In the past, we’ve described Burrito as being tentative and unsure about things.
It took a while for him to join Jamie on her perimeter walks of Young’s Hill. In July of 2013, about ten months after the 2-acre enclosure was complete, J.B. writes that Missy, Annie, and Jody were often seen taking part in Jamie’s adventures at the top of the hill and all around the perimeter, while Burrito, Foxie, and Negra tended to stick to the lower half of the enclosure.
By October of that same year, Burrito was occasionally joining Jamie on her perimeter walks, On these walks, he was always the follower.
In March of 2015, Katelyn describes how Burrito was joining more perimeter patrols, and even relaxing a bit. A few days later, Burrito started to invite caregivers to go on walks without Jamie, which J.B. excitedly wrote about (read to the end for one reason he was excited).
Jamie’s walks still far eclipsed Burrito’s in quantity, and most of Burrito’s were with other chimpanzees with him following behind.
Burrito would often appear to be hesitant when Jamie veered off the usual pathway. Katelyn described Burrito gingerly following Jamie as she effortless climbed the Twister structure in September of 2016.
Today Burrito took twice as many walks / runs as Jamie around the perimeter. Some with just him and me and some with a chimpanzee group.
He was the occasional leader, sometimes even waiting for Jamie to catch up.
He and Jamie appeared to decide at the same time to climb up Twister.
But Burrito was the only one to go to the very top.
Before going back inside, on his own, he took a path less traveled to explore a different part of the hill.
Choices, opportunities, and space that allow for gradual gains in confidence and incremental steps towards discovery – this really is what sanctuary is about.
how do you relate their eyesight to ours ? do they have depth perception, far sighted, near sighted ? and as they age, cataracts ?
Their eyesight is thought to be about the same as ours (or perhaps more accurately, vice versa). I know they can get cataracts. I wasn’t actually sure about near and far sightedness, so I looked it up and found this interesting article that first theorizes that problems with eyesight are less likely to be passed down from generation to generation in nonhuman animals because they may not survive long enough to have kids, but then it sites a study on bonobos that they say is evidence that older bonobos become more farsighted as they age, like humans. It’s not a large sample, and a bit of conjecture, so I don’t know how much to rely on it as evidence, but it’s interesting. https://www.thecut.com/2016/11/humans-arent-the-only-animals-who-need-glasses.html
Hi, Diana!
I have only been following the blog for a year or two, but I’ve noticed Mr B shadowing Jamie a lot more, vs being “ditched” or left behind by the girls.
Our boy, grown up!
PS, did he “rescue” that troll?
Linda – I think what looks to be a troll doll is actually a blanket, In any case, there were no rescues of objects on the hill 🙂
Hi, Diana!
I’ve only been following the blog for a couple of years now, but I’ve noticed Mr B shadowing Jamie more often, instead of being “ditched by the girls” at the bottom of the hill. Our boy, grown up.
PS, did he “rescue” that troll?
Excellent blog. Heartwarming. Thank you for allowing us to share your experiences with these amazing chimpanzees. I love them all.
Many thanks and it’s very nice to hear about the history of the chimpanzees. What an awesome blog today!
Many thanks!
Thanks for reading, Ken!
First, I am so proud of him! It’s just incredible, this new super happy, funny, confident Burrito so full of joie de vivre. Look at him on the top of the Twister all by himself! Way to go Bubba! I remember the very first time he awkwardly climbed up the Twister and now look at him, venturing above Jamie to the top. And while I see he’s taking the path less traveled in these photos it appears a green haired troll likes to take this route too. : )
Thanks for the links in your story Diana. The video at the end of The Walking Club was fun to see. That was 2013 and still today the chimps have the same walking style and patterns, even Burrito not liking to travel through the tall grass. Seeing him bipedally tippy toeing through the tall stiff grass cracked me up. Poor boy.
Silly question. It seems as if Burrito always has a wooden toy in his mouth. I somehow wondered if it was sort of like a security blanket for him. I see he doesn’t have anything in his mouth in these photos. Is he breaking away from this habit these days? Just wondering if it has to do with his new confidence and glee these days.
Hi Kathleen,
I often think of the toys in his mouth and sort of a security blanket. I would guess that he carries something in his mouth or hands around 80% of the time when he goes on walks, though maybe it is less so these days – I don’t really know!
I believe what looks to be a green-haired troll is actually a blanket leftover from Christmas. 🙂
Wonderful photographs of the absolutely wonderful Burrito. His adventures today bring to mind Paul’s song from “the White Album”. Mr. B is “Mother Nature’s Son”.
I love that album, and that song, thanks for bringing it to mind.
My heart freezes when I think about what he was deprived of for so long, and then it thaws out when I see how much life you have given back to him. Many blessings on Burrito, and all of you.
Thank you, Betsy!
What a great post – seeing Burrito’s history and then his adventure today all together – so fun! *\0/* YAY! Burrito!!
Wonderful post Diana and thanks for the links… watching the best “reruns” of a favorite show and seeing the transformations…. Bubba you inspire us all! We should all have t-shirts with his image or silhouette that say “Live like Burrito”… or something more clever.. the constant reminder of indomitable spirit is a heart warming and encouraging lesson for us all. Hugs to you all.
I love the T-shirt idea.
Judy – that’s a good idea!
Can I petition for a “I flip for Foxie” shirt (Foxie in bat pose), while we’re at it? 😀
Hi Diana,
It is wonderful to see Burrito more confident than ever. I am immagining that when he was so very ill last year, and you were fearing for his life, he has “seen the light” and now fully enjoys life without fear because he has been to the edge??!!
And I have to compliment you on the filmingtechnic; definitely improved since 2013!! 🙂
Hi Marianne, He certainly is living life to the fullest these days! Yes, we’ve benefited from better technology for filming and photography, but I think we’ve also improved our technique too ;).
That was a very heart warming blog. The progress that the chimps make is amazing.
It takes time, of course, but when it happens smiles are all around. The gift the
sanctuary has given these amazing animals is the very best and everyone should be
so proud of what they have done. I am very happy to be a part of the progress the
sanctuary has made and hope more chimps can make it their home in the near future.
Thank you, Barbara. It really means a lot to hear you are happy to be a part of the progress. Thank you for all you have done to give the gift of sanctuary!
Love today’s blog. I’m suspicious that Burrito does not like tall grass because he is smart enough to know that is where snakes often hide out??? Maybe some rodents or lizards too… how does he feel about the little critters?? Of course this is the wrong time of year for snakes to be out and about… he does not know that!
That’s not a bad theory. He doesn’t have strong reactions to little critters (like Foxie’s clear annoyance with grasshoppers). Sometimes he’ll carry around dead rodents almost like they are stuffed animals… we’ve seen other chimpanzees at other sanctuaries do this too.
This made me tear up with joy! He is an amazing soul. Yes, this is sanctuary. Thank you! ?? to all chimps & humans
I’ll say it again: going back through the old posts, the transformation in Jamie’s appearance is nothing short of astounding!
It’s so true! she really changed a lot in physical appearance from when she first arrived from Buckshire.
Beautiful update on my hero mr burrito, thank you so much for all that you do! And I’d buy a tee shirt with his big beautiful mug on it!