctuary. J.B. and Diana have both shared that when they first met Negra they hoped she would be able to enjoy at least a couple years in sanctuary. Sixteen years later Negra continues to surprise and amaze us with new levels of comfort and courage. Just when you think you can confidently say what she will or won’t do, we find her at the top of the hill enjoying spring grass, or taking in the view from one of her structures, or showing up at breakfast with a troll doll in hand, or playing hand tickle with us and laughing. She does things in her own time and choosing. Exactly as she should. I think I love this most about her. She follows her heart and won’t be swayed. And she never stops growing. Despite all that has been stolen from her, all that she’s endured, as soon as she was provided the time, space and dignity to be herself, she set about doing just that.

As you are probably well aware, comfort is a priority for Negra. And if you, too, relish a cozy bed, hers will give you nest envy. I particularly love her princess in a pea style nests that rise up in a cloud half way around her, and even more so when she tucks things like coconut pieces and Hawaiian rolls underneath for snacks. Brilliant Neggie. What a privilege to witness how she chooses to live her life now.

And Terry turns 34! The sweetest of gentle giants! Terry is one of those people who lifts your heart because he’s always happy to see you and wants to greet you straight away. He loves to sit with his humans and groom us. Terry’s hands and fingers are immense and yet he is the gentlest soul, grooming us with such care, as if we might shatter into pieces at any moment. When he wants to reposition our hand for a better view (*of course we always practice safe interactions to make sure the chimpanzees cannot grab any part of us and we never extend our fingers or pass through the caging) he will very slowly and very gently move your hand with the tip of his finger. I’ve seen this chimpanzee man literally bow the steel caging during displays and yet he is so kind. I’m in awe of him and his gracious heart. I love him so much.

On June 20th we welcome the summer solstice! At it’s best, it’s a time of easeful days and nights when the chimpanzees enjoy roaming outside, countless forages in their outdoor habitats and hot days spent relaxing in their open air greenhouses. It’s the time of year where we never know if Jamie will choose to stay out light for evenings walks, or if you might find Annie enjoying the summer night from her nest in the greenhouse as she gazes out over hill, or sweet Mave sound asleep in the outdoor chute as frog chorus fills the night air. And what’s going to happen this year?!

And Annie’s sweet son, Virgil, turns 35! Virgil is thriving at his sanctuary home, Save the Chimps and it thrills us to know he’s safe and loved by his chimpanzee and human family. We are so grateful to have this to celebrate. (Photo courtesy of Save the Chimps):

His sweet mama, Annie:

And our bovine family! If all continues as planned with Meredith’s healing process (if you missed it, Dr. Erin wrote a wonderful update on the bovine ladies here), her and her mama, Honey, and auntie, Betsy, will be making their way toward their summer pasture soon. Nutmeg’s absence is of course palpable and we hope days of sunshine and endless grassy pastures will hold his family and their hearts.

Meredith, Honey and Nutmeg a few summers ago:

Beautiful Betsy:

And bookending this glorious month of abundant celebration is June 26th, the third anniversary of the arrival of Cy, Dora, Gordo, Lucky, Rayne and Terry! Three years! I had to double check that. Considering how much has happened in their lives in this time it doesn’t seem possible that it’s only been three years. And every bit of that is thanks to YOU!

Dora nesting, Gordo, Lucky and Terry grooming and Rayne below:

Lucky, Rayne and Cy on the Bray:

Cy, taking a well-deserved break from wrangling his family:

And please know we are always celebrating you as well! Not one single thing any of the chimpanzees or bovines have experienced within the last sixteen years would have happened without you. Please, really take a moment and think about that. Think about what their lives have been in the past and what their lives are now. YOU made that possible.  No words could fully express our gratitude to you.

And if you have a birthday this month, Happy Birthday from us all! Just celebrate all month long with us, the chimpanzees, and the bovine ladies!