About a month ago we updated our Amazon wishlist and added bright colored pens for Jamie. Several people have sent some (thanks so much!!) and she has been so excited about them!! The other day, she was asking for a pen and I went and got her a couple of the colored ones and a canvas. She was literally jumping up and down when she saw what I had for her and drew a pretty elaborate drawing (albeit on the back of the canvas 🙂 ) She’s not always interested in drawing, though when she is, she’s very meticulous about it. Everything has to be in the right place – not just the lines she draws, but the paper and pens, as well.
Here’s a piece we recovered from the Playroom the other day. Like in the story above, I brought her a piece of canvas to draw on but she found what she thought was a much better medium for her masterpiece. It was a sign I had put on the enrichment to remind the morning crew to put all the troll dolls in piles.
Thanks so much to all who have re-inspired Jamie’s artistic side!
How did you know she was asking for a pen? She fascinates me so much!!!
I was in the chimp area with a clipboard and a pen and she started pointing towards it. She was pretty clear in this instance, but sometimes it’s just trial and error- go grab something you think she might want (like a prized boot) and wait to see her reaction to it, which I think is a fun game for her in and of itself! Today, she was stomping and gesturing towards the kitchen area and I discovered, after much trial and error, that she wanted me to put on J.B.’s (very large, in comparison to my tiny feet) boots and chase her around. As soon as I pointed towards them, she nodded frantically and when she saw me put them on, she took off, initiating a chase game. It may not have even ultimately been what she wanted, but she was pretty happy with my goofiness. It was quite ridiculous. 🙂
Thanks for the great answer! She is so incredibly smart, it’s amazing!
To me it is amazing just how much they are like us humans. Jamie is amazing to me, and Jamie would not be Jamie without her boots! Enjoyed the video, and thank you for sharing it withus.
Oh, my goodness she is incredible! To watch her prepare for and so articulate to separate the paper and lay on her tummy to draw on the paper – with a little practice she’ll produce real artwork – maybe?
Thank-you for sharing the videos – I just love to watch them in their activities stimulation – you guys do such an outstanding job!
She looks like she’s doing her taxes when she opens that folder! I can’t wait to hang the picture I have from her!
Absolutely amazing – and I love that her boots are there with her. Precious.
I find these posts of Jamie so interesting. They make me wonder what her life was like living in a human home as a member of that family. How was she treated, did she eat at the dinner table with them, who showed her how to hold a pen, did they encourage her to be left handed, did they dress her everyday as a human, how did this interest in boots come about. It is all so unatural for any chimpanzee to be raised in captivity let along in a human household. I am ashamed that humans took away her freedom she would have know as a free living chimpanzee. I am also very proud that CSNW does everything in their power to make her life the best it can be as a captive chimpanzee.
P.S. Jamie, good job of keeping those caregivers on their toes.
I love watching your videos. I really want to get involved in primate care (specifically Chimpanzee’s, Bonobo’s, Orangutans, or Gorilla’s) I live in Dayton, Ohio and the two closest Zoo’s(Cincinnati & Columbus) are both over an hour away. Is there any place you point me towards that I could seek out work that would some how get me involved in primate care. I just recently decided to change careers & I’m currently unemployed so I’ve really become obsessed with these wonderful animals. I really think I could help out if given the chance…
I don’t know of any sanctuaries in your area, however a good way to start out in the primate field is to look into internships at various sanctuaries. It’s a great way to test the waters of the field and to (maybe?) get your foot in the door if the opportunity arises. Check out the sanctuaries affiliated with NAPSA (North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance) to see what opportunities are available: http://www.primatesanctuaries.org/. The sanctuaries are listed here on the right side of the page: http://www.primatesanctuaries.org/sanctuaries/
When I see these chimps I see very strong, very agile humans who just look a little different.
This video gives me chills (in both a good in bad way) as I realize that chimps and all other non-human primates are considered “property” by most legal standards. There is much more going on here, and dare I be so bold as to say that each one has a soul that should not be subjected to unnecessary scientific experimentation. It gives me comfort to know the Che Elum 7 are so safe and so loved. If only the other 1,000 or more in the U.S. could be freed.
This video gives me chills (in both a good and bad way) as I realize that chimps and all other non-human primates are considered “property” by most legal standards. There is much more going on here, and dare I be so bold as to say that each one has a soul that should not be subjected to unnecessary scientific experimentation. It gives me comfort to know the Che Elum 7 are so safe and so loved. If only the other 1,000 or more in the U.S. could be freed.
Jackie ,That must of been fun,,, playing chase w/ Jamie in J.B.s boots,, as per requested by Jamie,, You are such a sweet caregiver Jackie,, and so attentive to Jamie’s needs,, the BOSS must be kept happy,,right,, she certainty does let you know what she wants,, and she knows you all will grant her requests.. thanks for the Jamie art video,,of her drawing on paper.that paper looks familiar, I truly hope she is enjoying the art supplies and chalk board,canvass frames,colored felt pens, etc,, I would love to know if Jody and Negra got to use those nesting materials as well as the big stuffed dog,,
Hi Rita! I can’t say I’ve seen anyone nesting with those particular items, but the chimps tend to love all of the things you send, so I’m sure they were put to good use at some point. 🙂