The day after Jamieween I happened upon everyone but Jamie surrounding the remains of the great Jamieween pumpkin. (If you’re new to the blog, Jamieween is what we call Halloween here at the sanctuary as it’s also the day we celebrate boss lady, Jamie’s, honorary birthday). It’s amazing how far one ginormous pumpkin can go. And even more amazing that the chimpanzees crowded around said ginormous pumpkin giving each other turns at sticking their heads in for ginormous bites of it with relatively few kerfuffles. Though as you will see, a certain rather small chimpanzee woman seemed to be pulling every trick in the chimpanzee communication book to wind up with the pumpkin a lot more often than everyone else. Maybe the most amazing thing is “How much pumpkin can one tiny chimpanzee hold?”
And if you’re wondering where the boss was in all of this, she was actually sitting calmly and watching from afar. See, the ironic (and now much anticipated) thing about Jamieween is that Jamie isn’t always super interested in her Jamieween pumpkin because she seems to have deemed other treats a higher priority. But that makes Jody (who for the last three (?) years running has made it her mission to heist the pumpkin as fast as she can, and eventually six other chimpanzees, extremely happy.
Foxie wound up with it first and as you can see from her smile (note bottom teeth only!) she is over the moon about it:
Foxie did a lot of whimpering and asking permission from her good friend, Jody, to keep the pumpkin for awhile which seemed to pay off as Jody was extra patient waiting her turn:
as Foxie ate…
and ate…
and ate…
But Jody eventually could wait no longer and dove right in:
Notice Annie in the background waiting to make her move. She was getting pretty impatient, but finally saw her chance.
Once Annie got ahold of the pumpkin she climbed to the top of the greenhouse with it which Jody wasn’t entirely pleased about. Missy swung up to check things out and with much pleading from Annie (as Missy is more dominant than she is) she kindly allowed Annie to keep it. In the end, everyone got to share in the prize and Queen Negra wound up claiming the last chunk for herself.
Bonus photos of the day!
Negra enjoying breakfast in bed this morning:
Watching all those other foolish chimpanzees racing off onto the hill where it’s cold and there’s no breakfast:
Jamie supervising one of the gentleman painting her home and giving her nod of approval:
And dearest Foxie napping this afternoon:
This must have been a sight to see! Jody’s triumphant face as she nabs the pumpkin is wonderful to see, every year! Foxie’s “Be friends with everyone” strategy pays off!
Finally, I’ve been thinking, as you do the renovations, that the guys working on the place must think, “Well, this is one for the story books!” Can’t say that they often work under a chimp’s direction!
Hi Linda,
You know, we’ve been so touched by the genuine care and interest all the construction workers have shown. Granted, it’s a unique experience, but we hear again and again how honored they feel to be expanding the chimps’ home and their interest in learning about them. It’s really wonderful.
I’m glad to know how lucky they are to have the experience, close up! Though I’m sure it’s always more than a bit frightening the first time “the Boss” comes flying toward you and the window…probably the moment you pray that that glass truly is chimp-proof!
Ah, these pictures are as beautiful as they are endearing. I much prefer these (considerably) higher primates’ Pumpkin
Politics to the politics indulged in at the current moment by American human primates.
Tobin, I totally agree with you. I’m making a mandate, everyone must follow the CSNW blog. In doing so, Homo sapiens would learn a great deal, gain much needed compassion and empathy, and we would be a better species if we did! : )
Wonderful play by play on the Pumpkin Caper. Smiling Foxie made me smile. I see Mr. B gazing at the pumpkin in one photo, did the girls allow him to get a shot at it? I sure hope so, we all know how much Burrito loves his food. (Thanks for the Bonus Photos too!)
Kathleen, Burrito was surprisingly cool and collected and took the approach of just following the pumpkin around waiting for a chance to snag some! In the end, everyone wound up with a few pieces at least!
I’m glad you asked, Kathleen, because I also saw him sitting there and peering! Good to know our bottomless pit got some leftover pumpkin, too! Sometimes leftovers are the best!
That 5th photo down is priceless and made me laugh. “Ok, enough is enough, you had your turn) they seem to be saying. Love, love, love this series of photos.