To answer some of your questions from the previous post, both Jamie and Annie ventured all the way out yesterday. Jamie explored the entire outdoor area without stepping foot on the snow. She eventually settled in an alcove where she could sit on a dry ledge and watch the snow fall. Annie took very delicate steps across the snow to fetch some dried fruit.
Some of you may remember that Jamie signs to us occasionally. Sometimes she is clearly gesturing – in a way that other chimps don’t – but we can’t figure out what she’s trying to say. Its possible that she was taught different signs than the signs of American Sign Language that we are familiar with, or it could be that she just gets too excited to sign in a way that we can understand.
When we first opened the door to the snowy outdoor enclosure, Jamie was signing up a storm. I thought she might be asking for clothes, but when I offered her a sweatshirt, a hat, some mittens, and a scarf, she just looked frustrated. She eventually donned the winter hat and gave up on me…
Cindy says
I love that look of determination on Jamie’s face. It feels like she’s so clearly thinking and planning something, perhaps how to get around without touching the snow. Language can be so frustrating sometimes!!!
Steph & Kurt says
I love the description of Jamie signing. She was probably thinking “dumb humans” 😉
Would love to see video footage of them in the snow (if they ever venture out again). We had snow here in Seattle too yesterday. Our dogs hate the rain but they get very playful in the snow (for short periods!).
Isle Dance says
Oh wow, how fantastic! You all do such a fantastic job of reading and sensing what they want to convey. Thank you ((so)) much for sharing more – it really means a lot. :o)
Denice says
Knowing you Diana, I think you were probably more frustrated not understanding what Jamie was trying to say but I agree she was probably thinking “what the heck, I can’t say it any clearer for you”.
Jeani Goodrich says
Oh these photos are wonderful. I loved seeing Foxie in the background in one of them eating snow with her troll. Maybe you could video when Jamie signs and see if anyone else understands what she is signing. Snow came down her yesterday and snowed through the evening. It made it all the more fun to think we also had snow just like the Cle Elum people. I agree with Denice Diana, I’m sure it was more frustrating for you. Thanks for more photos.
Shelly C/Hidden Valley Lake, CA says
Great pics JB….Jamie definately looks frustrated in the second picture, maybe if you video tape her signing someone else can understand, did Diana see her signing also? She looks very deep in her thoughts….I wonder what she is thinking and what it is she wanted…I bet that is so frustrating! Were there any specific words in her signs that you did understand??? They all need some snow booties, I had found them one time looking for the dogs somewhere in Minnesota, I wonder if they would wear them? Thanks for the pictures JB…we enjoyed them very much ~~~stay warm!
Shelly Knapp says
This is just so adorable!!! Thanks so much for posting the photos and write-ups. I think it’s hysterical that Jamie explored the whole enclosure without touching her feet on the cold, snowy ground. I’m surprised that Annie was so bold and walked right out in it when the others weren’t. Boy, she earned that treat, huh? 😉 Stay warm and dry and enjoy the beauty of it all. Oh, and I just posted some photos from the enrichment party yesterday on the forum 🙂 It was a blast!
Diana says
I just wanted to point out that the post author’s name is at the top left under the title next to the date. It’s very tiny and easy to miss. I didn’t want to take credit for J.B.’s post!
I didn’t see Jamie sign – I was outside enjoying the weather and taking some photos 😉
One interesting thing to add – we did give the chimps snowballs the night before as part of their dinner forage. They were mildly interested in them – nothing like the way they reacted to the opportunity to scoop up the fresh snow themselves. I think so much is about choices and any small measure of independence.
dee says
this is so great! new senses and wonders!
Margaret and Karen says
I love it all and hope for more! In case you have not noticed, JB, Diana and Sarah, we have never had enough! Aren’t you sorry you ever started this blog thing? 🙂
Jamie getting around the outside area without touching the snow reminds me of the last time Karen and I were volunteering. Karen had made treats for them by putting nuts into some plastic film canisters. Jamie saw her doing this. When Jamie had one of these treat canisters outside and she saw Karen watching she carried a chair as close to K as she could and sat there eating the nuts for a good 20 minutes. The thing is that the straw was damp from previous rain or dew and so Jamie carefully moved over it on her heels, trying to touch the straw as little as possible. Then ofcourse, she sat on the chair and had that cute little bum of hers right off the straw. Great problem solving.
MS says
Snow is not a chimp’s natural habitat. Do they run the risk of getting sick in such cold?
JB says
MS,
When its very cold, like it is right now, the chimps only play for brief periods outside before returning to the warmth of the playroom. Thankfully, they are resilient enough to enjoy winter – at least a little bit.
Theresa says
I would love to see Jamie signing to you although I know it must be frustrating for her and you when you don’t understand what she is trying to say. Hopefully it won’t be too long before it becomes clear. Although the weather was cold and winter clothes make sense maybe she wanted her tutu! LOL. Hang in there, JB. She is a chimp AND female so you have your work cut out for you! Thanks for sharing. I look forward each day to the blog entry and it always makes me smile.
Shelly Knapp says
That’s funny Theresa! ~ “she is a chimp AND female”… yep, good luck with understanding those communications JB! 😉 If Jamie knows the sign for “you’re beautiful”, I’m betting that’s a universal communication that instantly dimishes frustration!
Kathy Benson says
KOMO just had the video of the Chimps first look at the snow!!
Shelly Knapp says
Oh that’s fabulous news Kathy!! More promo for the chimps – I hope KOMO said “send Christmas dontations!” 🙂
Devin McCormick says
I am a recent monthly donor as of a few months ago when I found out about you but I have to honestly say I cry when I see all of these beautiful chimps either in the video of them going out in the snow first time or just the pictures above. I haven’t met any of you but I believe all the chimps are all just as happy to have a little bit of freedom and a warm and caring home as any other person would be to feel wanted. Thank all of you for your beautful caring of Jody, Negra, Foxie, Missy and Annie and the others, I apologize I don’t know all their names yet, give me time and thank you to all you other donors for your giving. Maybe together we can show people that every creature no matter the species deserves to be treated as you would want to be treated. Sorry, I get emotional when I see animals that are happy like these guys and gals.
Kathy Benson says
This morning before I left for work, KING 5 had the video on the news.
Shelly Knapp says
RIGHT ON!!! Kathy, thanks so much for letting us know.
Devin, welcome to our little family 🙂
Jeani Goodrich says
I didn’t get to see the video on TV but went to the web site for both 4 and 5. $ had the whole video. It was so cool. I had teachers come up to me yesterday and today to say they saw it.
Devin, glad you are with us. I love your warm emotional heart. That’s what it is all about!
Theresa says
Welcome Devin! Don’t worry about getting emotional. We all do it frequently when it comes to the chimps so you are one of us now. Don’t ever apologize for having a caring heart. We need so many more people in this world that do. I promise you will come to love the Cle Elum 7 as much as we do. Keith, Diana, Sarah, and J.B. are generous when it comes to sharing them with us.