A New Day
November 30, 2019 by Diana -
Burrito was full of energy today! He spent most of his day monitoring the other chimpanzees somewhat wistfully.
If I had opened up the door, he would have gladly joined them.
He still has a while to go with his recovery, and we need him by himself so that we can closely monitor him and so his sutures don’t open up. But the fact that he was so alert and up and about and paying attention to all things was a wonderful sign that he’s feeling better.
Paying attention to all things except, apparently, the tape we left on him after his latest visit to the clinic. We purposely left some tape on him in the hope that it would distract him from his stitches, but he isn’t bothered enough by the tape to have removed it. Luckily he’s not paying attention to the stitches yet either!
Tonight, he got a blanket and climbed up to the bed in front room two. This is the first night he chose to sleep up on a platform instead of on the blanket-lined floor. He’s acting more and more like Burrito each day.
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Yay Burrito !
Poor little boy, I’m so glad he’s feeling better.
He looks so sweet, watching his girls.
Did Burrito’s girls attack him? He had his eye on Mave when she arrived. Female jealousy? Who started the fight? Bad girls? Poor Burry .
Burrito was in with Willie B, Honey B, Mave, and Negra when the attack happened (I believe). They had indicated that it might have started between Honey B. and Burrito – but I am assuming Willy B did most of the damage.
Sandra, that’s correct on who Burrito was with when it happened. We are not making assumptions about who inflicted most of the injury because we didn’t see a lot of what happened. We do know that Negra stayed out of it and that Honey B, Mave, and Willy B all were part of the attack when we got there. We will never know what/who started it and at what point others joined. Burrito seems to get himself into trouble in social groups, including the group of six females he’s known for so long.
Thanks for the clarification.
You bet!
Heres the blog post about the conflict. https://staging.chimpsnw.org/2019/11/update-2/
It’s nice to see my buddy doing better.
So happy to hear this good news about Burrito. It must be hard for him to be isolated but at least he can see what his friends are up to and visit with them.
Hope he sleeps well in his new chosen spot. Sweet pictures. Hugs to all.
Is there a chance he will become depressed without socialization?
Thanks
He might get a little down, and I’m sure as he’s feeling better, he will get antsy to be in the mix, but he still has social time with the six chimpanzees he’s known for so long – they can visit him through the mesh.
Such good news!! He’s one of my favs ~ actually they all are but he’s special!! Picturing him starting to thrive now!! Love and hugs to you all….
So happy and relieved to hear this!
Hang in there, little buddy .. just a bit longer, and you can be sure your girl-gang will positively DOTE on you when you’re released from solitary confinement. 😉
Thanks for the good news, Diana!
I was wondering what that tape and bandaid were all about as I didn’t recall seeing them before. His left thigh sure looks like it too a hit in the fight. Ouch. But it is great news that Burrito is feeling a little bit closer to normal. Sweet boy, that last photo caused me to heave a big sigh, I mean just look at him! Sigh…….. Let him know I am sending him a big hug and hopes that he’ll have a big tickle-chase-tug when he is ready.
It is such good news! He does have a few injuries, but I don’t think there’s one on his left thigh. Maybe it’s the light or the way he’s standing? I’m not sure what you are seeing.
Actually, it’s the outside of his left calf (my mistake saying thigh) it looks like a sore of some sort under his hair. And again, might just be the photo? The only thing that’s important is that Burrito is beginning to feel better.
So happy to hear Mr. B is feeling better.
Hi, Diana,
Thanks for the update. Hope your Thanlsgiving was as good as possible, considering all that’s gone on.
You said Mr.B took a blanket up with him. Does that mean he’s nesting now!? No more phantom nests!?
Thanks! Yes, the humans had a nice Thanksgiving gathering after the chimp day was over – most staff and some volunteers joined together for a potluck at the house.
Burrito often picks a single blanket for a nest. He usually slings it over his shoulder like a towel and takes it to his nesting spot. He doesn’t exactly nest with the blanket per se, but sometimes puts it under or over him. I think he’s appreciated the nests we’ve made for him these last few weeks, but it’s good to see him doing his quirky things again.
So glad Mr B is feeling better and better. I am sending him lots of {{{internet hugs}}}
Thank you for the good news about Burrito!
Do you have cameras in the areas where the chimpanzees live so they can be monitored 24 hours a day?
You’re welcome! We installed cameras a few months ago. They don’t reach all of the areas of the chimp house (that would be very complex if not impossible) and most are not able to display a clear image in the dark because they are mounted outside of the caging.
So Thankful that Burrito is improving and doing well…. Thank you!
I have to finally say it. I’m sorry Mave, Willy B and Honey B joined the original 7. I’m a first-born (of 7) and have always had a hard time with additions to the family. I do resent that Burrito was so badly hurt. Not charitable of me. But that’s how I feel.
Maureen you have love and concern for those sweet chimpanzees….. they’ve lived such hard isolated lives and in their own little group for so long….. They are without many of the social graces …..that they never developed being torn from their environment …..just pray that their caregivers make the right decisions …..we don’t make the decisions but we have a right to voice our concerns……always we pray keep it SANCTUARY.
I think we’re all disappointed, Maureen…and we’ve ourselves to blame…everyone had high expectations and romanticized the “Missy B/Honey B reunion” so much that it’s perfectly understandable that we’ve been disappointed that it didn’t work out. But I’ll stop short of saying I’m sorry they came, because there were something like 40-42chimps at WW….I’m glad this small sanctuary was able to save these three.
What will happen to the other 30-something?
I’m sorry there were injuries, but happy three more beings get to live out their natural lives as best as possible.
(Then again, I’m the youngest of 5, so I’m an “interloper”! :P)
I agree Linda. It can feel like an unfair intrusion on a coherent group with a long history but the 3 deserve no less sanctuary than them the 7. Neither group did anything to end up in their previous situations. Humans, as a society and individually, have the ability to reason and empathize and so we must also understand the concept and differences between personal and group or societal guilt, even if we had no hand it. I am sure that no one here could have attended to a lab chimp in a 6×6 cage, forever indoors, never able to sleep in the dark, never knowing the sun or natural world, aiding or by inaction allowing invasive and painful procedures in our name, even if no one asked us, and not feel horribly guilty about it. Even if we weren’t there, I do believe we are responsible for fixing it as best as circumstance allows. I think that projection is sometimes useful. Imagine Mave as an orphan, a foster child or living on the street and tell me it’s wrong to help. We are supposed to be long past the days of Dickens.
The 7 will adjust to the 3 and vice versa (because we must remember they are already a group). All 10 will get sanctuary even if it means separate living areas. It will be the CSNW Home for Retired Chimps, complete with medical care, meals, recreation, and nature outings. The amenities are outstanding (who wouldn’t like heated floors and a maid), the activities and celebrations a blast with all tastes catered to, and the grounds are beautiful. Who would not wish for that??
We pray forever keep it Sanctuary….that they are safe and loved……
I guess our poor beloved Mr. B, having missed out on his early opportunities to attend “Chimp Charm School,” will always be a hindrance for him socially…
Of course I have the same love & long term hopes for all ten chimps, but for whatever reasons, Burrito has captured a special place in my heart of hearts…There are so many things about him that are endearing to me, & it’s a bit painful to understand his social isolation knowing how much he longs to be back with his old family…but of course it’s obvious why he has to be physically separated from them…I hope this unnerving event won’t change his personality…
I’m just so happily awed by the amount of love & dedication you all show to the long term betterment of all 10 chimps…I wish I could meet you someday to explain my long deep connection to chimps, gorillas & orangutan…(starting in very early childhood…)
Burrito…You’re sure a champ to so SO many of us, Buddy…
Hooray, Burrito! Wishing continued recovery; you’re so lucky to have such wonderful caregivers!
Oh my heart continues to go out to sweet Burrito, I am so very glad he is improving but must be so heartbreaking to see him watching the girls and wanting to be part of the group again. I hope that the days will go by fast as he completely recovers and can be reunited soon.
Lots of love to Burrito and the entire staff
Kathy