Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Reassurance

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As I mentioned earlier, we’ve been putting forages out on the hill to encourage the chimps to go out. Negra will do anything for lettuce, so we’ve been using trails of lettuce leaves to lead her across the log bridge to the lowest platform. Tonight she climbed to the top of the platform for what I think was the first time.

On her way back she heard something that startled her. Determined to stay with her lettuce, she sought reassurance from a caregiver from afar, and then from Jamie who approached from below.

Negra amazes me. Imagine the courage that it takes to venture out into the wide open after living 35+ years in cages scarcely bigger than your own body. I am thrilled to see her on that hill.

Missy

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So far Missy is the star of Young’s Hill. She is completely at home out there and already has her favorite spots picked out. There’s the two structures connected by a fire hose ladder at the top of the hill, which provide a great vantage point:

Then when she needs to rest in the shade, she heads down to the hammock:

Many of you already know that Missy loves to jump. She’s already discovered the best place for that:

We’ve been putting out forages on the hill each morning to entice some of the more hesitant chimps to venture out. Negra came out three times this morning and even did some lounging under one of the platforms. Jody is still too scared to go out, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been able to enjoy the forages. This morning, we watched Missy walk bipedally down the hill with her arms full of food. When she got to the greenhouse, she dumped it all in the front of Jody and took only one piece for herself. Jody was very pleased.

A good friend

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Annie didn’t go outside at all yesterday, but she must have been psyching herself up all night because this morning she was ready to bolt out the door. She made her way up the log bridge to one of the lower climbing structures and climbed to the top. After a few minutes of bravery, she was ready to head back to the comfort and safety of the greenhouse. That may have been enough for one day.

Missy has been a good friend these last few days. She is completely at ease on the hill, but she often waits by the end of the tunnel for Annie to join her before she heads out, knowing that Annie needs someone to rely on. But Missy is not going to deprive herself of enjoying Young’s Hill, so if Annie won’t join her, she heads out on her own.

This morning, Missy was by herself on one of the structures at the top of the hill. Back down in the playroom, there was a moment of tension in the group and Annie let out an anxious scream. According to Jackie, Debbie, and Lisa, Missy heard the scream and immediately ran full speed down the hill to the building and into Annie arms.

Jamie on the Rock

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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!
jamie on the rock

Day Two

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I would never have guessed in a million years that Burrito would be this comfortable hanging out on Young’s Hill. He is walking around like he owns the place!

Jamie spent the day today checking things out, while Missy is just kicking back and relaxing on top of the structures and in her hammock.

Despite the fact that everyone went out yesterday, some have shown more caution today. Negra has been out twice, but not very far and not for long. Jody came out briefly but was not ready to let her guard down. And Foxie and Annie have yet to venture back out.

Yesterday was a complete surprise. Today is more like what we expected. This is a huge change in their lives, and they will each become comfortable with it in their own time and on their own terms. I don’t think it will take them very long.

Burrito
Jamie
Missy
Missy

 

Today is the day

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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??

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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.

treat rock in construction