Our blog is biased. When you watch our videos, you are likely to see the chimps eating, playing, making nests, or using enrichment. Our blog posts are based on impromptu recordings of the daily goings on here, and these are the things that tend to catch our eye.
You are less likely to see the chimps spitting at us, poking us, or fighting with each other. These things do happen (on a daily basis), but they are much harder to capture on film. So here’s a look at the other (healthy and perfectly normal) side of chimps. It’s not always easy to be a caregiver, but it’s always interesting!
super footage thanks so much for sharing , love the fists punching the roof , and kicking a barrel around wearing a bit of pink net and still looking so awesome ! we humans couldn’t pull that off , its wonderful to see the 7 so full of life and feisty and enjoying life to the full despite their many years of suffering , its a true testament to all of the hard work that you all do every day resulting in all the individuals been able to be them selves finding their own personalities and bringing out all those natural behaviours that had to lay dormant for way to many years , you should all be very proud xxx
Somebody didn’t have a nap.
thank you so very much for shooting/sharing the chimpsters being chimps. you show us the gentler side of them (understandably) but it is very good to know that they are chimpanzees (or bonobos) … and as marie above said, your care has allowed them to be more naturally chimps than they ever were incarcerated. and i adore kat’s comment above about missing a nap … i act pretty much the same when i miss mine, but haven’t the excuse our 7 buds have because i am a mere human being (or as my son use to say ‘humming being’)
You have to be “on your game” as a caregiver.
Thanks for showing this video and showing us a different perspective. Everything on this video is just like any old family, we take out our bad moments out on the ones we love. Whenever I see a chimpanzee “display” I get goosebumps.
FYI–I saw the tv show “60 Minutes” is having a segment on Jane Goodall, this Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010.
Oh my……..looks like Burrito certainly had a little hair up his hiney in this video!! I am so glad that you taped this for us JB. It’s great to see the other side of these chimps we have all grown to love.
Have a question about the spitting………Is there one chimp that spits at a caregiver more than another? Is there one caregiver that gets spit on more than another? Knowing it’s a very basic behavior, I’m guessing you’ve all seen some “spot on” spitting.
**Thanks Candy** I didn’t know about tomorrow night’s 60 Minutes program. Will definitely watch!!
Thank you for sharing this!! Most of the people who I talk to and share with that I volunteer there think that I “play with the monkeys” I first educate them that chimps are NOT monkeys then tell them that there is VERY little human personal contact and that we respect their space. This video certainly shows that different perspective. Thank you, J.B.
I’d say they want you to get a move on preparing Young’s Hill for them, J.B.
Thank you for that true to life video. The chimps are so fortunate to have you people care for them. God bless.
Linda – Jamie, Jody, and Burrito are the big spitters. I think Jody is the most accurate. All of the caregivers get spit on from time to time, but some of the chimps do have a few targets in particular.
Linda, as with humans we each have a different relationship with each of the chimps. Jody and Jamie spit at me, Jody usually because she wants more chow, Jamie spits to remind me who’s the boss or to warn me that she is not liking something I’m doing. Burrito has never spit at me (thank goodness) nor has he ever fliped a cup or anything like that to me, he has been a perfect gentleman to me. There seems to be a coralation with spitting and those who (staff) who operate the doors. When the staff are trying to bring in the chimps say in for breakfast they usually come back into the kitchen just soaked.
In the video you see Burrito ratteling the door, he can do this for what seems like hours, but really only 5 to 10 minutes. I have seen him change hands and never miss a beat. The whole building rattles right along with him, he is very strong.
A few days ago, a friend asked me why chimps aren’t used as seeing eye dogs or helpers for disabled people. I tried to explain that the chimps are too strong and unpredictable to be out with humans. I’ll send her this video to illustrate.
LOL – oh, to have the freedom to just throw something across the room when I’m frustrated, or to scream at folks when I’m irritated. But, nooo. Must. Behave. 🙂
Like Margaret and Karen, I’ll be curious to see what (if anything) about their behavior changes when they have access to even more space. Space to simply run, more naturalistic surroundings, and space to be apart from each other.
While their greenhouse will continue to protect them from snow – I’ll be curious to see if they’ll be tempted out into the larger surroundings during winter, even if briefly, just for the freedom of it.
The space and more natural environment that Young’s Hill will provide will surely have a positive effect on the chimps’ behavior. But it’s important to separate frustration and anxiety behaviors from normal chimpanzee dominance behavior. Even on two acres, the chimps will still fight and display towards one another. These things are just part of being a chimp. In order to maintain standing within the group, you’ve got to demonstrate your strength once and a while (or every morning at 9:15, like Burrito).
One thing that will change is the way the chimps display. When I see footage a wild chimps displaying, I often feel underwhelmed :). I am so used to seeing chimps throw heavy objects across the enclosure and hearing them bang on metal structures that amplify their display. And indoors, their screams are almost deafening. Free living chimps, on the other hand, use what they have – small rocks, saplings, maybe a hollow log.
Jane Goodall tells a story of a free-living chimpanzee named Mike who was low ranking until the day he came across some discarded kerosene cans. By banging the cans around, he created an impressive display that temporarily elevated his status within the group.
So the chimps will still display these behaviors, but in a different way. I have to say I am looking forward to watching Burrito shake a bamboo cane as part of his display…I wonder if the other chimps will pay any attention to him.
JB i bet they will look at him shake their heads tut and say silly boy !
The behaviors in the video are perfectly natural and proof that CSNW is all about the well being of the chimps and letting them be true to their nature. What amazed me at Chimp Eden was the ferociousness of the fights with no injury although the screaming was deafening at times. It was fascinating to watch who took up for whom and then watching them make up with a hug. Those involved in the fight seemed anxious until they received a hug or gave a hug to make amends. Displays were an every day occurrence and it was comical how the little ones scattered to get out of the way. If more people could see these behaviors instead of the cute, cuddly baby or a commercial with silly antics they might have second thoughts about owning one as a pet. At least I hope they would.
JB, thank you for the real everyday footage of the chimps. It is a good thing for all to know what goes on most of the time. I love the way Jamie saunters up to the caging and then springs at the camera. (As if we didn’t know she was coming!) And the last jab Burrito got in before the camera ran out. You just know what he was up to. All of them just want to remind us who is in charge, them, of course!
Theresa, I so agree with your comment about more people seeing the true behaviors. If only….
This is fantastic – thanks, J.B. – really enjoyed that – would actually like to see more of that on the blog. I was thinking today about how much energy they save up not having to collect food for themselves they way they do in the wild, and how that might also contribute to their extra energy in captivity – but I love to see a balance of their behaviors – it’s awe inspiring. I also would be very interested in seeing the aftermath of their displays – how they mend fences, how they settle themselves down, etc. How they soothe and self-soothe. I find that very interesting. Thanks again for this post! -K