YouTube video

more tree-climbing adventures!

October 29, 2022 by Diana -

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What a day! The video above says it all, but below are a few still photos.

Chad, on his day off, happened to see Missy’s climb as he was accompanying a former chimp house volunteer on a walk around the hill. He and J.B. took some videos with their phones as I walked up with the camera and telephoto lens, which was not working right away, but I did get one good photo of Missy amidst the branches, foraging on pine needles:

and some photos on her way down:

18 Comments

  1. Avatar Karen on October 29, 2022 at 6:53 pm

    That is wonderful to see, so happy for her. I wonder if any of the others will give it a try.
    Also, a question, how high do you think she has climbed? (Its hard to estimate when looking at the video)



    • Avatar Diana on October 30, 2022 at 10:14 am

      Karen – we estimate that she was 20-30 feet high. It felt higher watching her from the ground!



  2. Avatar Linda C on October 29, 2022 at 6:58 pm

    Go, Missy, go! (safely!)
    Go, Neggie, go!
    And oh, my dear Tiny one, with.your arthritis!



  3. Avatar Linda C on October 29, 2022 at 6:59 pm

    Your voice was funny,:laughing: Diana “Wait. Whaa…!?”



    • Avatar Diana on October 30, 2022 at 10:15 am

      haha – “say that again?”



  4. Avatar Melissa Marcus on October 29, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    Go, Missy! I love you!



  5. Avatar Tobin on October 29, 2022 at 7:28 pm

    Note to Missy:. Chipmunks aren’t quite the same as colobus monkeys, let alone as nutritious or delicious as tomatoes.

    I am so glad that Missy and her troop have trees to climb and gather beneath.



  6. Avatar Edie Bruce on October 29, 2022 at 7:42 pm

    You go, Missy! So great to see….



  7. Avatar Kathleen on October 29, 2022 at 8:39 pm

    Missy! Chipmunks are rascally smart and fast! But, no matter why Missy climbed up, oh the pure, unadulterated, exhilarating feeling to be high into the tree top.

    And Negra! Out and about in all that noise and activity. Was that the farthest she’s gone?



    • Avatar Diana on October 30, 2022 at 10:17 am

      She went a bit further during a forage on the hill last week. This is as far as she’s gone without food motivation. We were surprised that she wanted to get a closer look at the strangers!



  8. Avatar Laura K on October 29, 2022 at 9:02 pm

    Sooo glad to see they have TREES!! And more happy they climb them!!



  9. Avatar Kim Harris on October 29, 2022 at 10:10 pm

    My heart just swells up watching Missy climb that tree like she’s done it all her life. It’s as if the trees were the one major component missing from a life in the wild. Missy getting to experience something so innate and woven throughout her DNA is the best thing ever. I’m just so happy for her!



  10. Avatar Marcie on October 29, 2022 at 10:23 pm

    Go Missy, Go Missy and see how easily she gets down. I wonder if she would ever look out and daydream about climbing a tree. Jody carefully carrying a doll on her back and HRM acting as project supervisor while Jaime was away all made for wonderful Saturday activities. Happy chimps.



    • Avatar Linda C on October 30, 2022 at 10:19 am

      *Foxie carrying the doll 😉



  11. Avatar Joy Cagle on October 30, 2022 at 6:27 am

    It is so cool to see Missy climb that big tree! Fearless that’s Missy!



  12. Avatar tomaustin on October 30, 2022 at 12:16 pm

    she is a heck of an athlete………………….



  13. Avatar Marya on October 30, 2022 at 2:26 pm

    I much agree with what others have said — what a blessing for them to have their outdoor space open to them again, especially with the additions of all the new enrichment and experiences. Watching Missy just takes my breath away with astonishment and joy! And Jody carrying her doll on her back for a walk around the new territory is simply precious. Grateful thanks to all who are making the new enclosures possible!! I wonder what Bubba’s adventures in the new space have consisted of, and Jamie’s?



  14. Avatar Maureen on October 30, 2022 at 4:13 pm

    Whoa, Missy! You go, girl!
    Foxie, hope you felt protective of your doll as you reviewed the wonderful new space.
    Aw, Negra. Hurt to watch you move. I hadn’t picked up you have arthritis. And glad you have enough spunk to check out the trees and the new area. Good for you!



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