I know you are not here to get yet-another take on the current state of the strange and unprecedented (most over-used word for 2020?) times we are living in or to add to your own personal stress.
Just like so many other people, this pandemic can be rather all-consuming for me too.
Every day, I do recognize that I’m so lucky to have a job. And not just a job, but a job where most of those I interact with (the non-humans) are not consumed by daily death tolls or endless graphs showing morbid peaks.
This week, however, the chimpanzee sanctuary has faced additional stresses. Foxie has been lethargic and hasn’t been eating as much as she normally does and Jamie had a recurrence of an old abscess (I won’t go into details right now, but you can read a bit about it here). All the while we are still closely monitoring Jody’s healing foot. Needless to say, we’ve been constantly in contact with Dr. Erin and consumed with taking temperatures and comparing notes about every possible symptom we see.
Before moving on, I will reassure you that all three of them are doing fine today!
Jody’s foot is looking good and I can hear her ripping up blankets for her nest right now. Foxie is still tired but was quite active today and seems to be catching on that we will sneak her any food she wants – Kelsi just gave her a banana well after dining hours were over. Jamie’s abscess is draining and she is feeling well enough to keep me late to join her on walks around the hill.
Here’s a photo I just took on our walk before sitting down to write this:
I have taken dozens and dozens of photos that look exactly like the one above and I could have taken hundreds over the years. Jamie is keen on rituals that she herself invents.
They say that maintaining rituals and routines helps to cope with uncertainty and stress. I’m personally not great at following that sage wisdom for myself and have found myself unraveling some this week. My own poor coping skills aside, we do have a lot of routines and rituals here at the sanctuary that I enjoy.
Anthony’s post How To Speak CSNW explained a few of them, like “going on a walk” (as above) and the serving of “night bags” to the chimpanzees at the end of the day.
Night bags are a routine that all of the chimpanzees appreciate, and I managed to get a few photos of the chimps enjoying their night bags tonight while I was spot-cleaning the playroom.
Here’s a close up of Missy’s hand where you can see the current night bag mix spilled out on the windowsill so she can pick through it and eat her favorite bits first.
This one shows Jody in the background in “phase one” of eating her night bag:
And here’s Jody’s “phase 2” – sprawled out on her stomach with the night bag between her arms:
Burrito got his bag and ripped it open to pick through with his lips:
Foxie enjoyed hers lying down on the upper deck of the platform:
Jody left her bag and Burrito quickly went to check out what he could scavenge:
Then it was Foxie and Jamie’s turn to see if any of those shells contained an overlooked seed:
With the nightly ritual of the night bags over, and me finished with the spot-cleaning, most of the chimpanzees retired to the playroom to make their nests for the night. But Jamie’s routine does not include going to bed right after dinner…
We’ll see how late she stays up, with me in tow, feeling thankful that she is allowing me to join in her disruptive routine.
I am happy to see Jody back within the group! But I flinched when I read about Foxie. I hope she’ll be feeling well by tomorrow, I’ll be keeping her in my thoughts. And poor Jamie, I remember her abscess (believe it or not, Jamie had her abscess forming on my first visit). As if you haven’t had enough stress in your lives, you need everyone in the chimp house healthy and well. Oh dear.
Since most of my routines are on hold right now catching up on the chimps is my only remaining routine and it offers a sweet familiarity and a much needed respite right now. What I would give to hear the pant hoots, squeaks and grunts of joy over night bags — and what I would give to keep Jamie company as she takes her last patrols of the night on a night when she’s not feeling well. Hang in there, hoping tomorrow is a healthier day for everyone. Thank you for all the worrying, caring, and love, there is nothing routine about it. All my love xoxox.
I can’t believe it was that long ago that you first visited, Kathleen! Time passes so quickly. Thank you for your wishes of health for everyone. We’re certainly more on edge during this time when monitoring the chimps’ health. It’s really quite remarkable and fortunate that we’ve had so few health issues over the years with this ever-aging group. They are all fighters in so many ways :).
I hope you develop some new routines that aid during this time. I’ll be working on a plan for myself today. Happy Easter and thanks for always being here to lend a supportive and reflective word.
Diana, you may use the word “unprecedented ” all you want-remember, we get updates from someone who points at their head when they encounter the word “metrics”.
It was so good to see that first photo, with Jo spread out as always….
Of course I’m worried about my Tiny friend, but if she’s eating, then things will be good.
If there’s too much, I’m sure we could live without the blog for a couple of days a week, just give us a heads up so we don’t worry.
Hope the Queen is doing well, too.
Maybe one more word for Anthony’s list is “raceway”- I kind of chuckle inside every time you guys use it.
My continued good wishes for all of you, all of the chimps, and all of your families. When you’re out with The Boss, breathe deeply of that mountain air, look around at the sky…..and release….
Thank you, Linda! I just realized the blog is a routine and ritual too. Thank you for being kind and offering that we could take a break. I will pass that on to the staff.
The Queen is doing quite well. On Friday, she found some abandoned chow bags (from Jamie, who chose not to partake in chow when her abscess was at its peak) and it was as though she had found the gold at the end of the rainbow.
You’re so right – Raceway is another word to add to Anthony’s CSNW dictionary. It’s funny the terms we use without even thinking about them. I’m glad it gives you a chuckle.
Thank you for the reminder to breathe. It’s a gorgeous day here today! I hope you and yours are doing well.
Spring–a time of rebirth and renewal. Hoping all the chimps and caretakers make it safely through this horrible virus. This post showing the chimps enjoying their night bag was an uplifting delight. They really do seem to enjoy every morsel that is in that tiny bag. Whoever thought of this routine is a genius (JB????) He always seems to come up with new playgrounds and ideas that bring pleasure to the Chimps. Happy Easter to all of you wonderful human beings.
You know, I’m not sure exactly who came up with the mixture. The concept was certainly borrowed from when J.B. and I worked at the Fauna Foundation where we handed out various packages of treats. We started the night bag ritual on the first night the chimpanzees arrived and have carried it on every night since. I know this not because my memory is sharp (it’s decided not), but because I searched our blog and found this post: https://chimpsnw.org/2016/02/a-nightly-treat/
Happy Easter to you too, Elaine. I hope you are doing well and able to enjoy the spring days now.
I absolutely love these photos! Not only for the peek into those private moments of focus as the chimps go through their night bags but for the view, which I don’t recall seeing before: A wide angle perspective of the greenhouse from platform level with a view down and out the windows. Suddenly I can see how large the space is and why the chimps enjoy the platforms. I’m like Negra already — give me tons of blankets to cover my head — but more so now that I can see the view she enjoys. Lovely.
Take best care of yourselves, all.
I too love that perspective of the green house. It’s neat to be able to spy on dinner serving from those windows. Take care of yourself too, Francoise!
Thank you for the comforting “episode” in all of our daily routines.. I love that you let us all know everyone was ok before giving us the juicy details that we all crave.. in this time of having very little to “crave”. I hope that the routines that Jamie diversifies and shares regularly with you and the rest of the staff give you some comfort and solace in this odd time. Wishing everyone at CSNW great amounts of healing.. and many more routines! Thank you Diana.. lovely pictures… we all feel your heart in every post.