Touch is an integral part of being a chimpanzee. It builds relationships – through grooming, play, embraces, reassurance during a fight or time of stress. It also strains those same relationships – through contact aggression during fights (biting, hitting, kicking), or even the withholding of reassurance from another chimpanzee.
Through it all, physical contact is a basic and important part of being a chimpanzee (and a human). As a human though, touch is generally not so risky. Let’s say you meet someone new, you’re likely to introduce yourself and shake their hand. Touch. But in that moment of shaking hands, you’re probably not worried about the potential of the other person biting off one of your fingers. At least I hope not! Chimps put incredible trust in each other each day, and especially upon meeting new friends. I have witnessed many introductions where chimpanzees meet each other for the very first time, and tentatively approach one another, often with a fear grimace in anticipation (and likely some fear as well), and display an immense amount of trust in this complete stranger by putting their hand in the stranger’s mouth in greeting. Chimps are strong and can be unpredictable, so this show of trust in a stranger is immense. It has amazed me every time I have seen it, knowing chimpanzees and their tendency to settle disputes in a very straightforward manner – by fighting it out. But then, often as quick as it began, the fight is over, they reconcile, and this too is amazing.
I have been thinking about this topic a lot as I have gotten my start as a caregiver here at CSNW. I have found that trust does not come so easily for me. At my former job, we were not allowed any physical contact with the chimpanzees in our care, so it has been an adjustment for me learning how to safely have physical contact with the chimpanzees here at CSNW, and even more so just allowing myself to do so! We learn how to do several different types of protected physical contact with the chimps, which in most part involves allowing them to touch us. We can accept kisses from them on the back of our hand, let them touch or groom the back of our hand, elbow, or knee, and can use our knuckle to rub them when they press their body fully against the caging, so our knuckle does not go through the caging and is protected from potential grabby fingers or chompy teeth.
On day 1 of my learning how to do these new (to me) types of interactions with the chimps, sweet, wonderful Terry was the most patient and kind teacher. Even though I was still mostly a stranger to Terry, he sat and carefully groomed the back of my hand, gave it a kiss, then let me rub his arm with my knuckle. Touch. Friendship. Connection.
It is not so easy with everyone, though – people and chimps included. Understandably, all of the chimps are not so ready to befriend the strangers. They already have human friends, thank you very much! Honey B has been an especially tough cookie to crack, but I keep hoping for a breakthrough. This brings me back to trust. I don’t currently have much when it comes to Ms. B and having physical contact interactions. She is a well known trickster (and we love her for it!), so it can be hard to know when she is genuinely seeking touch and connection in a friendly manner, or trying to draw you into a hilarious prank (for her). These pranks often include spitting whatever she has in her mouth onto her unsuspecting victim, quite the surprise when you were anticipating quality time with her!
I recently was able to have a very sweet and rewarding grooming session with Honey B, where she was very excitedly involved in her grooming task, and very sweet to me throughout. She carefully groomed the back of my hand with her finger, looking for any scratches or imperfections in need of some attention. In this moment, and many others I have had here at the sanctuary already, I felt very fortunate to have this form of connection and bonding with my chimpanzee friends here. It allows for another level of relationship building and the formation of trust from the caregiver in the chimpanzee, versus many other occasions where the chimps have to put trust in us as their caregivers (for example, trusting when we close doors to allow for cleaning that we will not hit them with the doors, or that we will do our best to respect their hierarchy when serving their meals and not cause tension or fighting by serving a low ranking chimpanzee like Annie right next to a high ranking chimpanzee like Jamie). It is very rewarding to be able to connect with our chimpanzee friends in this way, and a privilege I will always be grateful for. I’m looking forward to more interactions and relationship-building to come!
And on to something completely different…we would like to send our thanks to Nancy D. for buying a pink horse wearable blanket for the chimps from our Comfort & Joy Auction! We set it up along with some other blankets and boxes for Cy’s group today, and Honey B was quick to investigate. Please enjoy this series of Honey B vs pink horse blanket…no surprise here, Honey B was the winner!
As sweet as a Neggie kiss must be, winning over the.”tough nuts to crack” like Jamie and Honey B must feel even more triumphant! No worries, Ellen! Soon, you’ll be so trusted, you’ll be babysitting for Foxie on Katelyn’s days off!
It must have been really strange to touch Jodi when she was sick and at the end of life? i renember a blog about being able to touch her.
it will all come together in time. enjoy the ride.
What an interesting and rewarding gift for the CSNW chimps to have a new person (and over time all the many new people) to explore the interactions with, feel, smell, vibes of etc… It must be like reading a new book or kindergarten, or the first day of high school……. Win win for everyone!
Hi Ellen! This was an excellent post, thank you for sharing your insight on building relationships with the chimps. I have wondered what it feels like to form friendships with them and earn their trust. I think of Jamie and her penchant for tossing undesirable matter while you are there trying to enrich her daily routine. What does it all feel like from her perspective?
As a new comer, it must be challenging for both parties. For someone new to enter their home, someone known, familiar and perhaps very much loved had to leave them. It must be hard for them on some level. And for the new replacement staff member or volunteer, starting new must be difficult. So much to learn. And yet, you have these beautiful faces looking at you and a desire to know each one better. Each individual with so many details to get to know. The privilege of being accepted and as you stated, cared for by them. (That was a new perspective for me. It made me say “Wow” out loud. Gives me chills just thinking of being in that position.) What an incredible job you have!
I didn’t realize some sanctuaries do not allow safe/protected contact. While having contact means being vigilant to the rules, how wonderful to be able to participate in a grooming, or a soft touch of reassurance, or a sweet Neggie kiss. Sigh. I think not being able to so would be frustrating. It’s in our nature.
Thanks again, I really enjoyed this. It made me think! And Honey B with the pink horse blanket made me laugh!
Oh how I envy you just being in their presence and then accepted and ultimately cared for.
A lovely and very informative post, thank you.
I was surprised also that other sanctuaries had a no touching policy. I would just love to have my hand kissed by my girl Honey B and have a little chat with her. What I would give to know what goes on in that crafty mind of hers.
Thanks Ellen for your interesting blog today, it seems that you are doing a great job. I’m happy that Honey B seemed interested in the pink Horse Blanket
And thanks Nancy for the blanket. i’m sure you were ‘tickled pink’ to see your Honey B with it.
Maybe it’s because they’re so large that they have to have a thousand more volunteers, and it’s hard to clarify/watch over all. Better to just say NO touching, avoid injuries that way. Thank you, Nancy! I always love seeing them use something I’ve sent!