For chimpanzees, true happiness is found most often in moments of anticipation. I love watching them play as they wait in expectation of a good meal or an exciting treat.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.
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This is just wonderful!! So great to see them playing like that – and filled with anticipation for something good coming their way. Thanks for filming this!!
I was wondering how they are doing with the snow and colder temperatures – do they look outside, seem interested in going outside or is it too cold for them?
Also wondering about nighttime – is it heated where they sleep? Love these seven precious beings SO much and want to learn all I can about them! Thank you for your blog and THANK YOU for loving them !!!! <3 <3 <3
Hi Donna – The chimps still go outside when it is very cold but they don’t like to walk in deep snow so our recent snowfall has limited their interest in going too far out onto Young’s Hill. They will still go out to grab a handful of snow to eat, however. The building is kept at 70 degrees and has heated floors and catwalks so anywhere they choose to make a nest will be nice and cozy.
I love watching these wonderful creatures! Thank you so much!
They are just so much fun to watch and you guys do a GR8 job filming and letting us in on their world!! Thanks so much!! Their play is uninhibited and delightful!! just love it!
Oooohhhh! This was so much fun to watch! Burrito and Annie — so cute, I love their hand game but the running in circles was the best! This is the best “Chimps Eye View” with everyone gathered together watching and waiting for you to prepare their snow room. And I almost cried watching Missy and Jody playing ring around Annie — the way Annie keeps placing her hand/arm on her BFF Missy every time she goes round. So endearing. Jody and Annie’s embrace melted my heart. I wish the video didn’t have to end.
This was the very best J.B., thank you. How joyous knowing they are so happy!
This was absolutely awseome, Jeeb.
As I was watching Burrito play, I can’t imagine how he doesn’t get constantly bludgeoned to death about the head and shoulders by the other chimps with his persistent calls to play. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it mentioned by anyone, but does Burrito pester his other chimpmates to constantly play? Or is that hallowed event saved only for staff?
Cheers. ????????????
Hi Carla – Burrito often plays with the other chimps – his most frequent playmates are Foxie and Jody.
Thanks so much for your reply, but you missed my verb: pestered. I know he plays quite frequently with others, but several blog topics have recently been about how he bugs some staff members for playtime, yet I don’t ever remember seeing anyone mention how he needs to always pester other chimps for playtime. With his playful nature, to me, I’d think the other chimps would need to beat him off with a stick just for some alone time; like B would always, always be wanting to play. Is there ever a time he’s always bugging them to play? What does he do if he’s rebuffed? Does he get depressed or just move on to someone else for a playmate? I know we only get a few facets of their personalities within specific time frames, so that’s what spurred this line of thought.
Thanks again. So jealous of your snow!! ??????
The other chimps are usually willing to play with him, and if not he takes the hint. Sometimes if they don’t want to play they might want to groom instead, so he’ll turn it into a gently playful grooming session.
I’s too old to say this, but OMG. This was just so much fun. I have to say it’s the best I’ve seen in revealing one facet of their behavior. Obviously they are not having a shouting match or displaying happening. It’s quiet fun, affection, and lost in thought, too. Is that Negra perched on the window sill just quietly watching? And I couldn’t stop laughing at Jamie “grooming” the camera. Somehow I suspect he knows quite well that it’s not grooming but more teasing, or am I wrong? At least, if grooming reflects friendship then he obviously doesn’t mind the camera’s presence! And in the middle of it all, a quick embrace. Like I say, if heaven exists, there is a special place for the chimps and for all of you.
Carla, you can come get the snow anytime you want! 🙂
Hi Francoise – That is Jamie that is perched at the door in the middle of the video. You’re right that she is not grooming the camera per se. I guess you could call it investigatory or manipulatory behavior. But it’s similar to what she does when she is grooming us with a tool. She certainly didn’t mind the camera in this instance, but sometimes she makes it clear that she is in no mood for the paparazzi and we must obey or risk the consequences…
This is absolutely wonderful. Thank you JB. I love Jody and Annie at the end of the video, looks like they are sharing a secret!