Burrito was trying to convince us in earnest today that we was completely fine and ready to get back into the mix of things, despite his very recent ordeal.
Dr. Erin gave the okay for him to spend some quiet time with Jody, who was eager to check out his recovery digs and see if there were any uneaten treats lying around. They greeted each other with enthusiasm, did their own thing for a while, groomed a bit, and then had a tickle session.
No one bounces back like Burrito. He is a man with more than seven lives. A being whose love of life will not be quashed or tarnished. Every adversity he faces, he comes back with more energy. He is the inspiration we all need. I don’t know why he is the way he is, but aren’t we all so lucky to know him.
Be sure to catch tomorrow’s blog post about Foxie’s 45th birthday celebration!
So glad burrito is feeling better. Was wondering if you had the camera on during the time that he ran into the snake so you could see his behavior and why he actually got bit.
It would be awesome if there were some live cams to not only review these unexpected moments, but to capture all of their daily interactions.
Hi Jenny – We did review our seurity cam footage and could make out the general time that he was bitten but the infrared setting, which is in effect when the lights are off inside during the early morning hours, makes it difficult to distinguish details from afar.
So happy Burrito is recovering well.
Looking forward to Foxie’s 45th Birthday Bash!
Thank you, Diana.
And if he comes back with even MORE energy…..well, we should start a funding drive for Chad’s shoes!
Cannot WAIT for tomorrow’s party!
Thanks Diana and J.B. for everything.. Bubba is a huge addition to all of our lives. I can’t begin to imagine how scary it is when this happened, again. Burrito, you’re our hero from one end of the spectrum to the other. 🙂
So thrilled that Burrito is mostly healed from his bite. Bless his heart…he’s a fighter. It’s good to see sweet face doing well!
whew…….with all the water we have had in my neighborhood in Texas, all the ground critters are having to relocate to higher ground…..the 100 degree weather has them on the move to shady spots…..i expect there are a few in my back yard relocating as i post this….go around that barrier daily, carrying a rake or hoe, and stir-up the grass…they will keep moving away…..and keep your hands inside a good pair of leather gloves and wear long-legged jeans…..
You offer very good advice. I hope that it can be determined how the rattlers are able to enter into the sanctuary grounds, and how they can be expelled.
It is a relief to read and see that Burrito appears to be on the mend. Has it been determined where the sanke was located when it attacked him?
Hi Tobin – The snake made its way into either the greenhouse or the playroom – the early morning infrared footage is not as clear and it was difficult to see exactly. To be fair to rattlesnakes, it is the chimpanzees who attack; the rattlesnakes tend to bite defensively only after being provoked. Interestingly, we have relocated many rattlesnakes over the years and most won’t even attempt to strike when picked up with snake tongs. The only time we’ve met an angry rattlesnake here was when our dog had cornered it. He/she did not want to be picked up :grinning:
Whew. What a relief! I have been worrying all day, even read up on rattlesnakes and their bites, their venon, etc., etc. Yup. I was worried. Oh ye of little faith. I should have known I would be greeted by this adorable ever-ready face in my email today. I’ll say it again. Burrito’s super power is having 100 lives.
Thanks Diana for the update on the playdate with Den Mother Jody and thanks for these very Burrito photos. May our dear boy continue to improve with each passing day. You are so right, no one bounces back like Burrito. Love to you all!
wonderful news!
I am so glad our Burrito is feeling better.
Yes, I do feel lucky to know him.
Thank you for the great news about Burrito. So happy he is already spending time with family and enjoying his food. He is so special. Sending love and hugs to you all.
Yes, Burrito is an inspiration. But, so is everything about the Sanctuary.
i love this months calendar of Missy with the tomato. Looking foward to next years.
Cheers!
Oh Bubba, you have more lives than a cat! We humans are told we have only one, but I think that’s not true, and I think you’ve taken a few lives from your human caretakers!
As I was absorbing yesterday’s news, I realized I didn’t really know that much about rattilesnakes, and I was left with a lot of questions like “what exactly is a snake fence?” I’ve looked at all the photos you posted, and I can’t remember seeing anything I could identify as a “snake fence.” And then I had questions about rattlesnake behavior, how it came to be in the chimp’s living space, why Burrito got bitten, etc. So I did a bit of internet research, and after getting past the internet snake oil salesmen (sadly, not a pun!) I came across a lot of very interesting information from a guy who installs snake fencing in Arizona, and advises homeowners on how to deal with rattlesnakes in their suburban environment. Fascinating stuff!
Everything he recommended I was able to recognize in how the staff at CSNW cares for the property. And how, after you have done snake fencing, discouraging snakes through landscaping, rodent control and water leak control, it comes down to teaching people (and other beings) “Don’t touch venemous snakes.”
This snake control specialist talked a bit about how he teaches children environmental awareness, and builds in a reward system to reward the kids when they notice something unusual about their surroundings. He also talked about rattlesnake aversion training in dogs, who have no evolutionary experience with rattlesnakes. The other chimps seems to have that evolutionary awareness of snake danger, can Burrito be trained to have that awareness, too? Especially as he may not have the aversion instinct of the other chimps and has been bitten twice, perhaps because of that?
I don’t know how positive reinforcement training overlaps (or doesn’t) with aversion training, and the differences between them, but I would be very interested to know your thoughts, when you’re ready to share them. Thank you all so much for your efforts on behalf of 16 (!) precious chimps!
That’s so interesting. Now I’m going to go see what a snake fence actually consists of.
I was like you Betsy, reading up on rattlesnakes too. Fasinating and good to know while moving about out on hikes! I learn a lot of very obvious stuff I wasn’t aware of.
Aversion training can be tricky. Some people use it on dogs but many (most) trainiers are not fans. In dog behavior terminology an “aversive” is something unpleasant that is used to suppress or diminish an unwanted behavior. An aversive can be an unpleasant sound, a physical correction, the pain caused by a shock collar or prong collar correction, or a harsh scolding. It’s considered an aversive if it’s something your dog will work to avoid in the first place or will work to stop in the moment. Thus, positive reinforcement is preferable. Perhaps a fake rattlesnake placed in front of Burrito and a positive reinforcement “click” when he looks away or walks way and then a food reward administered. BUT… while this practice works with a dog, not sure it crosses over to working with Chimpanzees. 🙂 As J.B. pointed out, what’s more aversive than an incredibly painful snake bite proven twice! Silly precious Burrito, he is the individual he is and we love for it.
Oh…I can start breathing again! What a lovely recovery photo, although the one taken in his recovery room nest is hard to beat. Dr Erin must be thrilled that she’s got such a first class recovery nurse in Jody…..she must be due for a raise with such a lot of work to do. Lets hope that you find a solution to preventing them from getting in, and this is the last time that there is global worrying about your precious little people. Do you know how wild chimps react to snakes…..they must come across quite a lot.
The staff at CSNW has said that in the wild, they react just as the 7 do. What’s weird is, as JB said, Burrito usually does not go near them. He lets the ladies take care of it, and offers hugs to those who are beside themselves (watch their “Snakes!” and “Snake Hunters” videos). But for some odd reason, with rattlers, he’s stepped up twice now to protect the ladies, and been bitten.:person_shrugging:?
Wonderful news but who of us followers ever doubted he wouldn’t recover especially with sucj knowledgable people caring for him. He’s such a delight and we all love him so much.
Celebrating Burrito’s eecovery and Foxie’s birthday:tada::confetti_ball::blush::heart::heart:?
while i am not a primatologist i have become so enamored of our closest cousins that im actually thinking of going back to school and learn as much as i can. im 60 years old but i live alone and i read every single thing i come across about primates. i do know at Orangutan jungle school they teach the orphins “to fear snakes because they werent afraid. im sure the chimps had they not had their freedom ripped from them would have learned that from their mothers or even other members of their chimp family. please dont quote me on this as it wouldnt be the first time i was wrong. And yes!!! i feel extremely grateful Burrito and all the chimps are in my life! thanks for all of the caregivers and all the hard work you do!
Aw. My precious handsome goofball True Love Valentine ?
Another day for an OH MY!! Thankfully he’s recovering well and will live another day to play and romp and pant hoot and forage. But, Geez, Bubba, that’s a WHOLE LOTTA DRAMA just to get your nails trimmed and the soothing touch of moisturizing lotion!! You really must find another way to ask for these luxuries because the snake bite way just isn’t working for all of us who love you so much!! So glad you’re going to be running and romping soon. And thanks to the staff for wonderful blog posts keeping us all up to date on his recovery.
Burrito is truly a special guy. I feel blessed to have gotten to know him through all your blogs and posts. He is such the cutie pie!!!
Burrito is sn absolute inspiration!:kissing_heart: