This morning, supporter Kathy Benson swung by to drop off some new enrichment items for the chimpanzees.
Kathy has been giving to the sanctuary since 2008 and avidly follows the daily blog. Over the years, she’s donated enrichment items which were so cool that they made it onto the daily blog. Kathy’s always friendly to the care staff and enthusiastic about helping the sanctuary, so we’re happy to meet her at the gate and accept her gifts on behalf of the chimpanzees!
Today, Kathy’s bag of donated goods contained some new books for Jamie and brand new wooden toys for all the chimps, including some of the same painted blocks that Burrito famously totes around.
Since they’ve proven to be a bit more destructive than the other chimps, we decided to give the toy blocks to the new group of six chimpanzees to see if they would pass their inspection. We weren’t sure how it would go, but it’s safe to say that the blocks were a big hit. So far, they seem durable enough for the chimps living in that wing of the building.
Throughout the late morning and afternoon, the chimps were all seen carrying the little wooden cubes in their hands, mouth and feet. Only Cy seemed completely uninterested in the blocks (in favor of his beloved magazines). The following images (from a couple hours ago) show some of the inquisitive chimps hanging out with these new enrichment items.
Even though the chimpanzees provided me with ample inspiration, I still had to think of a catchy title for the blog post. According to J.B., Chad and I are developing a reputation for egregiously using puns in our titles and captions (even roping Sam and Kelsi into our corny games). As someone who likes to casually “rock the boat” around here from time to time, I’m not about to let a controversy like this just fade away.
Naturally, I spent the afternoon turning the word “block” over in my brain until something came to mind. I kept gravitating towards songs and movies featuring words that rhyme with “block.” The winner, of course, ended up being “Block You Like a Hurricane.” I knew it was perfect when I suggested it to caregiver Sam and she wordlessly walked out of the room.
(For the record, “We Will Block You / We Are the Chimp-ions” was the runner-up.)
Now that you’ve seen the cool new blocks and read the not-so-cool puns, here are some additional portraits that I’ve collected over the last couple weeks. Thanks for your continued attention and support!
Was Cy reading a back issue of the dread Vanity Fair? Oh, perish the thought…
surely someone as intelligent as Cyrus the Magnificent can do better than to
devote his attention to what I lovingly refer to as “Euro-trash Monthly.” In contrast,
it is heartening to see the photograph of Gordo devouring a copy of National Geographic.
We try not to judge the chimpanzees for their chosen reading materials. š
Strangely, Cy seems to really love celebrity gossip and fashion magazines.
Also, I love that you called him Cyrus! I like giving him spontaneous nicknames and that one is certainly in the rotation. I think it sounds very noble.
Looks as though the blocks are a hit. Gordo is so well read.
To be fair, Gordo just flipped through a couple pages and tossed it aside. š
What areas have been opened up now that the 6 are out of quarantine?
So far, we have not given them access to any other enclosures besides the ones they quarantined in. Soon, they’ll get to explore the rest of their wing (consisting of the outdoor chute, downstairs front rooms and upstairs mezzanine).
These are some amazing, artistic photos, Anthony. Especially interesting after reading the linked post about Burrito and his blocks and the B&W photos you took and explained back then.
Thanks, Maureen! I tried to find a more general post about Burrito’s affinity for blocks but I couldn’t seem to find the right one while searching our archives.
I prefer “We will block you/Chimpions”, myself. š
Those are some great pics!
Gordo is quite the multi-tasker! Reading, lounging, and playing with blocks!
Have we given Cy a test-run with “Ice Age” yet? Who knows? Maybe, if the two groups integrate, that could be the way to achieve peace during a squabble: turn on “Ice Age”! š
After testing it with sample audiences, it seems like the Queen reference may have fared better in a live setting. š
The newbies haven’t had many opportunities to watch TV, but they might like it! None of them seem as interested in the movies as Willy B is. Even then, he tends to forget about the television as soon as any real-life chimp drama erupts.
To be fair, I did just mention that you are from Block Island! The other caregivers and I were discussing how you’d likely have something to say about my post and I bet that you’d mention our home state!
Lol, wrong island! š I’m in Newport (at least, for the moment). Not ready for that ferry commute, lol! One of my colleagues said she did it in high school, and it wasn’t pretty (it came up because they invited me out for the weekend since their rental was empty. The sea was tossing buckets in through the doors Ć la Gilligan’s Island, and I discovered that trying to knit during that ride gave me a headache!)
I’m disappointed that you, as a Rhode Islander, missed the chance to use “on the Block” š
“I Wanna Block!”
you efforts do not go unnoticed……Shakespeare could not have been more eloquent…….
Thanks, Tom! I’m not sure if Shakespeare did any blogging but I like to think he’d be proud of our wordplay.
Loved the photos! I am new to your blog but am enjoying starting my day seeing what everyone has been up to and getting to know the chimps, more. Thanks for all you do-canāt wait to see what the next update brings!
Thanks, Rosalie! We’re glad you’re following along and hope you enjoy our future content, too.
Like you folks don’t have enough to do without worrying about clever captions for your blogs. I just love Cy with his magazines. What amazes me is that they are not upsidedown so you know he knows what he is looking at. Amazing creatures, these Chimps
Thanks, Elaine! Watching Cy flip through magazines is great. He’s definitely attracted to some images more than others, although we haven’t quite figured out what triggers his excitement the most.
So the Lucky Six are ā more destructiveā than the rest of the gang?! That cracks me up. More destructive than Jamie who tries to take things apart?! Oh, do tell Anthony, thereās a good blog story behind that comment and inquiring minds want to know.
Great mix of photos. Annie marching in the tall grass, she looks athletic and beautiful. Shrieked at Gordo splayed out on his back! And same goes for him reading NG. And sometimes I think you all keep showing the exact same photo of Honey B because her expression never changes. Terry is gorgeous and sweet looking at the same time.
How did you miss the perfect setup to call out a JZ song title? When I saw the toy block with the letters JZ I though for certain youād riff on that (I also assumed it was a photo of Burrito because, well because how many times have we seen Mr. B with a block in his mouth?!) Anyways, āItās A Hard Block Lifeā
Hey, Kathleen! Yes, the new group has demonstrated a tendency to chew through enrichment items so we’re being cautious with them. I think I’ll let Chad tell the whole story in some future post; In my opinion, it’s a story best told by an Enrichment Coordinator!
As for Gordo, that’s “his pose.” I call it the “starfish.” Whatever it is, it seems to be comfortable for him.
I wish I had thought of that! It would have made my list… like “Block the Casbah” and “Blockin’ In The Free World.”
Isn’t it funny how much Terry’s freckles look like Burrito’s?
Terry’s freckles DO look like Burrito’s, but he’s got some canines behind those freckles! No entertainment smile for him!
Hi Anthony, LOVED (!!) “I wish I had thought of that! It would have made my listā¦ like āBlock the Casbahā and āBlockinā In The Free World.ā Especially loved “Block the Casbah”. Oh dear, we could make a ridiculous combo on this nonsense. I also cracked up over your Starfish name for Gordo’s pose. Perfect! And see what you can do to get the Enrichment Coordinator extraordinaire to start drafting a blog about the destructive six.
I love the light in the Cy magazine photo. It’s hard to tell who or what is illuminating whom or what.
Thanks, Francoise! The lighting in the new playrooms can be challenging to navigate with a camera, so I’m glad you like that one. It indeed looks like the magazine is glowing, which is pretty cool. I didn’t plan it though; I just got lucky!
Thank you for the link to BURRITO IN MONOCHROME!!! Love love love the photos of My True Love Valentine Burrito. And I love black and white photos. They feel historical.
Todayās photos were fabulous! I love close-ups of their faces. And Gordo all sprawled out ā LMAO!
And I love the puns. My late husband was very punny and often had me in stitches. Iām sitting here dictating with a huge smile on my face. Thank you for making my day!
Thanks, Paulette! I’m glad you appreciate the puns. Feel free to send J.B. and Diana an email demanding more wordplay in the blog. š
I couldn’t find a blog post that generally discusses Burrito’s affinity for wooden blocks… it comes up in passing but I don’t think it’s ever been the subject of an entire passage. I remembered the monochrome post and how he had a block in his mouth for the whole series, so I decided to link to that one instead!