The Group of Seven have always intrigued me with each of their individual ways of eating. Some like to be upfront and center of every meal service. Others will grab their food and go.
This morning Negra wanted to take her banana to go onto Young’s Hill.
Almost immediately upon going onto Young’s Hill, she was instantly distracted by a passing train.
This is usually Negra’s M.O. She will almost always take her food to go. She will collect all her food and hold off on eating until she gets everything. Then she will use her hands, feet, mouth, you name it. Anything she can use to carry food to a location that is quiet and away from the majority of the crowd. As evident with this photo I took a few weeks ago during lunch time.
Missy, Foxie, and Jody will grab one item from the meal service, take it away to a quiet location to eat, then return for the next item being served.
Depending on the food, Annie varies her method almost every meal. Sometimes she stays near where the meal is being served to ensure she gets her share of the meal. Other times she will find a quiet location as well, as she did during lunch today to eat her beets.
Jamie and Burrito, on the other hand, are usually upfront and center most of the time. They usually won’t leave until they are served their chow or nighttime bags.
Jamie, at times, might follow Negra’s lead and save some of her meal to enjoy later. In this case, she needed a proper dining table to finish her sweet potatoes and nighttime bag of seeds, popcorn, and dried fruit.
Sometimes after a meal, Jamie will invite a caregiver to go for a walk around the hill. Today, after lunch, Jamie wanted to go for a walk around the hill. I obliged and joined her. However, instead of a walk, it was a sprint around the hill. I somehow was able to capture a photo mid-sprint.
This went on for some time. Up the hill. Down the hill. Then back up again. Then back down. Usually I can keep up with her. But with our extra preventive measures to ensure both the chimpanzees and humans safe from the current pandemic, I have slowed down considerably. I going to have to start running sprints on my own with a mask on to ensure I don’t get that “I’m disappointed in you” look like she gave me as we returned to the Chimp House again.
The stories you share with us about all the chimp’s individual habits & behaviors, is like nourishment to the soul…I can never get enough…I pray for the good health & well being of everyone at CSNW…You have no idea how much I long to do be able to “something”…Anything physical in hopes of helping to lesson your daily burdens making your days less stressful…
As of last night when my son went out for groceries he found most of the shelves stripped empty at two of our largest grocery chain stores…I’m so hoping you won’t be facing any difficulties in securing all the fresh food & supplies you need (without any interruptions) to continue to provide the very best for these ten magnificent chimpanzees…Warm friendly hugs to all…
I think Negra needs a nice basket she can hold in her hand to collect her lunch. Hmmm…….
So enjoyed hearing about the chimps dining preferences. I am wondering if Negra still loves her night bags. Always delighted me to see HRH Negra clapping for her bag before dinner was over. Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. She is just too much sitting at her green table sorting through her (nut bag?) booty. You did such an excellent photographing Jamie mid sprint, too bad you didn’t capture her giving you the stink-eye as you tried to keep up with her. I just love that woman.
Seriously, this made my day. Thank you!
These are great photos! I love seeing all of them so content, enjoying their food.( I especially love Jody’s wide eyed expression-she always make me smile! ) We have had a tough day here in California and your post helps. Thank you!
About the only good thing lately to fill my day in self isolation are YOUR daily blogs. I worry about the health of you caretakers and also about the chimps knowing they can catch this too. And where will you get FOOD to feed them. No caretakers to feed elephants at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand so they are starving to death. Just a matter of time when this will happen in all zoos, sanctuaries and animal shelter groups who have so many mouth’s to feed. Sad time for everyone.
There are monkeys as well, normally fed by tourists, going crazy there….anyone goes by on a scooter, they all swarm in that direction, like a flock of swallows…
Thank you so much for all the personal updates on the gang. Try not to get sad at thing you cannot change but do all you are doing for these that are so deserving. So glad you interact with them and make them feel special, plus good exercise for all. I bet they get a kick out of beating you in the race (LOL). Just think there was a time they must not have been so healthy. Thank you much, looking forward to more adventures.
What struck me the most is thier food security, made me tear up. How awesome is that. Chad you’d better get your game face on and stop messing around (???) run Chad run!