We have very exciting news to share…George has gotten his first experience exploring The Bray, one of our outdoor habitats! We have been preparing him for this moment for several weeks by teaching him about the electric fences that serve as the barrier of the habitat (see this post to learn more about fence training). The big day arrived, and we were all excited (and a little nervous) to see him explore this large outdoor space for the first time. See the video here!
We stationed caregivers around The Bray to monitor him as he explored, and were thrilled when he stepped out into the large, open habitat within moments of the door opening. He has amazed us with his bravery in every new experience at the sanctuary so far, and today was no exception. Not only did George step out into his new space, he truly explored it. Some captive chimpanzees, who have lived their lives in enclosures with closed tops and limited exposure to grass, can take days, weeks, months, or even years to find the confidence and comfort to be in such an open space. I have personally known chimpanzees that after many years in sanctuary still are not comfortable walking on grass, or being in open-top spaces without having the security of caging to hold onto (almost as if they are afraid they could “fall up”). To see George step out onto the boardwalk, then into the grass, was truly special. But he didn’t stop there. He climbed the first structure, all the way to the top! He took his first (of many, we hope) walks around The Bray, going to greet Caregiver Krissy who was monitoring him from outside the fences. After walking with her for awhile, he turned around, and minutes later was walking up the other side of The Bray with Caregiver Diana, all the way to the top to see Caregiver Dusty. He foraged for food we spread out on The Bray for him, food grunting as he ate his cherries (one of his favorite foods). Many of us remarked on how brave he was, to be exploring this new space with such confidence and curiosity, and to be doing so alone. Chimpanzees (much like us) often rely on their friends for reassurance to do hard things, but George conquered The Bray all on his own. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him once he has chimpanzee friends, and we are certain he will continue to amaze us with his courage and enthusiasm in meeting every new experience offered to him.
