Some days Willy B experiences what looks like social awkwardness but some days he is on point and is quite the social butterfly. Today he was embracing the charming social butterfly aspect of his personality and we caught it on film for everyone to enjoy!
Rayne: The Coolest Girl at School
The best part of the mornings for me is serving the chimps their meals. I like to hear their excitement when food shows up; they tend to look over the food items that will be offered then they settle into their chosen spot to enjoy their meal. Gordo usually enjoys his meals out in the greenhouse, Lucky will sit up higher on top of the food chute, possibly to avoid the melee that can happen during meal time but for Rayne that spot is usually on a thin piece of firehose that is hung across the room. She has managed to master sitting cross legged on this thin hose for her entire meal and she seems, somehow, to be comfortable and content here. Watching Rayne stroll in casually each morning and take her spot for breakfast is definitely one of my favorite parts of the day.
Clever, Beautiful, Independent: Meredith!
Today is Meredith’s 8th birthday! She is celebrating with her bovine family and some much sought after willow branches.
Mere did have some hurdles to overcome this year. She has slowed down some in her mobility so her year included a few physical exams, some x-rays and a trip to WSU for a consult to make sure that our exams and x-rays we did here on site hadn’t missed anything. It turns out no big issues were found and her x-rays at WSU confirmed what Dr Erin had suspected: all signs point to generalized arthritis. Meredith is being treated with pain killers so she can comfortably enjoy the coming days, weeks and years at home with her family here at CSNW and we are so happy to be celebrating her 8th birthday with her today!
Dr Erin came to visit Mere today and give her some extra TLC:
Meredith enjoyed lot of willow branches from her friends:
Meredith on her way to WSU:
Lucky on the Lookout
The other day Kelsi wrote about distractions and how Mave ran out on the Bray, for the first time, during a fight that involved the whole group and ended with all nine chimps out on the Bray. During this skirmish Lucky somehow found herself up on Ryan’s Lookout for the first time and she enjoyed tapping into her adventurous side so much that she did it again later that same day. Then the next day when we were trying to serve breakfast to the nine we couldn’t find Lucky and turns out she was up on Ryan’s Lookout again, by herself, enjoying the morning! Today Jenna and I anticipated her journey up to the Lookout so we came armed with our camera’s and words of encouragement
Lucky, heading up the Bray, with some hesitation:
But being the brave soldier she is, she eventually made her way all the way up to Ryan’s Lookout:
And Rayne, just because:
For the Love of Chow
During mealtime here at CSNW there isn’t much that Burrito looks forward to more than receiving his chow bags, he is careful to make sure not a speck of chow dust is left behind. Today I was able to document this love affair, enjoy!
A Boy and His Chow: A Series
Not that he would say no to having some leeks as well
And finally, Missy and Jamie also enjoyed a post-lunch grape feast from the vine next to their greenhouse this afternoon:
Missy
Jamie
Lucky to know her
Happy Anniversary to Mave, Willy B & Honey B!
Today marks four years since Willy B, Mave and Honey B made their way to CSNW and a lot has happened since they arrived. The original plans for the three didn’t work out as everyone had hoped but after some time the Lucky 6 arrived and welcomed Willy B, Honey B and Mave into their family. While some are still finding their place within the group, which is completely normal, others have found their other half, like Mave did with Dora.
I wasn’t here for the introduction of two groups one of my favorite things about introductions with chimpanzees is watching them figure each other out and decide how to approach each other. I have been watching Rayne and Honey B’s relationship since I started and while some day’s it can be a little rough, they are quick to forgive and also have so many moments where I see them playing and grooming recently. One thing Honey B has picked up is Rayne’s keen fashion sense.
Honey B wearing a headband as a waistband:
They’ve not only made new friends but since their last anniversary the Bray has opened so they now have their very own outdoor habitat to explore at their leisure!
Willy B enjoyed an anniversary forage with his group
Honey B enjoying her lunch forage in the chute with the girls, she’s clearly a big fan of radicchio!
I couldn’t get them in the same frame but Mave and Dora enjoyed taking an after lunch snooze in the chute together
While Cy enjoyed some quiet contemplation in the greenhouse, because everyone needs a little alone time
Missy’s birthday is coming up soon, so don’t forget to check out her tomato themed wishlist items!