Many of you may remember this pretty fantastic video of an example of quintessential Jamie enrichment (taken last December):
Jamie loves a project to work on. She likes things she can investigate, take apart and reassemble just the way she wants. She likes things with pockets, compartments and zippers.
We love setting up these special little projects for her and and we could use your help designing more of them. Diana added this Folio to our Amazon wish list as an example of the something we would like to get her.
We also think she would like a used briefcase or messenger bag. If you want to help enrich The Boss, feel free to search your closet or local consignment store for these type of items.
One of the challenges we face when coming up with new enrichment for the chimps is determining if something is safe for them to actually have. Sure Jamie would LOVE to have a real cordless drill, but we also have to think of all the ramifications of her actually wielding such power.
Besides the obvious potential weapon and definite ruin of the building aspects of the drill, we have to consider things like batteries. After the chimps investigate their enrichment, they often try to break their new objects using any means possible. If Jamie did get her hands on a drill, we would never want to see one of the chimps get hurt from biting into a battery.
A long story short, we have a strict list of enrichment guidelines, so please check out this link before you decide to send Jamie a present. We are always happy to help guide your quest for the right item. Feel free to send me an email ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
If you choose to accept this mission, you can send her package to:
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
PO Box 952
Cle Elum, WA 98922
Happy searching!
Note taken! (Pun intended 🙂 )
I’m pretty sure I have a few things like this sitting around that I got as freebies on a study abroad trip or a conference. I’ll try to track them down and send them along!\
I’m glad you posted this, because I was wondering yesterday whether Jamie has/you think she would be interested in Frans’ “Family Album” book of photographs?
Getting “Jamie things” should be fun! 😀
Sounds like you’re on the perfect path! She would love that book!
Thanks for the reply, Anna (for both). The book is on its way; I’ll preview before I send it. Will also go shopping for a new bag/briefcase, and give the Boss my old one, along with whatever mini portfolios I have hanging around).
Your guidelines answer a question that I have had about the chimps’ diet: no meat, dairy or eggs. In the wild, are chimps vegetarian? I had thought (probably incorrectly) from nature docs that chimps are omnivorous. Thanks! Also, I love your postings & photos & have learned so much.
Chimps will eat some insects and meat in the wild, it’s true. Some groups do hunt and eat small monkeys, but their diets are primarily plant based. They can also get protein from nuts and seeds, just like humans 🙂
That said, didn’t you guys post recently that you started bringing them one hard boiled egg a week, and that they loved them? (Neggie especially?)
They do love them! The eggs come from my rescued chickens so we are sure they are cruelty free 🙂
Oooh, I love this post !
I’m going to start looking at everything around me differently. And wondering if Jamie would like it ??
Jamie is a leftie! Amazing to see how dexterous she is, and how carefully she writes.
Anything for Jamie. For a briefcase/portfolio, is it a danger to have metal or heavy-duty plastic buckles or shoulder straps that can be removed with similar clasps? And I see Jamie using a crayon, so I Googled to check on brands that are non toxic and man was that scary! Can I send some Rose Art Crayons (noted as Certified non-toxic) or is there a specific brand you prefer? I am sure I can find something in the deep recesses of my studio for Jamie and/or supplement with some new goods too.
A mind is terrible thing to waste.
Hi Kathleen! Those clasps/buckles sound OK from your description. The crayons are good too. We actually have a lot of art supplies in stock right now, so I wouldn’t go out of your way to buy more, but you are always welcome to send them if you already have some in hand 🙂
Thanks for loving The Boss!
I’m glad you asked that, Kathleen! I’m sending on my old briefcase/sidebag, and it has zippers and pouches galore, along with two buckles on the front flaps!