Volunteer caregiver-in-training Liz and I were walking around Young’s Hill with one of Jamie’s favorite boots not long ago. When we rounded the last corner of the hill, on our way back to give Jamie the boot, Liz spotted a patch of mud and decided to stick the sole of the boot in the mud “To put a little more adventure on it.” As soon as we went inside, we headed straight for where Jamie was so that she could have some time inspecting and grooming the boot.
Ever since that day, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. We’ll never really know why it is that Jamie insists that volunteers and staff walk around the outside of the Young’s Hill fence (always wearing or carrying a boot or two), while she patrols from inside the fence. Perhaps it’s because it’s just more fun to have company come along, or maybe she feels that she is “leading” the patrol if there is someone else with her. But, maybe it’s because she wants to have a little piece of “adventure” from the other side of the fence; her bit of freedom from the other side.
Whatever the reason may be, we are always happy to join her on her walks around Young’s Hill. The photos are from Jamie’s third walk around the hill today.
Here is what the boot looked like after the first part of the walk.
This the boot after the entire way around Young’s Hill with plenty of adventure on it.
Jamie just as I was presenting her the muddy boot.
I want to see what the boot looked like after Jamie finished with it! 🙂
Sorry I don’t have any “after” photos Amy. Jamie likes to groom the boot from the other side of the caging once we have returned from the walk around Young’s Hill. Then before closing up for the night, she usually asks us for them. So, we give them to her through a shoot and she continues to groom them and sometimes even brings them into her blanket nest at night.
Interesting!
Do you have any idea what the chimps make of the separation between them and the human caregivers ?
Great question Lorraine, but impossible to know for sure and I think it is different for each of the chimpanzees. Diana wrote a great blog post titled “Captivity” on January 24, 2013 that may help answer your question.
How did she react to the muddy boot?
Thanks for the question Diane D! Jamie is usually quite interested to see what is on her boots once we present them to her. She usually grooms them with her finger or a tool and usually smells whatever it is she has picked off of the boot.
I wish we could understand what the chimpanzees think about the separation between them and their caregivers but I guess we will never know.
I know their minds are active and rich with thoughts and ideas. Wouldn’t it be interesting to understand them more fully.
Maybe since Jamie lived her yearly years around people the boot makes her feel more connected and closer to her caregivers. Perhaps it gives her comfort, like being near the one who wore the boot? Maybe it isn’t the boots she really loves but the people who wear them. I guess we will know. But I know one thing, when Jamie walks Young’s Hill she has the sweetest smile on her face and looks oh so content! So happy she has all of you to share your “adventures” with. Jamie is amazing.
Gosh, Jamie looks so healthy and strong!