Back in February, we witnessed Foxie build her first true blanket nest. It is still a rare occasion and is usually short-lived, but she is getting there. She made a little more progress today. It seems having a new(ish) troll doll with hair helps (or several), as well as caregivers handing her an endless supply of blankets.
As we approach our 3rd anniversary (June 13!), her progress is only fitting considering two years ago (on the one-year anniversary of the chimps’ arrival to the sanctuary) Diana and I witnessed Foxie lay on her first blanket. As inappropriate as the phrase “baby steps” may seem since I am referring to a fully grown adult chimp, her steps towards nest building are small, but priceless, no less.
Jackie they are truly priceless and so sweet to watch , but lovely Foxies breaks my heart i so want to snuggle down in the biggest nest of blankets 🙁 a lovely clip none the less she is doing so well xxx
I was happy she touched the blankets and then to actually take them and put them behind her and around her is priceless. She will get there in her own time.
what progress …dear sweet Foxie with her Trolls…so happy to see her want the blankets, she felt secure …loved seeing this clip!
Could you refresh my memory about the clapping behavior displayed while nesting? I seem to remember that this is a trait shown by many chimps who have been in captivity.
Hi MS,
We don’t know much about Foxie’s clapping behavior except that in this context, it seems connected to nesting. Not many chimps do it and I don’t think it is seen in the wild, though interestingly, both Foxie and Burrito do it here. Here’s a link to a blog post about it: https://chimpsnw.org/2010/01/phantom-nesting/
That is so lovely – what a sweet girl, I loved her excited twirl.
remind you of anyone 🙂 ?
i also love the troll thrown over the shoulder ( but kept on her back) i also notice you can have it back …minus its legs 🙂
I agree with you, Donna, its nice to see her want the blankets, I’m just happy she wants to touch them. I noticed she’s still using her phantom nesting hand movements.
She will get there eventually. I have a feeling when she does build a nest it will be a huge one. Foxie and her trolls are always a treat. She does enjoy her babies.