The other day, after the PRT session that Elizabeth filmed, Jamie and I followed a typical post-PRT routine. Because I had spent the last fifteen minutes requesting that she do things, it was her turn to request that I do something (I’m pretty sure that Jamie believes it is ALWAYS time for the humans to do something for her, but I digress). So I put on her latest favorite pair of boots, we did a perimeter walk, and afterward we settled in for a grooming session in the greenhouse.
Jamie is easily the most dexterous chimpanzee I’ve ever known, and she’s a master at using tools. Her fine-motor ability is really quite impressive. Just watch this video of Jamie giving J.B. a “manicure” and read this story about her tool-altering skills and forethought.
It was just Jamie in the greenhouse, grooming my fingers and the boots, when Annie came over with a tool of her own.
For the first several years of Annie’s sanctuary life, she didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to the humans – not because she wasn’t interested in us, but, I think, because she was a ball of anxiety, and she didn’t want to over-step her place in the social world of chimpanzees and humans. We have written many times on the blog about Annie’s ever-growing confidence in the last few years (for example, this touching post from Elizabeth).
We’ve witnessed all of the chimpanzees trying new things over the last nine+ years at the sanctuary. We’ve gotten to know them so well that when they do something new, it stands out. You may already be familiar with “Fake Neggie” – a nickname for Missy when she is adopting Negra’s quintessential blanket-over-head nesting style.
You may not know that there was a time a few years ago when Negra decided troll dolls were her thing too, carrying one with her from bed to meals to adventures on Young’s Hill.
It lasted for a few weeks, then the fad seemed to pass for Negra and she’s been mostly troll-less ever since, leaving the doll obsession to Foxie.
Jody is sometimes seen with troll dolls, and Annie tries them out once in a while too.
Imitation is an important part of observing and learning. J.B. wrote a blog post back in 2012 about how copying the behavior of others shouldn’t be dismissed as somehow intellectually unimpressive. It’s worth the read.
When Annie confidently walked towards me with her rather blunt tool and pushed it out through the caging to groom the boot I was wearing, my smile could not have been any bigger. She was clumsy and awkward with the over-sized tool she had chosen, but she gave it a go, even with boss Jamie sitting right there to watch.
Annie didn’t stay long, and I don’t think she had any kind of magical insight about why Jamie spends so much time engaging in this behavior.
To have an interesting and full life and to get a better idea of who you are, you have to try new things – even things you aren’t sure you will be good at doing. Annie seems to know this now. She’s 100% signed up for this sanctuary life, and I have no doubt she and her chimpanzee companions will continue to try new things, figuring out more about themselves and delighting and surprising us along the way.
Happy Birthday Laurel! Love these pics. Love you.
Love the squeaks
Awesome video! Many thanks.
Beautiful post Diana and thank you!! Hugs and love to you all….
Your last paragraph is so touching. Chimpanzee Sanctuary certainly gives each chimp “an interesting and full life”. Thank you for giving these magnificent chimp people the time and loving support so they could “get a better idea of who they are”. That is no small task. And I will always be astounded by beautiful Annie and her courage. So cool she ventured over to groom your boots, love that photo. We have a freezing cold day here and clicking on each of the links in your post was the perfect way to spend my afternoon!
Yes, I have watched the video more times than I can count and each time it brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for todays breakdown Diana and the mention how plates and party glasses tip off The Seven that everything is special. (I believe this is the same for us humans!) I had no idea what Missy was absconding with yesterday and now I know! But it brought tears to my eyes to see Missy sitting peacefully enjoying every bite. Negra with her private stash of rolls, Jody smiling at her Pineapple Crown, and Jamie asleep surrounded by everything she cherishes is touching beyond words. Knowing you care for them all so deeply is heartwarming, and it is your love and care and attention to every little detail that makes me need to grab that tissue and wipe my eyes. You have created such a lovely home for them all and it shows on their faces in these photos.
Thank YOU, all of you! You are amazing.
The chimps’ comfort in sanctuary life will the newcomers well. Something to look forward to!
It’s heartwarming to see the care and thought that goes into everything you do for these very special beings. Wishing a new year filled with love, joy and good health to the chimps and all the wonderful people that take care of them.
Happy Birthday Sharon!! This is a lovely present Matt! Love from Northern Ireland ??????
Thanks, Jeani!