To watch Missy during a forage with tomatoes involved is like watching a pinball in a pinball machine. At first it seems like random zooming all over the place. But after a while, you realize that it’s all controlled and Missy indeed has a plan. The best way to describe it is “organized chaos.”
Last August, caregiver Anthony was able to perfectly describe Missy’s tomato obsession.
As soon as she spies us take those waxy red orbs out of the refrigerator, Missy turns into a ravenous lunatic whose sole objective is to ingest as many tomatoes as quickly as possible.”
When Missy first makes her way outside, first thing is to grab whatever tomato that is immediate vicinity.
Once all those are gone, it’s time to make her way to the structures. This serves as two benefits:
1) There are usually some hidden at the base of the structure.
2) Structures also provide a good vantage point to spot more tomatoes.
(Plus there may be a hidden one on the top of the structure.)
At times, when she is at a high view point, it almost seems that she plans out her route to capitalize on her movements.
While during the initial start of the forage, Missy eats as she goes. When she passes this stage, she begins collecting her prized foods. This is where her planning from the top comes in. Racing from one spot to the next, grabbing all that she can hold onto with her hands, feet, and mouth.
Once she cannot carry anymore, she anchors in a spot and enjoys the bounty of her tomato hunt.
It’s days like today, watching Missy zoom from place to place in the hunt for tomatoes, we feel very fortunate to be able to provide things they love. You can help us by donating to this year’s Give Big Washington campaign, which ends tomorrow. Anything helps us reach our goal and it directly helps them. So please consider donating if you can.
Bonus photos of Burrito and Jody grooming:
a tomato zoom athletic event…a natural skill…..
The joy of over a favorite food, the thrill of the treasure hunt, and the satisfaction of settling in to savor every yummy bite. Missy is so fortunate to experience it all. I often think about Missy during her years as a biomedical research subject, Missy could not move, climb, or run. It’s just as hard to imagine Missy not knowing what a tomato tastes like. Here’s to the good life! And tomatoes! Lots of tomatoes.
Whenever I see Missy zooming, I think she’s really making up for all of that lost time!
So do I. If only humans could always be humane to our cousins…
Thank you for your insight into Missy. I was laughing so hard thinking of her going to the top and planning her route. She is having the time of her life and we are all so grateful that you have worked so hard to provide this life for them.
Sending you good luck for this year’s Give Big Washington campaign! And speaking of hard work! I just rewatched the video on your Give Big page showing all of you working so hard keeping that sanctuary paradise in tip top condition. Not to mention doing it in the middle of a world wide pandemic and during your expansion! You guys are amazing! Thank you, thank you for all you do.
You’re exactly right that Missy, when up on high, is memorizing the location of the tomatoes and planning her route. Chimpanzee memory is beyond amazing!!