The relationship between captive chimps and their caregivers is endlessly fascinating. Some chimps are very human oriented, and many even prefer the companionship of humans to that of other chimpanzees. Other chimps couldn’t care less about humans – we’re good for providing food and cleaning up, and that’s about it. Usually, it’s the chimps who were raised by humans who prefer humans, and it’s not hard to see why. We make more sense to them.
Take Burrito for example. He was born in a laboratory in New Mexico and, like many lab chimps, he was taken from his mother shortly after birth and reared in a laboratory nursery. At age 3 1/2, he was shipped to Pennsylvania where he lived in a human home as a pet. Six months later he was leased to Jungle Larry’s circus and a year after that, he was back in a lab cage, where he would remain for another 20 years.
He spent most of his life either alone or with humans. I think it’s a miracle that he can get along in a group of other chimpanzees.
Imagine if it was the other way around…if you were raised in a group of chimpanzees and then two or three decades later you were thrust into a group of humans. You might find that your new office mates don’t appreciate your loud dominance displays, or the way you stick your rear end in someone’s face when you are seeking reassurance.
In the 4 1/2 years that Burrito has been at CSNW, he has matured a lot. He is starting to understand the rules of living in a chimpanzee community. He loves to play with some of the other chimpanzees, and he is even starting to understand his role in the hierarchy. But I think that some human oriented chimps like Burrito feel a sense of relief when interacting with us. They understand us better than they do other chimpanzees. And they know that we won’t get upset or retaliate if they break one of the complex rules that govern life in chimpanzee society. Or maybe Burrito just gets sick of his chimpanzee family. Those reality TV shows always take seven people and stick them in an apartment for a year and that always ends badly.
We’re careful not to overstep our bounds with the chimps, however. Ultimately, we want them to rely on each other for support and in a social system as complex as the chimpanzees’, it takes a lot of work to build those relationships. But from the chimps’ perspective, it’s also good to have a positive relationship with the people you rely on. So we consider these little games of chase and tug-o-war just part of the job.
Wonderfully fun video to watch. Are the ‘quick, panting-like’ sounds Burrito is making a “let’s play…I’m having fun” sound?
Actually, I think all of the vocalizations in the video are made by me 🙂 We often use chimp laughter and “breathy pants” when we play with the chimps.
Wonderful post, JB!
WONDERFUL POSTING!
It’s hard to imagine a better job on earth than being Burrito’s caregiver. Thank you for the fascinating post. I’m so happy that Burrito doesn’t have to be alone anymore.
A most insightful post . thank you JB
I’ve noticed the such a huge change in Burrito,
due to his life on the Young s Hill.
The Hill truly has changed him,, his entire sense of self is far more pronounced.
He shines and glows with his new sense of self esteem and self confidence..
Its like , he KNOWS his OWN WAY.,,
and HIS OWN role
he just seems to be much more
comfortable ,,overall,
,
I absolutely LOVE love love little Burrito,,
( I still have to send his new Popper Toy,,)
Very informative and insightful post J.B. I really enjoy learning these kinds of things about the chimps. I concur with Carrie; what a great job it must be to be surrounded with so much joy and cuteness! Burrito has really latched onto that pasta utensil!
The “play bow” that is the freeze frame – is that something he regularly does?
Is that what it is? a play bow?
JB do you feel like he has a special connection with you because you’re both guys?
Adorable!
Yes, Burrito bows like that quite often when he plays, especially when he plays with humans. Foxie also exhibits this behavior. It’s not a universal play gesture like that of a play bow in dogs, but I imagine it means roughly the same thing, e.g.”This is play”, “I am prostrated so I can’t hurt you”, and “Come get me.”
I do think that Burrito appreciates his guy time since he has no male chimps to play with (and vice versa, since I am the only guy on staff!), but his favorite people are all women.
As tragic as captivity has been for all the chimps, I cannot help thinking that having the opportunity to understand humans – and our having the opportunity to understand them – is a positive thing. In the dying of the idea of captivity and experimentation comes an opportunity for the two species to more closely interact. It gives them the opportunity to see another animal that closely resembles them (with less hair, and getting to wear boots) and to have a relationship with this other animal. That must raise their intellectual capacity to some degree.