Honey B is anything but shy.
This bright, enigmatic chimp seemed to arrive at the sanctuary with one setting: investigate.
For example, Honey B constantly inspects human personnel for new cuts, scrapes, bruises, hangnails, freckles, accessories and even tattoos, which she then insists on eagerly grooming. Her first reaction to new volunteers is to spit water on them, measure their reaction, and then stare at them as if they were a peculiar piece of art in a museum. This not-so-warm welcome seems to make people feel a bit uneasy at first. To quote volunteer Becca’s reaction after meeting Honey B last fall, “I feel like she knows my SAT scores.”
Honey B tends to be the first chimpanzee to enter new areas after they have been cleaned and provisioned with enrichment materials, and she was the first to figure out the drinking fountains in her new home. Even when meeting new chimps, her strategy seemed built around a framework of testing boundaries and pushing buttons. Curiosity may proverbially kill felines but it somehow hasn’t gotten Honey B yet.
Her apparent rule that everything needs to be investigated in depth also applies to cameras and phones. While other chimps may be more curious about the reflective camera lens (like Willy B) or nervous about having their photo taken (like Mave), Honey B seems intent on somehow obtaining the camera. Her immediate reaction is to charge forward, get as close to the camera as possible, and ask the caregivers to let her groom the camera body. On rare occasions, she has asked me to drop a camera or phone in the food chute (which is not going to happen). We can only imagine what she would do with a camera, but it’s not impossible that she would actually attempt to take photographs with it. She’s learned how to clean by observing humans, so maybe the visual arts are next.
This tendency of hers to hover by the camera makes capturing portraits of her a challenge. Today, I got lucky. When I unlocked the wing of the building where Honey B and her two companions now reside, the three of them were sitting by the window in a beam of morning sunlight. I coincidentally had the camera by my side (armed with a groovy Canon lens that was generously donated by a supporter who saw it on our Wish List), making it a truly serendipitous moment. Honey B held still for a quick photo shoot as Mave lazily picked through her hair and groomed her shoulder. Perhaps I have Mave to thank for that whole moment.
Anyway, you’re all being treated to a rare portrait of Honey B as the cornerstone of today’s blog post. Enjoy.
I’m a pal of beautiful Honey B and I am curious as to how the chimps let you know they want you to get something for them or to show them something (cuts, scabs, etc.)
Chimps have various gestures and vocalizations that they can use flexibly to communicate that they want something. Burrito, for example, tells us that he wants to eat snow by simultaneously gazing out the window, pointing outside with his index finger, and making sharp “raspberry” sputters with his lips. Willy B has a habit of going straight to the food chute and holding his hand underneath so that we can see how badly he wants something, and he will clack his mouth and teeth together if we delay. Honey B tends to exaggerate her welcoming posture until she looks like she is stuck to the caging. She’ll stick her fingers through the mesh if she wants us to bring something closer, or she’ll stare intently at one of our body parts or accessories while making gentle puckers and smacks with her lips.
Maybe you could give her one of those disposable cameras and see what happens.
We’d love for her to have that experience but unfortunately cameras are not safe enrichment items for chimps. She’ll have to continue inspecting our cameras from a safe distance, and we’ll continue to think of ways to keep her sharp mind occupied!
Honey B has the most beautiful, clear& penetrating eyes.Almost like she is looking right thru you.wow!she is stunning!
One of her weirder behaviors is that she maintains eye contact with you even as you pass her food items while serving meals. There’s something strange about having her unwavering gaze fixed on you as she gently sets down a cucumber that she doesn’t want to eat right away.
Lol, did we learn nothing from Franz!? Cucumber is not appreciated! 😀
Wonderful learning more about Honey B. She is a beauty. While I only know Honey B through your photos, I’ve seen enough intense deadpan stares from her that I think I get where volunteer Becca was coming from! Honey B seems to have many similarities to Jamie only Honey B’s spitting water is far kinder than Jamie’s choice of toss! ; )
While I can think of some notable differences, I think it’s safe to say that Jamie and Honey B share some common traits! We’re very happy that Honey B has not yet thrown any… uh… debris.
It’s all so true about Honey B! Perfectly put! ?? her!
Thanks, Nancy!
Got to just love her, such a beautiful and smart girl. Kinda makes you wonder what her opinion of us really is. Thanks Anthony
As far as chimps go, Honey B definitely seems to have an appreciation for her human companions as well as her chimp friends. Thank you for following us, Marcie!
Honey B sounds like a doll and boy is she gorgeous.
She is certainly an amazing individual!
I love watching all the chimps. I love that Jamie and Honey are interested in the “operations” aspect of running their beloved sanctuary. ??
They’re honorary staff members! Fortunately, as retired individuals, they can take time off from supervising whenever they choose.
I’m wondering if maybe we could send in some old, cheaper cameras that you could give Honey B to see if she can figure out how to take pictures? I think I have an old digital one that I could send you. So she would be able to see the result of her photo on the screen. She is so smart, I really do think she could figure it out. 🙂
Hi Kristin! That’s kind of you, but unfortunately a functioning camera wouldn’t be suitable for chimpanzee enrichment. I’m comfortable allowing Honey B to “groom” my camera through the caging using a plastic tool (which aligns with our policy on protected contact between trained personnel and chimpanzees). I even helped her to depress the shutter button so she could take some photos of her own, which she stared at quizzically for some time. However, cameras have many small plastic, metal and glass components that could hurt chimps, so giving one to them as enrichment is not something we plan to do. We’ll just have to find other ways to occupy Honey B’s active mind. 🙂
Quote: For example, Honey B constantly inspects human personnel for new cuts, scrapes, bruises, hangnails, freckles, accessories and even tattoos, which she then insists on eagerly grooming.
Anthony: Excuse my ignorance. I though all care provided the chimps is
hands-off.
Hi Mark! That’s a good observation. At CSNW, humans never share space with chimpanzees (except for the rare occasions when a chimp is sedated for medical reasons). However, we do have a system that allows for protected contact between humans and chimps. Trained personnel (i.e., staff and experienced volunteers) can have very limited contact with the chimpanzees through the caging. No human fingers ever cross the barrier into the chimps’ space, and most interactions consist of chimps using lengths of plastic hose to groom caregivers from a safe distance. Building positive relationships with the chimps makes routine care easier and safer for the staff and less stressful for the chimps. Of course, we only interact when the chimpanzees want our company and they commonly choose to hang out with each other instead.
Yes, you guys are extremely cautious….the most the chimps can get through are their lips and a finger or two. I was astounded to see video of a zoo in Japan, where the chimps can get their whole hand/wrist theough the squares, which would allow them to grab and pull hands, clothing, etc.
Anthony: Thanks for the explanation!
I’ll forever & ever be astounded by Mother Nature & how fascinating chimpanzees are…I can’t seem to get enough of them, & seeing the beautiful photos everyday & hearing all the stories about their individual quirky behaviors just continues to feed my irresistible love for them…
Honey B sounds very intelligent. Some of the bog was quite a surprise. However,
since I have 2 beagles, some things that they do and how they act and respond fo
surprise me. Animals have a way of “communicating” to their care givers without
talking. Enjoyed the blog.