In many biomedical labs, chimps don’t get any enrichment (i.e. blankets, toys, etc.). It’s hard to imagine spending 30+ years without anything to pass the time, when something as simple as a ball of yarn can keep Burrito and Jamie busy for hours.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
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I’m impressed with all the different ideas you all come up with for enrichment, a ball of yarn, who would have thought. How about hiding some nuts in the middle of a ball of yarn, or even a coconut, maybe.
I was thinking maybe a troll inside a ball of yarn.
Jamie has seen someone wind yarn INTO balls before … so cute!
And no, I can’t even imagine how difficult the boredom must have been. {{CE7}} (those are hugs for our chimps!)
I love watching them with enrichment. Jamie knew exactly how to get the yarn back into a ball. Such a smart girl! Hearing Burrito laugh is a treat! Thank you all for making sure our chimps are stimulated and kept busy. Thinking of all those years of boredom is heartbreaking. Thankfully those days are gone.
Knit two…………. pearl one.
Knit two………….drop one.
Pearl one……….. knit two
Repeat
Well, they sure have much more patience then I do. When my yarn knots up I have a little hissy fit!
I love this video. Jamie is so focused on what she’s doing and Burrito is just so happy. They both look so beautiful and healthy. Thank you for taking such good care of them.
Burrito is such a kid. I love the way Jamie tried to roll it back into a ball. We have such a wonderful opportunity to be present at birth of chimpanzee creativity and development because we get to see these (guy and) gals learn all about what life really has to offer, even if they won’t ever get to experience a real chimpanzee life. Thank you for taking the time to chronicle this miraculous event for these seven chimps and making it possible for us to view them.