Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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the bray

Look How Far We’ve Come

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It’s my favorite time of year. When the grass is green and so tall you can barely see the chimps! As I went to take pictures of Jamie’s side of the building this morning, I looked over to the Bray and saw all of Honey B’s group outside on the Bray.

It made me reflect on how far their group has come. Nowadays, Mave spends a lot of her time out on the Bray. I remember a time when she was too afraid to go out. I love watching her and Honey B become so comfortable outside it’s now a preference for them. Sometimes even holding out from shifting so that they can keep it longer.

To me, it is a reflection of what sanctuary offers: providing choice and consistency for them. So that one day things like going outside, something that should have always be accessible to them in their prior life, are now always given, with the hope that one day it will not be so scary. But also recognizing that we have to meet the chimps where they are. Some may never go outside because of the fear, but the choice will always be there for them.

Today, when I looked out to the Bray to see Honey B, Willy B, and Mave all outside at the same time, I just felt really proud of them, for how far they have come.

Mave:

Honey B:

Willy B:

Not Your Typical February

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I can’t believe the weather we’re having. Now, I am not a cold-weather person; my ideal weather is a dry 80-degree day, so you won’t hear any complaints from me. But it’s 45-degrees with no snow on the ground in February? It’s just a little baffling!

I am not sure what this means for our summer, however, it has been wonderful for the chimps to be able to get outside.

Lucky:

Terry with his key:

Gordo:

Cy playing chase on the Bray:

 

When the Rain Settles

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Thanks to that relentless atmospheric river dumping rain and causing serious flooding all over the Pacific Northwest the chimps have been stuck inside, they still have their playrooms and greenhouses but it’s just isn’t the same as getting to explore their outdoor habitats. But finally, the skies cleared—even if the temperature didn’t exactly scream “summer.” Rayne wasted no time making the most of this rare, dry day outside.

 

Rayne, taking in the view:

 

The view:

 

After awhile George came out to join her and they sat outside together to enjoy the quiet morning:

George Explores The Bray

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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.

Settling in with George

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In today’s blog video, see how George is starting to settle into life at CSNW!

I’ve been thinking a lot about George and all that awaits him. I am especially excited to see what he thinks of The Bray, which got me thinking about Willy B’s many (some recent!) milestones exploring The Bray. Here are a few more photos from his big adventure to the top of The Bray recently!

Willy B, Party of One

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Through the years, we have all watched as Willy B has become more and more comfortable exploring The Bray.

Today, without the reassurance of his friends, Willy B ventured all the way to the top of The Bray!  He traveled about as far away from the building as he could get, and climbed up and down the highest structures like he’s been doing it his whole life! While sitting atop the structures, he took in his surroundings, feeling the spring sunshine on his face and the breeze in his hair.

What a lovely way to spend an afternoon!

King of the Crow’s Nests

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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!