Willy B decided he would try a few new things today.
He began by climbing to the top of Ryan’s Lookout. I was impressed just to see him do that much and thought he might have called it quits after that, since it took him several minutes and multiple attempts to figure out how to get back down. We have a backup plan for almost any situation imaginable but getting a chimp who is afraid of heights down from a climbing structure would not be easy.
But he was undeterred by that experience, or maybe even invigorated by it. He then set his sights on a crow’s nest.
Who is this guy? And he wasn’t content to climb just one crow’s nest. As soon as he awkwardly climbed down from the first, he headed straight to another one.
He spent quite a while up there, taking in the view and even watching intently as volunteer Carrie drove down the long driveway and off into town.
Getting down from the second crow’s nest was a bit quicker but no more graceful than from the first.
Willy B’s old buddies, Honey B and Mave, were outside keeping an eye on him during his many adventures. One of Honey B’s new favorite places is the Escher climbing structure, which is about halfway up the hill. It still surprises me to see her out there. She has a touch of light sensitivity and can often be seen shielding her eyes when outside in the bright sun. Either that or she’s trying to conceal her identity.
Mave waited patiently at the end of the boardwalk.
While Willy’s conquering of the crow’s nests may have been the biggest news of the afternoon, it was something more subtle that really caught my attention when he returned.
Mave was waiting to greet him at the bottom of the hill.
After bouncing and pant-grunting, Mave walked with Willy B back to the chute to be with the rest of the group.
And neither utilized the boardwalk.
This is a guy that couldn’t let his tender little toes touch grass even when his favorite foods were just a few steps away.
It’s a good reminder that progress in sanctuary work is often measured in years, even decades.
Don’t forget about Giving Day for Apes! We are hoping to compete for the most dollars raised for a North American sanctuary during the “Power Hour” of 10 – 11 a.m. PT / 1 – 2 p.m. ET tomorrow. Please consider making a donation to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest at that time!
