My training as a new staff caregiver at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest has many dimensions. It consists of learning many safety and cleaning protocols, as well as becoming familiar with the daily routine. When I am not doing safety checks, cleaning enclosures, or practicing moving doors, I get a chance to learn more about the chimpanzees’ personalities. This post will be the first of 7, as I share my first impressions of each chimpanzee as an individual.
Today’s post is about Missy. One of the very first things I learned about Missy is what a good friend to the other chimpanzees she is. She is always ready and willing to support her companions in whatever cause they deem worthy of their attention. Sometimes Jamie chooses that she does not want Young’s Hill to be closed in the evening. Missy is often ready to endorse Jamie’s decision. She will take shifts with the boss to stand guard at the hydraulic door so that it cannot be moved. Caregivers must wait patiently until Jamie calls off her commands and decides to build her nest for the evening.
I truly admire Missy’s independent and supportive qualities.
