As I have taken on more responsibilities as a part of the CSNW team after my initial training, I have taken on the role of Enrichment Coordinator from Chad as he moves into a new position within the team. I started out by working to add new food puzzles to our existing enrichment, which has been especially rewarding as we get to watch the chimps’ problem-solve new puzzles and have even greater variety in their daily lives! I recently finished making “fishing buckets” for the chimps, which is a 5-gallon bucket with several holes cut into the sides and chain covered in firehose attached to the bucket to allow it to hang from the caging. We can put a variety of goodies in the bottom of the bucket which allows for even more variation in their daily food puzzles (things like applesauce, mashed potatoes, etc.) then hang the bucket from the outside of the caging. The chimps then must use tools (often a bamboo stick) to maneuver the goodies out of the bucket and into their mouths.
In today’s video, you can see Lucky’s group trying out these new food puzzles for the first time. Lucky herself was particularly careful and precise when using her bamboo stick tool, and seemed to enjoy these puzzles a lot as she continued to work on them throughout the afternoon, and even came back to them after dinner.
Enjoy a bonus photo series of Annie brushing her teeth with a giant toothbrush!
