Nearly ten years ago, we met these chimpanzees in the windowless basement of a laboratory where they had lived for decades, often alone. Each walk around Young’s Hill still feels like a small miracle.
Archives for October 2017
Turkey feathers for Jamie
Enrichment comes in many forms…
The many uses of enrichment
The chimps are not known for being gentle with the enrichment they receive. Many of the toys they get each day have a primary use (to be examined and played with) and a secondary use (to be destroyed by any means possible). I imagine there’s something pretty enjoyable about making a huge pile of fun destruction and then have housekeeping come in every morning so you can do it all over again.
Happy Birthday, Vicki!
We are sending birthday wishes to a very special person today.
Happy Birthday to Vicki Fagerlee, one of our favorite visitors, from all the chimps (and your loving family)!
Thanks to Vicki’s (human) family, Jim, Kim, and family for sponsoring the day in her honor!
May you take some time to rest, like Annie:
play, like Burrito:
spend some time with a loved one, like Foxie and Jamie:
enjoy a treat (or three), like Jody:
have an adventure, like Missy:
and end your day as comfortably as you began it, like Negra:
A greeting from Jody
With her earnest eyes and amazing drooped lip, Jody gives the best greetings!
Are you a Morning Person?
Personally I love the mornings, however I know many people who are not. The chimps have preferences also! When I walk into the chimp house in the morning I can often find Negra in bed, Missy & Annie playing, Foxie running around, Burrito fully charged for the day, Jamie waiting to instruct us to put boots on, and Jody may or may not still be in bed. Today I walked into the chimp house to find Foxie and Burrito happily wrestling and tickling each other.
Think Fast!
I thought I would share what to me is a funny story. The chimps were MIA today (not literally). I took it as they really just didn’t want their photos taken today. So much so that when I was walking around the chimp house trying to get photos for a blog Jamie played a prank on me. I was by the playroom and I had finally found a chimp (Annie) sitting still long enough to get a photo… When all of a sudden everything goes black! A blanket had been thrown on top of my head. I backed away and pulled the blanket off my head, and I looked up to find Jamie staring at me. I took a hint and got lost for a while. Later, I heard Jamie coughing and offered her a paper towel which pleased her. She even took the paper towel with her on our walk!
Jamie holding her towel on Young’s Hill:
I did manage to snap these photos…
Jody relaxing in the greenhouse:
Missy grooming Burrito:
