Today was Jamieween, a day unlike any other.
Today we celebrated Jamie Chimpanzee’s birthday and Halloween. And boy did we celebrate.
All of the humans truly outdid themselves this year. Enrichment Coordinator Chad has been thinking about and planning some special surprises for Jamie’s 43rd, and there was a lot of improvised fun sprinkled on top. Caregivers came in on their day off to help and share in the celebration.
I’ll start with Jamie. She had a particularly fantastic day. It was chilly early this morning, but as soon as I opened the hill for the chimps, Jamie bolted out and I joined her on the first walk of the day. The morning light choosing spots to illuminate on the hill was so beautiful (the photo below doesn’t quite capture it, but I posted a short video clip on Instagram), and I was glad she invited me along to enjoy it.
There were many gifts for Jamie throughout the day (thanks to those who purchased items from our wish list for Jamie!). These gifts were left for her in different areas for her to find. Katelyn noticed that Jamie had a particular interest in mummies a while back – she was carrying around a national geographic and paying special attention to some photos about mummies. So of course mummy books were a part of her celebration.
Kelsi and Anna created a “haunted box fort” for her in the playroom so she could enjoy some of her new books.
Later, after a refreshment…
…she checked out another one of the mummy books in the greenhouse:
Yesterday the winds were howling, but today was still and crisp and even warm, so of course we had to set up some Halloween food forages outside. The chimpanzees got to enjoy their very first pomegranates of the season – whole pomegranates! Jamie was quite pleased.
If you have seen past Jamieween celebrations, by now you might be wondering about the pumpkin and Jody…
This year, Chad had the idea of making scarecrows for the chimps with edible heads, so the pumpkin stood in as the head of the scarecrow on Young’s Hill.
Behold:
Due to her actions in past years, Jody has been bestowed the title of Great Pumpkin Thief. It wasn’t certain that she would be holding that honorific this year, however, because while Jody was off collecting pomegranates, Annie took an interest in the jack-o’-lantern (minus the lantern):
Annie also un-stuffed the scarecrow a bit and founds some hidden nuts.
But in the end, Annie left the pumpkin in place for Jody, the true thief, to strike again.
There was no obstacle, including one Burrito Chimpanzee, that would stand in her way:
Just look at that determination:
Everyone, as in years past, eventually got to enjoy the fruit of Jody’s labor by partaking in some of the pumpkin. Queen Negra nibbled on some from her bed, sharing with Missy:
For the other group of chimpanzees, we decided to use a head of cabbage for the scarecrow noggin. Chad added the jack-o’-lantern touch and Anna secured the scarecrow to a post:
I can’t look at that and not laugh. On the other hand, I can also imagine a horror movie with that character.
Willy B may have thought the same. He did not want to interact with the scarecrow, but made a quick job of devouring the cabbage:
Mave and Honey B were enjoying a lettuce forage in the chute while Willy B had his personal Jamieween treat, and later all three had a little party in the mezzanine with sparkling cider and popcorn:
Then for lunch they too got whole pomegranates. These, however, were extra special as they had had a visit from carver Chad. I’m sorry I did not get any photos of Willy B putting a whole pomegranate in his mouth and attempting to chew.
For dinner, Willy B, Mave, and Honey B got their own taste of pumpkin, which they devoured. Here’s Honey B:
Jamie ended her day by grabbing one of her new boot books and collecting some corn cobs in a box to enjoy in the front rooms, emitting low, contented moans as she ate.
All of the chimpanzees had a day of non-stop partying and are now sleeping soundly. There were many other photos as well as videos of the day, but I see that it’s dark and late and I should get home to my own haunted home.
I hope you all had a fun treat-filled day like the chimpanzees and that it continues into the night!
Arlene and Michael says
Oh what fun. What an amazing birthday party for Jamie and all the Chimps. You are all so creative and talented with the party favors and food. Chad is such an artist. Love the scarecrows and the pumpkin thief did not disappoint! Diana I enjoyed all the details of the day and those wonderful pictures. Looks like Jamie (and everyone) had a great time from morning until night. Thanks to everybody for making making another Jamieween so special.
Maureen says
Best day ever! This human loved all of it. Happy Jamieween!
CeeCee says
Happy Jamieween!
Great picโs, thank you for making all their Halloween dreams come true.
Linda says
Thanks for the pics and the IG link, Diana!
Squee! I’m happy she like Chauchilla! For future reference (to expand)….does she also like pictures of decorative skeletons? As in, someone with an elaborate skeleton pirates display in their yard? I’ve pictures of a local guy’s house….he goes crazy decorating his yard every year…I could add those in next year
Diana says
Hi Linda! Thanks for the books! I don’t know if Jamie is also enamored by pictures of decorative skeletons – we might need to do some research into that to find out ๐
Linda C says
Anything for the chimps!
To think I deleted a bunch of photos, because I thought I would never need that many mummy pics!
I’ll wait to see what you say….and even though I made a spare, I’ll try Shutterfly next time, as this material doesn’t seem like it will hold up well (first time doing a book).
Linda C says
Anything for the chimps!
Thanks, Diana. To think, I deleted some photos because I thought I’d never need that many mummy pics. I made a dupe because chimps. Next time, I may try Shutterfly, because this material doesn’t seem like it will hold up well. Was the first book I’d made, so didn’t know.
I’ll wait to see what you think about the decorative ones
Elaine Reininger says
The big event of the year did not disappoint thanks to Chad’s creative ideas. How you guys come up with such unique ideas for enrichment never ceases to amaze me. Loved all the pictures, Diana. Thanks
Kathleen says
HAPPY 43 JAMIE! Sending you our love from every inch of our hearts! xoxo
Hearing about Jamieween was my ‘treat’! SO, it was Jamieween, Halloween, Full Blue Moon, and we had to set our clocks back. What a day indeed! From the magical morning light of your first morning walk with Jamie to Jamie ending her day grabbing one of her new boot books and collecting some corn cobs in a box to settle in for the night, this was an exceptionally outstanding Jamieween celebration. Chad! Your scarecrows were brilliant (as was all of your party planning efforts for each group). And when I saw the straw stuffing I just knew you had seed/nuts or something yummy hidden in there. You are the sanctuary party planner extraordinaire!
I was cheering for Annie to win the day and make off with the Great Pumpkin but in the end it warmed my heart (as it always does) to see Farmer Joe dragging that big orb down the hill and around the immovable Burrito. Especially enjoyed the CA 3 celebrating their second Jamieween. In the end it all brought tears to my eyes. Your loving efforts to make this day beyond wonderful for all the chimps takes my breath away.
(Loved “Caregivers came in on their day off to help and share in the celebration.”)
Jeani Goodrich says
What a wonderful day for all to help Jamie celebrate! Thank you Diana for the vivid description. I could see it all especially Willy B with the pomegranate! Hahha! Have you thought about wrapping a troll doll up as a mummy for Jamie? That would be fun to see. Thank you for all you do.
Marya says
What fun! I just adore seeing these pics and celebrating Jamie (and everyone, including caregivers, ya’ll!). Willie B is so handsome, and his ‘operation’ with the cabbage is priceless. Thanks for all the work everyone put into making Jaimeeween such a great event for all, including us out here. I’ve occasionally thought about the concept of “the observer and the observed.” Sometimes I wonder if the chimps are keeping notes about the humans and how they’ve shaped the humans’ behavior. Who’s training whom? There’s gotta be a poem in there somewhere…
Kathy S says
Do they get all their vitamins through food or do you supplement?
Diana says
We add some supplements to their smoothie, but most of their vitamins are received through the food they eat – fruits, vegetables, and primate chow. We used to give a daily multi-vitamin, but now instead we supplement Vitamin D in the winter months and other supplements for specific reasons, like improved joint mobility.
Rosemary says
Wonderful day and loved the photos.
Where was Foxie during the celebration? Hoping she is ok!
Diana says
Foxie was off collecting pomegranates on the Esher structure. ๐