I recently discussed the behavioral training program in this blog post: “Are the chimps trained?”
The post summarized our efforts to improve the chimps’ lives by promoting cooperative behaviors. However, I neglected to mention one of the simplest and most important behaviors of all: recall.
In plain terms, recall behavior is approaching another individual’s location when they call you. Those of you who care for a domestic dog may already know the importance of reliable recalls, especially if your surroundings allow them to be off leash sometimes. In fact, recalls are often the first thing that companion animals learn, either intentionally or by accident, and that’s a good thing.
The chimpanzees are not pets, but we practice this behavior with them to ensure they cooperate when we need them to vacate an enclosure.
This ability is especially important when the chimps have access to outdoor areas such as Young’s Hill and the three greenhouses. Although they are enclosed in a mesh snake fence that prohibits easy entry, snakes and other wildlife occasionally find their way inside the perimeter and end up face-to-face with gangs of screaming chimpanzees. In these situations, caregivers need the chimps to leave the snake alone so it can be safely translocated back outside. Other scenarios that would also necessitate a recall include nearby wildfire, dangerously strong winds, a sudden drop in air quality, or an unexpected problem with the electrified fences.
The chimps in Jamie’s group mobbing a snake in 2018:
Caregiver Grace relocating a non-venomous snake last summer:
A non-venomous racer that Caregiver Chad relocated away from the Chimp House:
As with the behaviors mentioned in the other post, we encourage cooperative recall through the process of operant conditioning using only positive reinforcement. To initiate a recall, one caregiver rings a loud bell and yells “recall!” This combination of sounds serves as the cue for the desired behavior: shifting from the space they’re in into the space closest to the caregiver. When everyone chooses to shift into the preferred enclosure, a second caregiver closes the doors separating the areas. Once the doors are safely closed, the first caregiver marks that as the correct behavior using the clicker and rewards each chimp with a banana.
We give whole bananas every time to ensure the chimpanzees associate the cue and its corresponding behavior with the universally-loved food item. It’s likely that some individuals will occasionally choose not to participate in recalls, in which case we’ll have to “up the ante” with a reward of even higher value.
So far, we’ve had good success getting entire groups of chimpanzees to come in from their outdoor habitats. Earlier today, we asked the chimpanzees in Cy’s group to come into the playrooms so we could rescue a garter snake that had wandered into The Riverview Greenhouse. The entire squad came back inside without objections!
Lucky keeping an eye on the elusive serpent before the recall signal:
Willy B also received banana reward; he is still recovering from his recent procedure but heard the bell and probably would have cooperated if given the chance!
Willy watching the commotion while eating his complimentary snack:
Of course, one way for a chimp to beat the system is to voluntarily stay close to the Chimp House, ready to receive a free banana for staying exactly where they already wanted to be.
Negra has perfected this art:
tomaustin says
Negra does have a system……………………:grinning:
CarolR says
Tom, it’s called…..My Way! Always works for her!
CeeCee says
Oh Negra, It’s good to be Queen.:revolving_hearts:
Linda C says
his “complimentary snack”! love it!
Lucky has been scrapping?
Went on a hike this weekend followed by Southwick’s. Never knew it was there. Enclosure is okay for the chimps, but not do great for visitors without binoculars. And I had shown up with my best playface! :pensive: A staff member near them chatted with us, and gave me the history of the place, and I realized it’s a privately run. And maybe I’ve got issues with how they started. Or operate currently. But it was a nice weather day
Anthony says
It was a scrap! All nine of the individuals in that group were involved in the same fight that led to Willy B’s trip to the clinic! Honey B, Lucky, Mave and Terry all emerged with lacerations and abrasions, including the cut on Lucky’s eyebrow. They’re all healing up nicely now.
I’ve never been to Southwick’s! I hope the animals are cared for well. I occasionally visit zoos and aquariums just to learn more about how they’re designed and operated, so maybe I’ll check that one out when I visit New England again.
Linda C says
Their coats all looked nice and glossy. It was about 12:30, and they were getting fruit inside frozen water bottles as enrichment, so lunch must have been earlier. The only thing that makes me wonder is they said a previous chimp they had, they had her until she was 52, and she started life as their pet….:slight_frown: This group includes a father and mother and a 13 year old daughter. No other chimps. So I questioned the socialization aspect, but most of the animals do look like they are well-cared-for. They have several real trees on their rock to climb on, although the enclosure is the size of the courtyard. The only thing is you cannot get within 50′ of them to see them. Apparently, one of them has very good aim. :smile:it’s a massive private zoo.
Kathleen says
A bell, shouting “recall”, an excuse to run from those scary snakes, and a big banana reward…now I see how it works. I did wonder how you could call them all in. Well, all but the wise and cozy Negra. And I’m happy to see Willy B with his banana too!
Lucky looks so calm as she checks out the slithery intruder. Not even an alarm call out of her?
Anthony says
Honey B was the first to notice the snake and vocalized nervously to alert everyone. Rayne was the most distressed by it and frantically asked all the chimps and humans for emotional support. Lucky and the others were relatively calm, cautiously watching the snake and curiously watching Rayne’s reaction.