Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Willy B

Willy B’s Choice

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First of all, today is Dora’s 36th birthday! Many thanks to our staff as well as interns Sarah and Taylor and Dr. Erin for pulling off a party for the birthday girl even when we were somewhat short on staff. And many thanks as well to Paulette Wrisley for sponsoring the day on Dora’s honor! We’re excited to share photos and video with you all tomorrow when we have time to prepare them.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a video about our boy, Willy B, and the journey he’s been on to become comfortable with the outdoors. I can’t tell you how often I want to be frustrated with this confused, self-sabotaging, sometimes-sweet-and-often-a-jerk, man-child of a chimpanzee. But I know what he’s been through. And I wanted you to get a glimpse as well. It’s really a miracle that he made it out at all. Every time I see him sitting in the grass or walking to the top of the Bray, I feel so proud of what our team has done and what you all have made possible.

My motive for sharing this now, if I’m being honest, is that I thought it would be a good lesson/reminder as to what might lie ahead for George. I know that many of you are excited for what’s next once George completes his quarantine, but I want to prepare everyone to be patient. We don’t know how George will react to other chimps after living alone for so long and we don’t know how he’ll react to a 2-acre habitat after being restricted to small cage for most of his life. Some chimps rush to embrace every new opportunity in sanctuary. Others take their time. It’s all up to them.

But at least now George, like Willy B, will have a choice.

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!

Silly Willy!

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Willy B can be a really silly guy! For those who may not know, he is known for his two-step. Willy B really seems to enjoy when we stomp to a beat. I used to be a cheerleader a long long time ago, so I starting doing some of my cheer stomps for him, which he seems to like a lot. I’m assuming he does at least, because he will find me to start a game of chase. Willy’s chase also has a lot of stomping. Willy B doesn’t always need a beat to play to, but he does seem to respond well to it. In this video, you can even catch him stomping to his own beat! Boxes also make Willy B downright silly. He has been on a real box kick recently! As you will see in the video, Willy thinks it’s really funny to put a box on his head and shake it around.

Don’t forget today is the last day for GiveBIG!

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!