Decades ago, some scientists thought that the ability to make and use tools was what set humans apart from our fellow animals. When Jane Goodall reported to her mentor, Dr. Louis Leakey, that she had seen a chimpanzee named David Greybeard make and use a termite fishing tool at Gombe, he responded with the very famous telegram: “Now we must redefine tool, redefine Man, or accept chimpanzees as humans.” I wonder what he’d say if he could see this this video of Jamie. Can you imagine anyone thinking it’s okay to use these relatives of ours in invasive biomedical research?
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It’s not only the tool use, but the reasoning, knowing the pegs will pop out underneath and she can hammer them again….so simple and commonplace yet so special. Her focus on play for the sake of playing, it’s all something we relate to on such a basic level. It is especially wonderful to see this unedited and unscripted with someone we know who’s not in a documentary and just living her life! As usual amazing, we’re coming to expect the amazing on a regular basis!! You guys have a lot to live up to and you never disappoint!!!
Towards the end, Jamie very delicately moves her toes out of the way of the hammer. Cute! And the way she holds the hammer? LOL – I’ve felt that way about hammers from time to time.
Did Jamie figure out what to do with that toy by herself, or did humans demonstrate it for her a time or two?
The answer to your question, Sarah, is NO!!! I’m in the process of trying to get the book Diana recommended – “Ethics Into Action” by Peter Singer – a book about Henry Spira and how much he was able to accomplish, as just one person, in the animal welfare world. The reviews all say it’s exceptionally inspirational and also provides really good ideas for how people, as individuals, can make a huge impact. We simply must have a sense of urgency in getting the remaining 1200-1500 chimps out of labs – and pushing for legislation that calls for ALTERNATIVES to be used and for MORE ALTERNATIVES TO BE DEVELOPED for all animal testing.
I forgot to say: notice the troll doll she’s holding in her pelvic pocket too (that’s the space between a chimpanzee’s femur and hip, where they often carry fruit, toys, and other goodies).
As far as I know no one demonstrated this toy. She’s just a cleaver girl.
she was determined to get that orange peg through, banging on it and then little troll doll feet appear from her hip pocket! I didn’t know that Jamie liked carrying around the trolls too (maybe I missed something along the way). I love it how she is always busy doing something! Go Jamie!
doh! I hadn’t seen your post yet Sarah!
It’s much more impressive that she can hit them the small wrong end of the hammer. Jamie is a brilliant girl!
This is the best yet! Karen will be delighted when she sees this as I think she sent that hammering toy to Jamie!
I think the answer is to accept chimpanzees as humans, although some might think that is a little demeaning to the chimps. 🙂 How could humans even think of treating these amazing beings so horribly by making them live in tiny cages & using them in research & entertainment??? It’s fun to see how focused & engaged Jamie is in this video….she is totally concentrating on hammering the pegs (so cute that she has her little troll doll with her)! And Tamela is right….it’s much harder to hammer those pegs holding the hammer the way she is doing it. Jamie is much more coordinated at this than I would be! 🙂
Maybe Jamie is holding it the right way! 🙂 It does look like a handle. She is definitely a smart girl. I had to watch it again to see the troll. I’m not used to seeing anyone but Foxie hold a troll! Oh, all the little fun things they do. It is such a joy peeking into their world. Thanks Cle Elum 7.
On a different note… As I got to school today there was a female mallard in the parking lot. She walked up to my car as I got out. I tried shooing her out of the lot and at least on to the sidewalk. She finally got up on the curb so I walk to my room. She followed me to my door and walked right in when I held the door open. This was not a wild enough bird to have around cars and people. I called my friend who has been a wildlife rehabber, and who also has a pond and lives in the country. She came and got her late this morning and wrote me this afternoon that she had been very thirsty and didn’t know what duck food was but went right for some bread when Peggy offered it. Peggy is not a bread feeder but wanted to see what the duck was used to. After a few hours the duck has settled in with the other mallards on the pond. It is a happy ending and another wildlife released where she can be wild.
Jamie obviously could help out with construction projects around the Sanctuary. 🙂
Yes it looks like she is holding the hammer the right way for her! That darn pesky orange peg sure is trouble!
I simply can’t comprehend how anyone could think it’s okay to use these amazing animals for testing…
Who ever the person was that said animals are dumb…they are apparently real dumb themselves….thank goodness Jamie and all of her “friends” don’t know this and proved that statement wrong….
We have looked at this over and over. Did you notice that she uses both right and left hands equally well? ALso there are two trolls there…one with pink hair and one on the floor beside her left foot with yellow hair. 🙂
What a clever girl. She is so focused on her task, changing hands to try to get a better result. Notice when the troll falls out of her pelvic pocket that she glances down briefly then resumes her task.
How can anyone justify using these animal for research when it’s obvious they are so like us. I will never be able to understand the ill treatment and use of innocent creatures. That human beings could treat these amazing animals badly truly makes my heart ache.
Margaret, thank you for pointing out the other troll doll with yellow hair! I didn’t even notice that one! It looks like Jamie is holding it in her foot. So cute!! When I was young, my friends and I collected troll dolls and carried them around with us….just like these girls do!! 🙂 I’m wondering if Burrito has any interest in the troll dolls? I’ve never seen a picture of him with one. What is Burrito’s favorite enrichment activity (besides eating)?
I think Jim is bringing the new storage shed over to the sanctuary this weekend, and he is wondering if Jamie can help him put it together? 🙂
Jeani ~ I love your story about the mallard duck!! This duck obviously knew the right person to go to for help! I think animals can sense people who are animal lovers! What are the odds that she would choose to follow you, someone who knows who to call to help her. What a great story!!! 🙂
hey Jeani – exactly what Audrey said (I was thinking the same thing when I was reading it!) .. that duck no doubt knew you were a good person.
thanks for sharing ..so good to hear happy endings – wish there were more of them.
Audrey –
I loved the mallard story. Last spring I was driving along Montlake blvd right near husky stadium, which is a fairly busy road, as people in Seattle probably know and I noticed a mother duck with about 10 ducklings attempting to step off the UW campus and into the road. I assumed she was leading her babies to Lake Washington. So without really thinking much about it I turned my car to block the flow of traffic so they could cross. A few people honked, but after they noticed what was happening, they all just watched and waited. Some even gave me the thumbs up and waved. It was so great to know that I helped that little family of ducks get to the water. It truly made my day, maybe my week 🙂
i saw your story on the news last nite. thank you so much for your kindness, selflessness, and true understanding of our responsibility.
i will proudly donate to support your wonderful chimpanzee family!
bonnie nicklas
I saw the actual video were the chimp, David Graybeard used that stick to scoop out the termites. So cool,
Oh Jill
I know just how you feel. It is so rewarding to help the wildlife. And people who give you a thumbs up will maybe help the next time since they saw you doing it, showing them how. I got another note from my friend today and said the mallard is now eating the duck food as soon as it is thrown out to all the others and is fitting right in.
Tomorrow I get to release a red-necked sapsucker before I head over to do my first volunteer stint at Cle Elum. It’s going to be a great day on both sides of the mountain!!
Jill, I love your story, reminds me of a famous children’s book that had a lot of influence on me when I was little – Make Way for Ducklings – I have loved it for many years! Good job!