Today volunteer Amanda captured some interesting chimp behavior on her phone while watching volunteer Kailie serve lunch to the chimpanzees. Kailie had set a couple of pieces of yam within Jamie’s reach. As boss, Jamie has the unique privilege of being able to leave her food unattended and be reasonably sure that no one else will have the nerve to take it. Today Jamie wasn’t showing much interest in her yams, so Annie (who is at the very bottom of the dominance hierarchy) must have done some quick mental calculations and decided that Jamie might not be too upset if Annie took her yams. As you’ll see in the video, it turns out that Annie was right, but it was still a gutsy move, and it demonstrates just how much confidence Annie has developed since her early days at the sanctuary when she wouldn’t have dared risk upsetting the boss.
Incidentally, later in the meal Jamie got her own form of payback when she distracted Annie with a kiss to the forehead while she swiped some of her primate chow.
This is very touching. They are so special and you have given them a second chance to experience a life with family, friendship, trust and being happy.
Hi Cynthia! Jamie was gesturing to caregiver Kailie (offscreen) that she was ready for the next course. 🙂
I was going to ask the same question that Cynthia asked. In both instances, it looked as if Jamie looked and saw that both yam pieces were taken by Annie. Was Jamie more excited to get to the next course, it being more yummy and higher value to Jamie than the yam?
No matter what, I say way to go Annie, brave move. And to Jamie, well done evening out the stakes! All’s fair in love and sanctuary!
This is how Foxie behaved when I visited the sanctuary after she had been there a year. I brought her a stuffed chimp and she destroyed it and then put her troll doll on her back and left!
A-ha! So Jamie cleverly swiped some of Annie’s prized primate chow…thus demonstrating that, for Annie’s preceding slight-of-hand that there would be yamifications!
As usual Katelyn’s post gets today’s 10!!! Seems lately everyone’s post is getting a 10! YaY JoJo!!!