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Hitching a lift

October 28, 2015 by Katelyn

As autumn transitions into steadily colder and darker days, the chimpanzees (even Negra!) have been extra busy on Young’s Hill. And thanks to the Armstrong family, with a new structure to explore, and new dolls to explore with, Foxie took her current favorite troll doll along to check things out. And JB got some ridiculously adorable photos!

One of Foxie’s most endearing habits is how she carries her dolls on her back. Chimpanzee mamas are highly invested in raising and nurturing their children. The bond they share is the same we experience with our human children. They carry their infants for about the first six months of their lives and then as the babies become strong enough to grasp for extended periods, they begin to ride around on their mother’s back. Chimpanzee children are highly dependent on their mothers and even as they grow and become more independent they remain in close contact for the first several years of their lives.

Foxie’s four children were all taken from her during her years in biomedical research and it’s emotionally appealing to think that she carries the dolls on her back with her children in mind. But we can never know what she’s truly thinking and it may just be a natural and effective way of carrying her beloved dolls with her when she’s on the go. Whatever the reason, though bittersweet, it never fails to warm our hearts and I think it’s safe to say, hers as well. And that’s what matters most.

Foxie and troll, on the go:

web_Foxie_walk_troll_on_back_bamboo_YH_jb_IMG_0079

web_Foxie_walk_troll_on_back_YH_jb_IMG_0086

web_Foxie_walk_troll_on_back_YH_jb_IMG_0084

web_Foxie_troll_hair_on_back_YH_jb_IMG_0023

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dalyce Kowalski says

    October 28, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    Very adorable! ????

  2. Beverly says

    October 28, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    Are the able to breed at this time of freedom?

    • Katelyn says

      October 28, 2015 at 8:56 pm

      Hi Beverly, thanks for your question! Burrito has had a vasectomy which is common practice for accredited sanctuaries. We would love for the chimpanzee mothers to be able to raise their own children, but with hundreds of chimpanzees still in labs waiting for a space in sanctuary to retire to, we feel it would be irresponsible to not only take a much needed space, but to intentionally create a situation where another chimpanzee was subjected to a lifetime of captivity. We definitely understand the emotional appeal though and wish things had been different for our chimp moms and their children.

  3. Maria Swans says

    October 28, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    I want to think she is thinking about the dolls as her children if it gives her peace.

  4. Maria Swans says

    October 28, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    Love she and the other chimps are living happy and peaceful lives now.

  5. Kathleen says

    October 28, 2015 at 8:04 pm

    My heart is warmed looking at these photos. And like you said Katelyn, I hope those silly trolls warm Foxie’s heart too.

  6. Joseph Garza says

    October 28, 2015 at 9:13 pm

    Katelyn,
    As usual you capture the essence of who these wonderful creatures are and share it so eloquently. thank you.

  7. Arlene and Michael says

    October 28, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    We do not know the true reason why Foxie chooses to carry the troll dolls on her back but it seems to make her content to do so and that is what is important. They have choices now. Sweet pictures.

  8. Francoise says

    October 29, 2015 at 7:31 am

    They have choices and the freedom to carry them through. That is sanctuary.

  9. Julie says

    October 29, 2015 at 7:59 am

    The first two pictures made me smile immediately: looks like Foxie is going for the hair extensions effect. She is so cool, no matter what she does!!

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Cle Elum, WA 98922
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509-699-0728
501c3 registered charity
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