One of the first things I do after arriving at the chimp house is to walk around the various enclosures to see where all of the chimpanzees are at and to greet them. Sometimes the chimps are still in their blanket nests that they made the previous night. Sometimes, they are wide awake; chasing one another along the upstairs catwalk or through the Front Rooms. At other times, they may be lined up along the caging to give morning kisses, head nods (a typical chimpanzee greeting) or to elicit games of chase with staff and volunteer caregivers.
This morning, Jamie was the first one I saw in the Playroom area of their home. I gave her a couple of quick head nods, which she reciprocated before gesturing to see my shoes. Burrito sat down next to her and slapped the floor a few times to elicit a quick game of chase. Foxie was busy getting drinks from the fountain, while holding onto her dora doll. Jody came up to where I was standing and extended her lips through the caging to offer me a kiss on the back of my hand. Annie and Missy were busy playing chase with one another. I looked into the pile of blankets on the catwalk where Negra typically makes her nightly nest, but it was empty. So, I went out to the Greenhouse portion of their home and found her on the top platform (another favorite spot of hers).
I gave her a quick verbal “Good morning Neggie.” She turned around to look at me momentarily before going back to what she was doing.
Oh, how I love this lady. I’ll take her quick glance toward me as a morning greeting and be forever thankful.
And, I just couldn’t resist sharing the following photos on today’s blog, as well. I think you’ll understand why when you see them. They were taken during this morning’s breakfast forage in the Greenhouse.
Annie
Burrito
Foxie
Jody
Precious morning rituals…thanks for a glimpse “inside”! So sweet!
Great post. How I love these sweet souls!
Great post – I also love hearing about the routines. And Negra – what a doll … Thank you!
What a wonderful way to start a day! The photos of Negra in her ‘I Love You’ blanket are so funny. I love Madame Negra. Annie looks so strong and healthy and beautiful in that photo, great shot! Looks as if everyone had a delicious breakfast!
Those are precious photos – thanks for sharing
I, too, thought Annie looked especially strong and healthy in the above photo. I wonder why Annie is the lowest ranked chimpanzee. From a chimp’s perspective is she more anxious, less clever, less beautiful? Is it clear to caregivers why Annie is the low woman on the totem pole?
Great questions Cheryl! When Annie first arrived at the sanctuary, she was very anxious, often times becoming upset whenever she was separated from her best friend, Missy or sometimes for no apparent reason at all. Today, that is not the case and we often see her on Young’s Hill by herself! She has become quite the confident chimp, even having the confidence to grab dropped or discarded food at meals, while the other chimps are watching. There have even been times when a higher ranking individual has tried to take her food and she has not complied!
And honestly, understanding chimpanzee hierarchy can be quite the challenge as it is often a very complex matter. There are a lot of factors at play, including physical strength, intelligence, confidence, and history to name a few. Add into the mix each individual’s personality and the fact that these are captive chimpanzees and the complexity intensifies. JB wrote a great blog regarding the hierarchy of the CSNW chimps that I think sums it up. Hope this helps!
Did the chimpanzees have a heirarchy structure when they were imprisoned in the lab prior to coming to CSNW? Was such a thing possible?
We were told that Negra was dominant in the lab setting and to watch out for Jamie, because she would create a distraction and then steal everyone’s fruit.