Chimpanzees can be melodramatic at times. When they display, become frightened, or get into spats, the hoots and screams can be deafening. It happens often enough that you become inured to the minor day to day scuffles and other assorted histrionics (looking at you, Annie and Mave). But you can tell when things become serious. And we could tell that someone was really mad.
The conflict began as the staff were walking up the driveway to the front gate. One second it was serene and peaceful, the next it was an absolute cacophony of screams. After about 30 seconds only a single voice remained, and as we entered we could see Jody walking through the playroom screaming – in anger, it seemed, but I would imagine also in shock and in pain. A closer look revealed a laceration across her right foot and a toe pointed in a decidedly wrong direction.
Chimps heal quickly and uneventfully from injuries that would leave me in the hospital. Serious lacerations often zip up within days without sutures and chimps may even take it upon themselves to straighten out a dislocated digit before anyone else can intervene. But injuries can also go undetected.
Thankfully, Jody is a cooperative patient. After isolating her in Front Room 1, we were able to use our new foot box along with portable x-ray equipment from Best Friends Mobile Veterinary Care (and a ton of grapes) to obtain awake x-rays. In doing so we discovered that, in addition to the dislocated third toe, she had a complete fracture of her fourth toe.
So along with pain medication and antibiotics, Jody was also booked for surgery. Dr. Erin and Dr. Erika treated Jody’s injuries this morning and conducted a full physical examination along with vaccinations. Jody was quickly moved back to recovery and before long was sitting up and even enjoying some snacks.
Examination of our closed circuit camera footage helped us understand how the injury occurred, but as is often the case, did not help explain why. The chimps are scattered throughout the playroom, many still in their nests from the night before. Foxie, standing in the loft, begins softly vocalizing and working up to a display. As her pant-hoots reach their crescendo, she charges across the bridge and attacks Burrito, who appears to be minding his own business on the opposite catwalk. Everyone leaps to their feet and begins to run and scream. Jody heads toward the conflict but tries to stay on the periphery. Soon, however, she is pulled across the bridge, her foot in Jamie’s mouth.
We’ve been primed in many ways to think of chimpanzee aggression in strategic terms – the epic struggles for dominance as beta males overthrow their aging leader or the clashes between communities as they vie for scarce resources. But aggression in captive chimpanzees will often leave you scratching your head as to its purpose. Why are Foxie and Burrito unscathed and seemingly still on good terms, while poor Jody bore the brunt of the violence? We can’t help but invent explanations for behavior – we’re wired to think that way. But so often we’re wrong. And the theories we develop can color our perceptions of future events in misleading ways. For example, if we didn’t have the closed circuit camera footage, I would have put money on Burrito playing some role in instigating that fight. Turns out the guy is just misunderstood.
Sometimes when we talk to colleagues at other sanctuaries, they will say things like “Oh, you have a biter in that group.” And sadly, we do. Many of them. Maybe all of them. In twelve years with the Cle Elum Seven, we’ve seen no consistent aggressors, no consistent victims, and no one that hasn’t had an ear, finger, or toe bitten during their time here – with the exception of Annie, suspiciously…
I wish we had a soap opera script explanation for these events, or that we could blame it on the weather or the moon, but if I’m being honest, they just happen sometimes. I’m just glad chimpanzees are tough.
So for the next few days Jody will rest up, take her medications, and eat lots of good food, and before long she will be back with her family. Jamie will probably welcome Jody’s return and tenderly groom the foot that she nearly chomped off. Nearby, Foxie and Burrito will play a quiet game of tickle as they sit in front of the sunny window where Foxie launched her attack. And life will go on for the Cle Elum Seven.
Jackie says
So very sorry to hear about Jody’s injury. Sending wishes and hugs for a speedy recovery. Thank you to the wonderful people that give such great care to these very special beings.
Jojo says
Poor Jody! Sending lots of love and hope for a speedy recovery! Xoxo
Jo Lathrop says
Well, you all responded quickly and well and these things happen in all lives, and they are no exception!! You all rock and I send love and hugs to you all…
Martine Simmons says
Poor baby. Prayers for fast healing.
Cindy peckham says
Sad this happened. Amazing how you all take matters in hand and fix things. Love to Jody.
Judy says
What a wonderful explanation of the inexplicable … So glad it wasn’t worse.. or more of them injured.. What a face Miss Jody.. We are all sending healing vibes and hoping for peace in the group … sometimes things just happen. Thank you ALL for being truly amazing.
Linda C says
Sooo bizarre….I mean, I know little Fox is crazy, but wth?! Maybe something happened early am, and this was a grudge match….
Well, Jo likes to fuss over others so let’s fuss over her, as she nests in supreme comfort…she deserves some love.
Thanks to the Drs. E for fixing her toes! If she loses too many more, she won’t be walking, climbing, and foraging!
Hope you’re all making like Jo and hunkered down, minding the rules! We’re getting a little more strict this week. I’ve been worried that we haven’t heard from Debi in a few days. Hope you’re all safe and well.
Jo Arroyo says
ouch! owie! Healing vibes heading your way, feel better Jody girl! Take advantage of the goodies! Annie’s my smart girl???
Sherry P says
Oh, my! Too much excitement to start the day – so NOT what y’all needed. Hope Miss Jody heals quickly and makes the most of the extra attention and goodies she’ll receive for a few days.
Lynn Gold says
Oh no.sorry to hear but Jody has such loving care& TLC& snacks.i worked in neurosurgery-so of course I enlarged the OR pix to see the details.i am retired but missed my calling to work with primates.God bless you all for your dedicated care of these amazing chimps.prayers for all of you.
Cara says
Gratitude for your wonderful care for these chimps!
Kathleen says
Seeing this headline made my heart sink. But Judy’s comment said it best — “What a wonderful explanation of the inexplicable”. Poor Den Mother Jody, hope she has a speedy and uneventful recovery. She’s just so dear. Thank goodness the footbox was installed. Whew! I should add that I let out a big sigh of relief when I read Burrito was alright, couldn’t bear to see him wounded again — maybe he is as innocent as he looks. ; ) All this right when it appeared as if things were back to normal and humming along, such is life I guess.
I am sending a heartfelt thank you to everyone who comes to the rescue and cares for the chimps. Such a dedicated group of people.
John Joseph O'Brien says
Get well soon, Jody.
Linda C says
So JB, the reaction from colleagues at other sanctuaries (” oh, you have a biter “). Does that mean that such a thing as a sanctuary without biters exists!?
J.B. says
I don’t know if there are any sanctuaries without biters, but there are certainly some groups without them. That doesn’t mean that no one ever gets bitten, but rather that they tend to settle their differences by other means first before things escalate.
The first group of chimps I ever worked with didn’t experience any bite wounds for years that I can recall until the matriarch passed away, at which point the males began working out their relative positions in the absence of her leadership and chomped on a finger or two.
The first sanctuary I worked at had some serious biters, including one male who was probably all of 100 pounds and a group of females that would only tolerate a certain socially inept male for so long before ganging up on him. Many hands, feet, and scrota were cleaned and sutured.
As a caregiver or sanctuary manager, trying to determine what level of injury is “acceptable” is nearly impossible. There are cases where chimps cannot be successfully integrated with anyone else because of the aggression they exhibit (Jody’s son Clay is an example) but beyond those rare cases, it’s really just a matter of balancing their need to live in a dynamic social group with their need for safety. And ultimately, that means making sure no one is being ganged up on.
Sandra Sharp says
Thanks for this insight – are there any blog posts on this site regarding Jody’s son Clay? I would be interested in knowing more about it.
J.B. says
https://www.savethechimps.org/chimps/clay/
Linda C says
Thanks. JB…I guess I couldn’t imagine a group without one, now I wish they were like that. Ha! “A certain socially inept male” being tolerated and then ganged up on…boy, if that doesn’t sound familiar…
Linda C says
Oh my gosh, JB, that’s so sad! I’m glad they don’t give up on him…he certainly is a big man, isn’t he?! And he has his mother’s dinosaur food grunts!
Betsy says
Thanks for the link JB, and the entire post, I learned a lot. What happened to Clay is tragic and inexcusable. I’m glad he’s found a place where the people really seem to love him, and are willing to meet him where he is, and also that Jodi has found the same. The cruelty of this world is so staggering, it’s good to be reminded of kindness.
Bonnie Stevens says
Jody: Get well. Poor baby.
Caroline says
Poor girl, I hope she recovers soon and is back with her family! Thanks for taking such good care of all of those beautiful animals! Love to you all ??????
C
Louise Manson says
Poor Jody. My prayers are being sent out for quick and uneventful healing. Love to Jody
Arlene and Michael says
How upsetting. Thank goodness you had such an amazing piece of equipment to x-ray her foot when she was awake so you could tell what was going on. Thank you to the doctors and all of you for the wonderful work you do. Healing thoughts and prayers go out to Jody.
Kathy Breipohl says
I am so very glad that Jody is doing well and recovering from this little spat and that you had many grapes on hand, I have learned so much reading your blog and how very complicated their social behavior can be, I am also very glad there were no other injuries, especially for Burrito. Rest up sweet Jody and heal fast. Sending good wishes to you all.
Mark B. says
This on top of everything else! Thanks, J. B. for the heartfelt report. You are all wonderful.
Elaine Reininger says
Just what you overworked caretakers and vets needed when all your volunteers and interns are not there to help with the other jobs like clean up, food prep. etc. Hope the patient recovers quickly
Julie Medrano says
Great explanation about the machinations of chimps!!
CeeCee says
Thanks J.B. for this report, even though it’s a upsetting incident, you still managed to crack me up a few times (calling out Annie twice 🙂
I wish I could have seen poor little Jody hold her foot in the box for an x-ray.
With my Animal rescue work, I feel it’s not as bad as it could be if they still want to have a treat, so the grapes are a good sign. Thanks for taking such wonderful care of sweet Jody.
Chris says
I hope by this time Jody is recovering well from her injury. I was so sorry to hear this but as Judy says what a great explanation of the inexplicable. In light of all the different dynamics of the two groups…which looks like they change from day to day…do you think you will ever try to integrate anyone again? I know you will probably never allow Burrito to mix with Willy B’s group and for good reason but what about Jamie…Wasn’t she getting along very well with everyone during her group visits? And especially with Willy B? Of course after this latest scuffle within her own group and she being the cause of Jody’s injury, you probably don’t even want to think about that right now.
Anyway, thank-you again for providing all the wonderful care for these 10 magnificent chimpanzees and especially now with such a limited staff.
Stay well and healthy..all of you!
J.B. says
At this point we don’t have any plans to reintroduce any of the original seven with the new three. We were planning to break ground on our expansion this spring, which would allow us to take in more chimps from the Waystation but that is on hold for now due to the epidemic. Still, we think the best plan for now is to try to integrate Willy B, Mave, and Honey B with other chimps once we expand. Of course, circumstances change, so we will regularly evaluate what is in their best interests!
Barbara H. says
Poor Jody what a sweet face. I learned a lot about chimps from this blog.
I hope Jody recovers quickly and life gets back to normal.