One of things that you learn pretty quickly about the unique experience of working as a chimpanzee caregiver is that flexibility is indispensable. There is a daily routine, of course, but whenever you are working with living beings with distinct personalities and preferences there is always the possibility that someone will want something else, something different from the normal. Accommodating the needs and wants of seven different chimpanzees all at the same time can be a challenge and it requires a certain adaptability!
In addition to taking the needs of the chimpanzees into consideration, environmental circumstances can also contribute to a fast paced, ever changing work setting. Sometimes weather helps to determine the course of the day or, on occasion, we find ourselves with unexpected visitors to the sanctuary. For example, today we assisted in a relocation program for a friendly neighborhood frog during afternoon cleaning.
All of which is to say that today offered us plenty of opportunity to practice creative care-giving but, as a result, provided little inspiration for a blog post. In a flash at lunchtime I decided to capture the chimpanzees as they dined in the greenhouse as the weather and lighting were quite captivating and lunch is my favorite meal of the day. Some days you just have to improvise!
Jamie eating the end of a bell pepper:
Annie pausing for a moment during her potato:
Burrito eating his potato:
Jody enjoying her potato at leisure in the front rooms:
Missy eating a bell pepper:
Foxie enjoying chow:
Negra taking her chow to go:
Later, as the afternoon became quite muggy, Katelyn served some carrot juice ice cubes as a refreshing surprise.
Love seeing the chimps. They looked like they enjoyed their lunch.
Did Jamie through the frog out of the enclosure?
I believe you found wonderful inspiration for this blog post Lisa. Delightful, and the carrot juice ice cubes sound yummy and refreshing! Any post, planned or off the cuff, about the chimps is always appreciated and enjoyed. Thanks for this one with so many great photos.
PS: What did the chimps think of the frog — did they see it? Was it in their enclosure? How exciting. ; )
Glad everyone’s doing well. Here’s an idea, how about carrots soaked in pineapple juice? Or pineapple juice cubes? The first suggestion is actually something an aquarium down here in Florida fixed as a treat for a resident manatee.
I’ve been wanting to ask something, too. I read a few books by folks who either study or or are caregivers of chimps/ apes, notably one by Fraanz de Wall. They mention that often, the people who work with apes have interesting dreams about them.
Is this true of the staff there at the sanctuary? If so, you should definitely share some of them on this blog.
I’d love to hear them. Seems like something deep in our minds wants to connect with our cousins. I can only wonder what that could mean.
Frozen carrot cubes…sounds yummy. Can the chimps have popcorn by any chance? Without the butter and salt of course! 🙂