Big Day on the Bray
June 28, 2023 by Kelsi -
Today was a big stepping stone for all the residents at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. We felt that all the chimps on both sides of the building were ready to be out in their respective outdoor areas at the same time. For those who may not be familiar, Foxie’s group has a two acre outdoor habitat called Young’s Hill and Rayne’s group has a newly built outdoor habitat called The Bray. These areas are two separate spaces where the chimps can go outside as they please all day and when they look up there are no bars above their heads. We had been alternating access until Rayne’s group seemed comfortable outside and had a good understanding of the double electric fence. Until today!! In unknown situations we often plan in case something turns into an emergency, but we really just anticipate that there may be a lot of yelling back and forth or displaying and we just hoped for the most anticlimactic scenario, which luckily for us, it was sooo anticlimactic. Both groups were so calm and seemed to act like they have been doing this all along. What were we so worried about?! However, just because it was calm didn’t mean they didn’t interact or notice each other!
Gordo seemed to be mesmerized by Foxie, obviously, look at her! He was a little pilo and couldn’t take his eyes off her. And that cute little Foxie was just confidently strutting her stuff around Young’s Hill. Foxie was so brave, not a hair standing on end, she was even going for a perimeter walk on her own for a bit which Gordo seemed to be kind of following her from the Bray. We weren’t sure Willy B was even paying attention enough to notice Jamie’s group had access to Young’s Hill, but maybe 7 to 10 minutes later he spotted Jamie and was mesmerized, just like Gordo! Willy B was even venturing out onto the grass to get a better look, but Jamie was playing it cool and pretending she didn’t notice. Honestly, it was great to see both groups out foraging and not reacting to each other! Obviously, every day will be different with different reactions, but this was a great way to start!
Gordo watching the neighbors, specifically Foxie from afar:
Willy B realizing Jamie is on Young’s Hill:
Jamie foraging on Young’s Hill and pretending not to notice Willy B:
Terry and Rayne foraging on the Bray and spying on Jamie’s group:
Rayne:
Terry on Esher for a better view:
Cy could not be bothered, he was just enjoying the forage:
I will leave you with Bubba <3:
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WOOHOO!!! :heart_eyes::smiley::star_struck: What a great first time for the groups to be outdoors simultaneously!
Well…… Gordo, I see you found yourself a Hot Tamale :yum:She’s a Beauty all right …..as for Willie B He’ll never be quite the Alpha Male….. but you never know he could be (one day) in Jamie’s Eyes! I think he would like a Dominating Woman….. take charge kind of Lady…… and Jamie Meets that Bill…. I think we have a Soap Opera forming here…..I Love :cupid:You Burrito….our Silly Little Man….. Oh I so would have loved to see that Introduction Video….GET ONE………:grin:
WHOOPEEE…….all the planning is working out fine………..!!!!!!……:heart_eyes:
Oh what a great day!!
Gordo thinking, “Foxie Lady.” Happy to hear the double outdoor access was uneventful today. So what was Burrito’s reaction to being able to get a better view of the neighbors?
I know, right? The ones he’s been watching through the window, for so long!?
Hoorah for exploring the great outside and meeting the neighbors (from a distance!)!!! Pant hoots all around and wishing many happy times for all!!
I was thinking of that Song “Foxy Lady ” by Jimi Hendrix….I can hear Gordo singing ……” Foxy
I wanna take you home
I won’t do you no harm, no
You’ve got to be all mine, all mine
Ooh, foxy lady
Yeah, foxy, foxy, now a I see you, heh, on down on the scene
Ooh, Foxy
You make me wanna get up and scream “:rofl:
Oh…Happy Birthday Gaynell:cake::wine_glass:Hope it was Swell:hugging:
Yay!!! OMG!! Gordito is too cute!!! He is just too asorable for words!!! Well done everyone!!
Yes, Gordo is Cute!…..but Just Check out that Devilish Smile on Willie B….Always using their charms to win the Ladies 😀
I noticed Willy’s smile as well! Perhaps he can send her a cowboy boot catalogue and win Jamie’s attention? Well, she and her pal Foxie are lookers…
Older women are always the best… seasoned and refined…Don’t ya know!:rofl:Tobin she said keep the catalog just give me the boots:boot::grin:
Isn’t it great when everything works out well. Big sigh of relief for everyone. What a gteat day of fun and eyeing up the neighbors.
History is made! Congratulations and kudos all around! I’ll say it again, I am impressed by everything you have accomplished in two short years. Just look at the life the Nine are enjoying now! Yippee!! I hope everyday is this “uneventful”. 🙂
Thanks for these photos. I am still smiling over the expressions on Gordo’s and Willy B’s faces as they stare at the awesome ladies on Young’s Hill. And I too want to know what Burrito’s reaction was.
I’m loving the last picture of Willie B and that smile. I’m sure he’s saying to himself “whoa, can it really be…its that sexy, smart, confident girl that I’ve spied before and now I can really get an eye full before we have to go back inside. I wonder if she will notice me tomorrow and think what a handsome guy I am.”
I’m so happy things were fairly uneventful today and continue to be.
What a special day! So delighted it went so well and that they could all be out there together. Yay!!
Oh Burrito! He’s such a charmer:)
Oh my word seeing these chimps eyeing each other reminds me of that lovely Paul Young song “Love is in the air” with a little skip in their step. I loved Bubba’s relaxed expression chilling out . Thankyou for sharing this momentous moment of the meeting of the two groups . Your hard work has sure paid off .
Well done to all of you , and so glad that it went perfectly. No wonder Willy B was keeping track of his dental work in selfies….it was all leading up to flashing that smile at Jamie! Can you believe these incredible chimp people coming so far in their journey since their many years of deprivation and cruelty? I’m in awe of their resiience, bravery and trust in their own special humans who have given them this chance.
Carol, this comment of yours cracked me up. Still giggling over it!
“No wonder Willy B was keeping track of his dental work in selfies….it was all leading up to flashing that smile at Jamie!”
Oh, loving Gordito’s floof! Not as thick as Mave’s and Terry’s, but thick in its own right. Gordito, it’s a shame that you can’t see her inside, spinning on a smooth floor and hanging like a bat from the rafters! Like you, she’s often got a smile and makes others smile!
Willy B must have remembered Jamie’s straight back and strong posture from when they met. The Boss (who went back inside and was curled up next to Burrito, it seems).
I’m so glad that this went well, you guys! Here’s to many days of peaceful forage all over the hill!
Maybe the old school 7 will take a page from The Californians and start grooming or napping outside!
Oh, how exciting and wonderful! I ditto all that’s been said about this fabulous happening. LOVE these pics!!! I’m so thrilled (and relieved) that the first simultaneous outing went so very well. I’ve kind of been waiting for it to happen and anticipating all manner of “colorful” possibilities (like screaming and racing and other boundary-setting behaviors). But WOW!! this really shows how comfortable the new folks are in their space and how trusting the older group is. As the only male in his group, I’m interested in seeing Bubba’s reactions over time. And also whether or not the “reports” from their group helps prompt the women inside to venture forth. I love that they get to choose what they do, but I’m also curious about why they’re not going outside…
So happy to see this finally happen. And that it got WillyB out onto the grass!
Gordo’s floof!:joy: maybe Foxie will throw him a doll one day. Willy is getting braver by the day. Love sure is empowering isn’t it? I love his smile. His face has always mesmerized me. Not a freckle in sight! Flawless complexion. Oh my silly valentine Burrito:heart_eyes:What would we do without you?