Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Willy B

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:

Photogenic Chimpanzees

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When I arrived at the sanctuary this morning, I was determined to get as many photos as I could before our weekly staff meeting/training began. One, because a lot of you just love seeing photos of the chimps and their daily adventures. Two, because I wanted to prove to myself that I could get as many photos of as many chimps as I could. Granted, as some of you are aware, trying to get photos of some of them is almost impossible because either they come running up and get too close to the caging to get a photo, or they are in those few spots around the sanctuary where it is impossible to get a photo. Looking at you George, Cy, Dora, and Mave.

So please enjoy the product of this self challenge!

Burrito at breakfast:

I had to get these photos using all the sneakiness I could before he came down

Rayne during lunch today:

Gordo doing a little self-grooming:

Willy B also self-grooming:

It’s imperative to watch the neighbors when you’re done grooming

Foxie and Moana go for a walk around Young’s Hill:

Sweet Lucky:

Missy at breakfast:

Terry waiting for a caregiver grooming partner after lunch:

Just noting that I did indeed get photos of Jamie and Annie, but they were a one shot scenario where the photo didn’t come out. Honey B was busy doing Honey B things on the Bray and in the Chute. She was just to fast/busy for me to get a photo. And Negra said no in her own Negra way by burying her face in her nest when the camera was raised. I obey all of the Queen’s demands.

For me, I would consider getting photos of half the chimps today was a success. Maybe in the near future I will try again.

Rage Baiting

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Chimpanzees are prolific tool users. In the wild, chimpanzees have been documented fishing for termites, ants, and algae. Since we are kind of low on those fishing items, the fish for other things. For instance, as you’ll see in you video, Willy B likes to fish for attention from his neighbors. Though you’ll see Willy B doing most of the work, or lack thereof, we are sure he wasn’t the one who thought of this concept. The one most likely who started this activity is:

Honey B!

Though he didn’t start this behavior, I’m sure Willy B appreciates adding another chaos maker to his repertoire.

Willy B Decoded

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Willy B is a creative spirit. You could even say innovative. Because of those qualities, he has absolutely no problem entertaining himself! Especially, if what he is doing is loud and slightly chaotic, it’s all the better for him. It’s just an environment he thrives in best. It would come to no surprise that when he keeps himself occupied, the games that he comes up with are just so Willy B coded: bouncy balls being thrown in all directions, boxes being dragged along the floor, slinkies being thrown around, or bouncing a giant tub again the wall. It’s just Willy B!

 

This And That

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A while back, I posted a blog that included what I called “lousy photos“.  The photos that we take throughout the day that don’t make it on the blog.  This also happens with videos.  You never know when you’ll catch a great moment, or have your phone knocked out of your hand!  Or in my case, knocked into the drain.

Today, I’ve compiled a few videos that weren’t enough, for one reason or another, to warrant their own blog post.  Willy B plays with a box, Rayne forages on the Bray, Ellen and Gordo play, and Honey B works on her nest.