Things have been a bit busy here in the chimp house lately, to say the least. Between the integration of the 9 (we are still cautiously optimistic!), Negra’s procedure, and then Jamie’s procedure, things have not slowed down. To keep everyone on our team up to date, we have team meetings where we discuss recent events and new ideas for improving how we do things. These discussions are often full of new and exciting ideas. A few weeks ago, though, someone brought up a subject that is (apparently) near and dear to my heart – our good ole’ greenhouse basket.
To be candid, I didn’t even know myself until that meeting how strongly I felt about the greenhouse basket. It is a tale as old as time – once upon the early days of the chimp house, some staff members decided that we needed to have a basket dedicated to the greenhouse since it is it’s own indoor/outdoor space. Thus emerged the basket you see below – the only one in our whole collection that is this specific, somewhat odd, shape.
The greenhouse basket (on top), in all it’s glory – filled with enrichment and ready for the day.
Since it is shaped different from our other baskets, it always has a bit of a tilt when we stack it on the other enrichment baskets. It has often been accidentally knocked over, and has been the point of frustration for many a caregiver trying to get to one of the bottom baskets. Maybe, then, we should change it out for one that fits with the others and makes our busy days a tiny bit easier?
Enter my *emphatic* no. I surprised myself with how vehemently I was against changing out the greenhouse basket, even though it makes sense to change it. As we talked about it, though, I realized the reason I want it to remain is because it is one of those comforting, consistent little things. A little thing that remains despite all the change around- after all, it has been the greenhouse basket long before I was an intern here and is still in active duty now. Despite all the changes of the world around, it stayed the same. And there is something inherently comforting about that.
Walking into the chimp house kitchen every morning to see the stack of enrichment baskets for the day, we know that there will be the leaning tower of the greenhouse basket – just one nudge away from toppling over. I’m sure there are other little things throughout the chimp house that are similar- small things or ways we do a task that has stayed the same despite everything happening around it. And change is great – it has allowed Cy’s group to have more access to social partners than they did before. But, maybe, it’s ok for some small things to remain consistent.
Aside from thinking about change, it has also been a lovely day here with the chimps. Jamie and Negra are both healing very well and we are continuing to monitor Cy’s group!
Cy, enjoying the warmth of the day in the Riverview Greenhouse.
Rayne also choosing to take in the day outside in the Riverview Greenhouse.
Jamie, from a few days ago, watching her caregivers from one of the Front Rooms. She is still healing and doing great!
Meredith lovin’ the summer pasture.