Lucky [luhk-ee]
chimpanzee
1. kind-hearted
2. engaged
3. first to greet her caregivers when they walk in the room; knows how to make someone feel special
4. observer of her surroundings
Lucky is truly one of a kind. And as cliché as it sounds, we are so lucky to know her.
When I first started at CSNW as staff, Lucky always made such an effort with me. Every time I saw her, she would storm across the room, no matter what she was up to, just to say hello. She was the head of the welcoming committee for me and she doesn’t even know it. She does this with all of her caregivers. She is easily excited and genuinely happy to see everyone 24/7.
You may have noticed in some previous blog photos or videos, Lucky uses blankets to scoot across the floor. You can see this behavior here (around 0:43). She will gather a few blankets, tuck them under her thighs, and use them to help glide herself across the floor. Closely related to rocking, this is a common behavior for chimpanzees in captivity. To phrase it in the simplest way I can, she does this as a comfort mechanism. As someone who was born in a laboratory, not raised by her own mother, and will live the rest of her life in captivity, it is understandable for her to seek comfort in any way she chooses. I believe even we, as humans, have our own individual ways to comfort ourselves in both good and stressful times. And that is okay.
As seen in the photo above, this is one of Lucky’s signature poses. Anytime you see a photo of Lucky from this angle, just know she is staring down whoever is behind the camera. Simultaneously, she is doing a motion with her mouth where she alternates sucking in her cheeks/lips. I presume that she is deep in thought every time I see this face.
We love you, Lucky!
Thank you, Jenna, for today’s posting. I don’t often get to see or read about Lucky; she seems as if she has a designated perch high above the floor from where she keep an eye on her peers. Thus, it is heartening to read that she greets her human caregivers when she sees them in the morning. And, ah, what beautiful eyes she has.
Lucky is beautiful!! can see intelligence in her eyes
i agree, Lucky is beautiful. And the photographer here is so talented.
Thank you for sharing.
Lucky is beautiful, and do expressive!
Those are really beautiful and moving photos of our dear Lucky. It has been so nice to see some of her character shine through in recent videos. For the first many months it seemed in every picture she was high up in the greenhouse peering down at the photographer. I felt so bad thinking she might be depressed. So the videos of her scooting around were surprising at first, and so delightful! I am so happy to hear that she is not as aloof as I first thought. I love that she greets her caregivers every day. That is wonderful. I am just thrilled for her.
Thank you! for showing us more Lucky today!
I am delighted to see a post about nobody but Lucky! I simply love the string of photos and the way she looks into the camera.
I think of Lucky often because it seems she isn’t featured much. When I do see photos, Lucky is usually sitting quietly, up high and on her own (or scooting about in the background!). I have wondered if this beautiful girl was more of a “chimps chimp” and therefore didn’t engage often with you caregivers.
Today I learned a great deal about Cy’s sibling. Oh to be the recipient of Lucky’s enthusiastic greeting!! I used to laugh out loud seeing Lucky scooting around, but, I now see it is not like Honey B feeling the need for speed rolling on her skateboard. If I understand your subtle explanation, you are saying Lucky’s scooting behavior is similar to over grooming and as you stated, rocking. It is stereotypic behavior?
Sweet beautiful girl. If only the labs cared about the damage they’ve done. I hope, with time, Lucky will find peace in her new home and, if she chooses to keep on scooting, she does so because it gives her great joy.
Yes, Kathleen, Lucky is a beautiful girl. But I wonder which sick scientist gave her the name Lucky with the start in life that she had??
Good point Carol. I will choose to believe that Lucky was named after someone with compassion like naming Cy after Cynthia, a caring person. Perhaps becuase of Lucky, the person who named her chose to leave the biomedical industry and became someone who fights for animal rights instead. ……..this is my dream and I’ll stick to it. 😉 The upside is, Lucky is lucky now that she’s at CSNW.
I, too, will always wonder when I see her scooting why she’s scooting. As cute as it looks, I hope, as Kathleen says, that it becomes a habit from fun, and not stress or tension. Thanks, Jenna
What a pretty chimp Lucky is. Can’t wait for the new encloser to be ready. Love to all the chimps xx
I have known several chimps to use blankets to scoot about and I never got the impression they were doing during a time of stress. Many times I observed the behaviour it was during seemingly happy times or occurrences… feeding time or playtime… I am so happy to see Lucky… its been a minute since I had seen her in a post and I was starting to get a little worried!!! Thank you!!!
I’m so relieved to hear that, Deanna! Thanks!
You’re gonna have extra fun with today’s video! 😀