Lizz is one of our long-time volunteers at the sanctuary (nearly 12 years)! She helps out at the chimp house for an entire weekend about once a month. She serves the chimps meals, cleans enclosures, and has very tight-knit relationships with the chimps. She does it all and is so so valuable to our team!
Lizz and Jamie grooming with a tool:
About 6 weeks ago, Lizz and I were cleaning Playroom 2 on Cy’s side of the building. She slipped and fell at one point and Gordo, who was asleep in the Playroom next door, woke up startled and screamed bloody murder. As you will see in the video above, even the other chimps have no idea what Gordo is responding to. Dora, Mave, Terry, and Honey B start running but they look confused as to why.
Ever since the fall, Gordo has been anti-Lizz. She’s been back a handful of times since and he has not let it go.
I’ll let Lizz tell you the whole story:
It was November 23rd, 2024. A day like any other. Jenna and I were scrubbing the upstairs in Playroom 2, discussing Thanksgiving plans when it happened… I fell. The hose caught on the railing. The resistance caused my foot to slide out behind me. I plopped onto my behind, the sprayer clanging on the floor. Gordo was startled awake, and then came the screaming. His reaction caught all of us off guard (chimps and humans alike). As you’ll see in the video, I don’t even get up right away – I am too shocked at the over the top reaction.
Since then, Gordo has been extremely leery of me. He keeps a close eye on where I am whenever possible, and maintains his distance, and if I walk into the part of the building he is in, he will become pilo, grimace and sometimes even scream. Prior to this, I had a very friendly relationship with him; we played a lot of chase, he would seek reassurance from me, and he’s even given me breathy pants/kisses. This shift in our dynamic is strange. I have been caregiving for chimpanzees for over a decade and have never had an experience quite like this one.
We did a little test today to see how he and I are getting along. Spoiler alert: it’s complicated.
This morning when I walked in alone to greet Gordo and Honey B, Gordo became pilo and walked to another room. When I walked in with Jenna, he immediately began screaming, and seeking reassurance from her, just like he had the day of the fall. At lunch, he was clearly on edge and pilo but took his meal from me, presented his back to me for reassurance in the form of knuckle rubs, and even gave me a breathy pant on my wrist. Suffice to say, we are making progress but he hasn’t forgiven or forgotten my fall just yet.
Why is he holding such a grudge? It’s impossible to say for sure. We do have some theories. Maybe the fall reminded him of someone, or something negative in his past. Maybe he had a bad dream. Maybe he likes the drama and attention when he has such a big reaction. Who knows. Chimps, like humans, are complex and sometimes odd critters.
I arrived today with a fresh pair of heavy duty boots. No more slipping on the floor for me. My plan is simple: I will win Gordo back over by playing it cool and never, ever, ever falling in front of him ever again.
