When we set out food forages for the chimpanzees on Young’s Hill, the chimps’ outdoor habitat, especially on a gorgeous day like today, all of the staff onsite tend to gather at the base of the hill near the greenhouse, frequently with more than one of us taking photos.
It never gets old watching forages, and we often narrate out-loud to one another what’s happening. Today, Missy provided some excitement for our (and her) enjoyment.
The lunch forage was whole tomatoes (a Missy-favorite!), big chunks of lettuce, celery, mini sweet peppers, primate chow biscuits, and a few pieces of sweet potato.
Missy was keen on finding the tomatoes, but was also busy gathering lettuce. We spotted her on the treat rock (an artificial termite mound) taking a moment to eat some lettuce.
She must have spotted some tomatoes on top of Negra’s cabin from the vantage point of the treat rock, because she leapt off the treat rock in a way only Missy would. J.B. got a shot of her in motion!
Here’s the zoomed-in version of that photo. I dubbed it Stunt Missy.
Negra was settled in inside her cabin, casually enjoying some chow biscuits and lettuce, when Missy approached.
Missy was determined to climb up the log support of the cabin, even with her hands quite full. The humans watching wondering if she could do it…
Of course she could! She scaled up the log one-handed, not dropping a leaf of lettuce.
and enjoyed the tomato reward when she reached the top
The amazing Missy !
I could look at pictures of her in action all day, And of Negra too 🙂
Missy doesn’t need a stunt double. That woman does her own stunts
As we have learned, most top gymnasts are small, compact, muscular, and agile…..there is no doubt those traits apply here……..
Amazing!! One-handed up the pole while balancing herself and her forages. Thanks to JB for capturing the event so nicely and to Diana for sharing the largesse!
What a cool series of Missy pics!!! Life seems pretty good today…….
As if there was any doubt that the greatest athlete in the Cascade Mountains could have scaled Negra’s Cabin to earn her reward of tomatoes without losing her grip on her lettuce. Hopefully, the Amazing Missy found a third victual (beets, broccoli, berries) to add to her ingredients for a BLT.
Missy! Always a sheer delight to see images of this athletic girl. I adore her. The Stunt Missy leap is graceful and powerful at the same time. Oh to have her coordination!
Besides the thrill of seeing Olympic Missy on the move (and dear Neggie snacking in her cabin) I honestly loved your mention about all of you gathering to watch the forages on Young’s Hill the most. I’ve always assumed you come out to observe but your day is hectic and time is precious. So when I read : “It never gets old watching forages, and we often narrate out-loud to one another what’s happening.”…..I let out an audible sigh of pure joy and happiness. THIS is why I hold you all, near and dear, in my heart. You are not simply caregivers. You are family. And that’s what sanctuary life is all about.
Kathleen, I love your sentiments and breathed my own sign of acknowledgement and gratitude while I was reading your comments. Thanks for capturing my own feelings so well — “family” — yes! That’s how I feel about having the sanctuary and ALL its members (chimps, bovines, caregivers, board and donors, sorry, leaving out the snakes) as a part of my own family…and being part of an extended social group that includes all. Pant-hoots say it all!
One of the things that makes chimpanzees so fascinating to us, or at least to me, is their humaness(is that a word?). Especially when they are upright. And we usually only see that when they are walking. To see Missy upright in mid air just captivated me! What a majestic lady! And I could just feel her excitement to get to that tomato!
Agreed. For further bipedal displays, you may wish to check out yesterday’s blog featuring Burrito standing atop the weight scale. As it should happen, the subject of the scientific data collection was in a decidedly playful (if irreverent) mood.
Oh, and as you have stated that you are new to the CSNW blog, I welcome you to the day-to-day lives of the residents of the Sanctuary.
Oh I definitely saw the blog post about my true love, And my chimpanzee pal, burrito! I love him so much! And you all…