When I think of the chimp that spends the most time in the chimps’ 2 acre outdoor enclosure, I think of Jamie. On any given day, she’s busy walking, watching, inspecting, patrolling and sometimes even just taking in the views, all from Young’s Hill. And when the weather is right, she stays out late until the last bit of sunlight fades into darkness. So, it seems appropriate that I associate her with Young’s Hill.
Here’s a picture taken of Jamie last week on her solo trip around the hill.
But, as I walked out to meet Jamie for her first perimeter walk around Young’s Hill this morning (I, safely on the outside of the electric fences and her on the inside) almost all of the other chimps were already on the hill. Annie, Foxie and Burrito were already climbing to the top of Jamie’s Lookout at the uppermost part of the hill. Missy was busy running around and Jody was on the lookout for plants to forage.
When I saw the other chimps already on the hill this morning, it really dawned on me how much each of the chimpanzees at CSNW have changed throughout the past eight years. Each and every one of the chimps is growing more confident and adventurous as they choose to spend more and more time exploring their open air, outdoor enclosure.
And now, when I think about Young’s Hill, I think about Negra staying out late to forage on the wild plants on top of Young’s Hill. I think about Burrito climbing to the top of the highest structures and Annie and Foxie spending more and more time exploring on their own. I think of Missy’s acrobatic moves off of any and everything she can find and Jody’s never-ending search for wild plants to forage upon. Of course, I’ll continue to think about Jamie and her perimeter patrols, but I’m so glad to think of Young’s Hill and every one of the chimps now.
Annie on top of Jamie’s Lookout.
Foxie joined Annie on top of the tower.
And so did Burrito.
After looking around, the chimps started making their way back down the structure and back toward the building.
Once the girls made their way down the ladder, Burrito quickly followed.
Missy was a blur most of the time she was on the hill this morning, but I was able to catch her as she sat for a minute (more like a couple of seconds) on top of one of the structures.
Jody grabbed a bite from the spruce tree that JB planted on the hill (it was used as a Christmas tree a few years ago.)
Isn’t it great to see them “out and about”
Oh so delightful! Enjoyed each of these photos. Everyone looks so content, confident (even Burrito!) and happy to be outside doing their own thing. I guess you had a break in the rain, lucky chimps!
Question: Do any of them stay out longer these days? I remember a past post stating that even though they all bravely venture outside now they never stay very long. Wondering if this is changing too?
Hi Kathleen! The chimps are definitely still utilizing Young’s Hill each day. Jody still rushes out in the morning to sit near the raceway and look up toward the top of the hill as soon as the door is opened in the morning. Some mornings lately, it’s been cold enough to see her breath, but she still stays out. I think most of them are still venturing out, but maybe for shorter periods of time if it’s cooler or rainy. I think it’s nice to warm up in the Greenhouse or in the building before going out again. And Jamie hasn’t been staying out as late in the evenings lately, but that is mostly because it’s getting darker and cooler earlier now than mid summer.
I notice that one of the chimps pauses and turns, to see if the others are coming along. If that is right? Is it fair to say that as they have each developed and grown stronger and confident, so too has the band become more cohesive as a result of all the new experiences that they discovered and shared?
Hi Francoise. Great question! If I’m understanding you correctly, you’re wondering if the chimps grow closer to one another through shared experiences similar to what many humans experience when sharing an adventure or some sort of challenging experience together, for instance. I would agree with you, that time and experience (along with grooming and playing) help to build more cohesive bonds between the chimps. It’s not that they are all best friends all of the time, but I think by watching one another and having one another to go to for reassurance when feeling insecure or fearful in new situations is pretty crucial to building and maintaining friendships.
And yes, in the picture Foxie paused to turn and look toward Burrito, who was climbing down the ladder.