Having recently finished my master’s thesis, I thought this would be an appropriate venue for talking about my thesis topic: the use of chimpanzee behaviors and vocalizations by caregivers. At CSNW, the caregivers incorporate chimpanzee behaviors when interacting with the chimps. For example, during play, we exhibit chimpanzee playfaces, laughter and other playful behaviors. In addition, we use submissive behaviors when the chimpanzees display aggressive behaviors. Chimpanzees are excellent readers of nonverbal behavior. Some natural human behaviors, such as walking upright, swinging our arms, and smiling, are all aggressive/territorial behaviors to chimpanzees. Therefore, although they understand human behavior, to prevent a possible miscommunication, we use behaviors to let the chimpanzees know we are their friends, rather than trying to dominate them. Playing this submissive role has produced relationships that are centered around cooperation and friendship. In my thesis research, when caregivers used chimpanzee behaviors, the chimps spent more time interacting with the caregivers and used more playful and friendly behaviors. I see the effects of this everyday, and feel this simple thing has greatly improved these chimpanzees’ psychological wellbeing. So, next time you see a chimpanzee, whether it be at a zoo or a sanctuary, try giving them a chimpanzee head nod or a playface (you’ll see these behaviors in the video). They will be elated to know someone out there speaks chimpanzee! And being submissive when the chimpanzees are displaying (as seen in THIS video), lets them know that we aren’t threatening them and that we are their friends. It can make a world of difference.
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wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. not only have you given them as much physical freedom as possible, you have also given emotional freedom … humans must take care of their needs and you have removed stress from that activity for them and your reward? you are a honorary apester!
Amazing to watch them just being chimps. Love the displaying. Caught myself doing the old head-bobbing thing again! LOL!
They put me in a happy chimp trance!
Info was great Jackie. Thx for sharing it.
Congratulations on finishing your thesis, Jackie. Thanks for the great video and information.
Thank you SO MUCH, Jackie… this was wonderful to watch and to learn from. It would be a great video to tell every volunteer to watch.
Any chance we can reach your thesis???
This is great, Jackie. I want to learn more and more about your research. Wonderful teaching with video illustration.
Kudos on finishing your thesis! That’s a huge accomplishment!
These are very informative little film bits – many thanks for sharing them. (That was quite the noisy display there at the end. LOL.)
Amazing video, Jackie! I love the playfullness and eagerness of the chimps to play with their caregivers. I have always loved watching chimps display. It’s such an impressive show of strength. I have to admit though that J.B. and Burrito were my favorite. We don’t often get to see him play when food is not involved…LOL. Thanks for the great insight into the chimp world.
It seems to me that Burrito has gotten a lot more playful this year. Does Burrito put something in his mouth when he wants to play? I kept thinking he was going to choke, on whatever was in his mouth, while playing with J.B.
Jackie — Congrats on finishing your thesis and I’d love to read it, too!
What a fabulous post this is. Thank you for teaching us and for helping us to be more knowledgeable advocates. This illustrates the difference between sanctuaries and other institutions that have chimpanzees: you are entirely chimp-focused — the chimps’ needs come first.
Thanks, everyone!
Pam- How flattering! 🙂 I’d be happy to email a copy. If anyone is interested, email [email protected]. It was also, in conjunction with some other research on the topic, published in the journal Zoo Biology in 2008 and will be published in another behavior journal. Shoot me an email for more information!
Fantastic little vids of the behaviors. So interesting. I would love to read your paper as well. I kept wondering why the caregivers offered their wrists, and thought it was for protection! Now I know.
Another great video… thank you!! It must be so rewarding to interact with these guys everyday. This past October, I was in North Carolina visiting relatives and went to the NC Zoo in Asheboro. They have a troop of chimps with full glass enclosures for viewing. There was one chimp sitting close by, Jonathan, and I sat down and had the best time ever!!!!! I never interacted with a chimp before!! We did quite a bit of head bobbing and when I extended my wrist out to him, he gently tapped the glass with his knuckle. My sister thought i was crazy (and I’m sure other visitors did too) when I started dancing for him . But Jonathan gave me head bobs and a play face. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and I’ll never forget it.
Yes, thank you for educating us on this incredibly important subject. I bet if we spent more time on interspecies communication and less time thinking we are the dominant species we would be amazed at what we can accomplish with animals. I hope I have the chance to interact with a chimpanzee now that I know how to let them know I am not one of the “bad guys.”