These girls run the Sanctuary! Not only do they out number the fellas, but they often are more strong willed. The ladies may be submissive to Willy B, but they are not afraid to take charge!
Having a Ball!
While we are in the process of figuring out our next steps for introductions. It is nice to see that some things never change! Missy and Annie were in the phase 1 front rooms having a ball. These ladies were: play kicking, biting, and smacking each other around. At one point Annie is play biting Missy’s swelling and Missy can’t move! They were playing so rough, but they were also having a lot of fun and letting loose. These are also the moments we look forward to seeing in the future with Honey B, Mave, and Willy B. It may not happen right away as we may know now, but moments like this are the reason we are doing this. More social opportunities, more choices, and more growth.
I came across this photo of Missy from months ago and thought I would share!
Mave
“Mave” comes from an old Irish name Madb, meaning “the cause of great joy” or “she who intoxicates”. I mean, that is pretty spot on, am I right?
A New Structure!
A new structure was built today! We had a wonderful group, Thrivent Financial, come out and build this two-story deck! The chimps anxiously waited to see how it would turn out.
These awesome volunteers worked so hard throughout the entire day:
Before it was finished:
After:
We are so excited for this structure. I can imagine Negra lounging in the shade while warm summer air breezes by her or Foxie playing with her dolls at the top! I can also envision Mave, Willy B, & Honey B concurring their fears and climbing up this sturdy structure!
Jamie, Jody, Foxie, Missy, & Annie were able to go out and explore on the new play structure. Of course, a new structure means someone has to inspect it, which is what Jamie and the rest of the girls did!
After inspection, there were patrols to do:
And than back on the the new play structure. The girls seem to be in approval of it!
Even Foxie who can be suspicious of new things, was hanging out!
We just want to give Thrivent Financial a big thank you for building this amazing structure!
Windy!
It is winnnndy! The chimps had a very leisure day playing, napping, and watching J.B. and a few volunteers start building a new structure out on Young’s Hill! They are just getting a section of the project done today and than another group of volunteers will come tomorrow to help us build the rest of the structure. Normally I would expect the chimps, especially Jamie, to be out in the chute inspecting everything that was going on. However, it was so windy no one wanted to be outside really. Jamie did watch from the windows and the comfort of her own nest.
Jamie watching from the mezzanine:
Jody cozy in a nest:
Missy curled up:
The crew working hard and trying not to get blown away:
Not Today, but Maybe Tomorrow
Today we gave Mave, Honey B, Willy B, and Negra access to Young’s Hill. I am not sure we have talked about this much. Though this is not the first time we have given them access to Young’s Hill, a 2 acre outdoor space. I feel I should also mention that as far as we know the three have not had an outdoor space like this in almost 30 years or maybe ever. So you can only imagine how exciting, but also terrifying and scary this space must be for them. The Hill is a large outdoor area with unfamiliar fencing, ground, and also not knowing if anyone else is out there. The other chimps obviously haven’t been on the other side when they have access to the Hill, but the unknown can be intimidating! Right now Burrito is still alone recovering and the girl gang was inside phase 1 so they wouldn’t be too much of a distraction to the nervous 3 and Negra just napped the whole time.
Our first attempt was almost a month ago, before introductions had started. It did not go the way we had planned or the way I am sure the 3 chimps wanted it to go. We tried to show the chimps not to touch the electric fence. However, the electric fence was foreign and all they have ever really known is that they can hold onto caging. But the “caging” was shocking them and it was suppose to be safe. So there was screaming and they were nervous to say the least. Even with preparation and showing them not to touch, they still touched it, a lot. You might be wondering how we demonstrated this to them. There are many different methods. We pretended to touch the fence and get shocked. We made chimp vocalizations and screamed. J.B. grounded himself and made the fence spark (safely) and screamed as well. When the seven went out for the first time they had a mock test fence to touch so the chimps understood it would shock and J.B. also touched the fence to give them the real effect. J.B. did not want to touch the fence again (weird) and we didn’t feel that the mock test helped the seven not touch the fence, because they also got shocked the first time or two as well. An enclosure is all these three have known and mesh caging is what they are used to grabbing. Even the ground can be uncomfortable, for example, Willy B doesn’t like walking across the wood chips and tries to avoid them. This probably has a lot to do with living on concrete floors for most of his life.
There is a lot of adjustment for Honey B, Mave, and Willy B. We have continued to offer them the Hill when possible. However, they are scared. Honey B did go out again, but curiosity got the best of her and she touched the fence again. Though no one went out today, we will keep trying and hopefully one day they will feel comfortable enough to go out and explore, and not touch the fence as well!
Mave relaxing in the green house:
Honey B a little out of focus, enjoying some sun in the green house:
This photo shows a little bit of how Willy doesn’t like walking on the wood chips. He uses only one foot and tries to get across as fast a possible. Or tries to walk on chairs and enrichment to get on to the platform. This is actually every common for chimps in captivity that are adjusting to new environments. The unknown is scary until they can get use to it.
Negra in a cozy nest. Negra also spent some time grooming with Mave and play wrestling with Honey B.
Later in the afternoon the “Girl Gang” received access to the Hill. The girls and cattle went on a patrol together:
Girl Gang
As some of you might know Jody, Jamie, Missy, Foxie, and Annie are in phase 1 together. We recently have been calling them the “Girl Gang” because, well, that is what they are. They are a bunch of hoodlums up to no good. Okay, well that might not be true, but they are a bunch of tough chicks ready to take on whatever comes next! What is next you might ask? Well, that plan is still being worked on, in the meantime enjoy some photos of these independent women!
The girl gang was enjoying some time outside on Young’s Hill. But they were also on a mission. They were doing patrols, checking the raceway, and surveying the land. After everything looked clear they sat in the Chute looking eagerly at Negra, Mave, Willy B, & Honey B.
Jody:
Jody inspecting door Y’s lock:
Missy sprinting around the Hill:
Fierce Foxie:
Annie:
Annie also inspecting door Y with Jody:
Jamie starting one of many patrols:
After their Hill adventures everyone enjoyed a bit of time inside.
Foxie:
Annie:
Missy:
Jody:
Jamie sizing the scrubbing brush:
