The chimps were thrilled to have a grass forage this morning. I am still not sure what’s going to happen when we complete Young’s Hill, and they get to go out onto two acres of grass. Annie may never come back in again!
Foxie took one piece of grass at a time and carried them around like a pirate carrying a knife in his mouth while climbing a ship’s rigging. Strange analogy, I know, but that’s what it looked like.
The chimps eat grass differently than they do other types of food and browse. They take one piece at a time, fold it accordion-style, and swallow it without chewing (often gagging themselves in the process!).
Great pics J.B. !! I can just picture them now lounging right in the middle of Young’s Hill just taking it all in. Lying in the grass, smelling the grass, eating the grass……………….and I think I can hear Foxie, “Rrrrrrrr matie!!” 🙂
Oh I can’t wait to see how long it takes for any of them to come back! JB what a wonderful thought. That Foxie is hysterical! And it is a good analogy. That is very interesting how they accordian it. Is there a reason why they eat grass this way? Are they trying to gag themselves for a reason, like an upset tummy?
I can hear the squeeks …………………….
hee hee pirate foxie ! lovely pictures thank you xxxx
I can’t WAIT for Young’s Hill to be a reality!
I love all the grass pictures. Need them for my scrap book. Am amazed on how gentle Annie’s hands look.
Chimps in the wild eat a certain leaf whole to help them clear parasites out of their lower GI tract. Is this grass-eating instinctual to the wild? Hmmmm……
They are so gentle when they pick and hold things like grass, its amazing the way they are so sensitive to certain things. I’m sure they will love the green green grass of home. When Young’s Hill does become reality they will know the “grass is greener on the other side”, but instinctively will return to their main home, but to see them out and about will be amazing.
It will be wonderful to see them on Young’s Hill. Annie will be in chimp heaven!