As caregivers, there is a lot going on all around us. We often catch quick glimpses of fun, sweet, or playful interactions between the chimps or even with caregivers. Today, I thought I would share just a few of the infinite special interactions we see throughout the day at the sanctuary or if we are lucky enough, get to be apart of.
Throughout the week, caregivers will often stumble upon a sweet grooming session, goofy play match, or someone being mischievous (aka Honey B). Last Saturday, something so funny and spectacular happened. It honestly might be one of my favorite moments with Honey B thus far, and there are a lot of favorite memories with Honey B. I was trying to to serve Willy B pudding, which was laced with meds, because well Willy B is a hard chimp to give meds to and pudding is usually a last stitch effort (a Hail Mary if you will). In attempt to increase my odds of Willy B taking his meds, I offered non-med pudding to everyone else so Willy B wouldn’t question his pudding (it worked like a charm). Sometimes if he knows we added meds to it, he will refuse. While I was offering Dora pudding, she swiped the spoon quickly and walked away. Honey B came over to me right as Dora walked away because it was her turn for pudding! I asked her if she could get the spoon from Dora because I had no other way to serve it. Honey B had no problem kindly taking the spoon from her friend Dora’s hand and returned it to me promptly so we could continue :).
There are so many amazing moments, I hope you enjoy the video 🙂
Bonus photos from Foxie’s party yesterday!
Jamie very proud of her collection of pineapples bowls:
Annie’s sweet face full of pineapple:
Missy enjoying her pineapple:
More bonus photos!
Missy watching her friends go out on Young’s Hill this morning:
Negra holding one of Foxie’s new dolls in her pelvic pocket:
Negra nesting this morning:
Foxie with her new orange blossom:
The brilliance of Honey B! Nice job at the last ditch creative approach! Hope Willy B is going to be ok!
Bubba does indeed have a loud laugh!
Thanks for capturing and sharing all of these, Kelsi!
Honey B is one smart cookie, I love everything about her. It was so nice to Annie playing today, quite entertaining to watch too.
Ounce again thank you for those amazing photos and the video. It’s like you make me feel that much closer to your sanctuary and being part of something wonderful. How obliging of Honey B to return the spoon to you! As you say its “moments like this” that make your time at the sanctuary so very special. Happy chimps
happy life. Bless you all.
Very special moments indeed…..Honey B showing how smart she is once again. Isn’t it amazing that without a common language, you all understand each other so brilliantly! Great to see Annie playing so much too….just look at the shine on her coat. She’s one happy, healthy chimp.
I have always loved Honey B’s face and eyes!! She is one sweet looking chimp. 🙂
Honey B coming to your rescue to retrieve the spoon reminded me of Jody and the way she would clear blankets away from a doorway when asked (always the den mother). Reflecting on the old debate around chimpanzees using ASL and sign language that concluded great apes did not have the capacity to communicate/understand language (linguistic arguments of perfect syntax), after watching you and Honey B I’d say who needs perfect syntax when just a few words and a smile will do. Message was received loud and clear! Way to go Honey B!
I just melted watching Annie play with Burrito and Foxie. Makes me want to ask if Annie is usually just a Missy person. We all know how much she adores her Missy.
I also love the way Burrito adjusts his play style to the personality of his playmate. He seems to have a very specific play depending on the lady he plays with, proving he’s so much more than just a silly goofball. He’s a smart, thoughtful fellow.
It mdw me think it’s a good thing she’s not living with Jamie. Jamie probably would teach her to make a shiv with that spoon!
I think even you carers were gobsmacked :open_mouth: – right?
One of my nerdy ‘hangups’ is to collect videos of primates :monkey_face: behaving extraordinary clever (from a human perspective)! This one goes into the collection!:slight_smile:
Honey B didn’t hesitate one second what the issue was! ?:spoon::monkey_face: