Follower Diana K asked: How do the chimps react when they see the cattle, BK, deer, coyote, dogs, squrriels, rabbits, etc?
Excellent question Diana! And the answer is… it depends on the chimp(s) involved and the creature they see, also the proximity of that creature to the chimps can make a big difference in the chimps’ reaction! In general, the chimpanzees are very territorial of their space and will frequently patrol their outdoor enclosure to make sure all is in order. If they see something outside their enclosure that they deem to be an intruder, they will often try to intimidate that creature and scare them away.
Exhibit A: Chimps vs. horses
Sometimes it’s not so simple though. Here Jamie investigates from afar, newcomer Benny Dog who is being walked by JB.
Many of you may remember Ellie the Elk was a common face at the sanctuary for a few years. Since Ellie was extremely comfortable around humans, she wasn’t as easy to intimidate, and the chimps became familiar with her presence:
The cows are very familiar around here as well and are met with a bit of curiosity when they change pastures but are otherwise completely ignored.
Since George is the newest member of the sanctuary, he is still getting used to what “normal” is. You can see in this video he chases off some neighborhood deer. The deer are very common sights around here and are generally ignored by everyone else.
Smaller animals such as squirrels, marmots and Barn Kitty don’t seem to be of much interest to the chimps…
So long as those small animals stay out of the chimpanzees’ enclosure… It’s a totally different story if they find their way into the chimps’ territory. While Barn Kitty (BK) smartly keeps his distance, other animals such as marmots and squirrels have not been so lucky.
Snakes of course, are enemy #1 to the chimps. Alarm calls and a dispatch crew are called for in these situations:
Crows seem to use the chimpanzees existence to their advantage. They love to get first dibs on an outdoor forage:
Thievery is met with chasing:
Occasionally the chimps will see more unusual sanctuary visitors like coyotes or bobcat. These strange intruders can understandably be off-putting to the chimps.
Here Negra reacts in alarm to a coyote she spotted on the property:
In other news:
Diana looked so cute, skipping in the first video. What was up with Cy and that dance he was doing? Oh my gosh, I don’t remember seeing video of George meeting Willy B! Of course boss Jamie is the big, bad snake evicter!
I, too, was going to compliment Diana on her horse gallop down the hill! :slight_smile:and I had also forgotten that Willy B met George. Amazing how relaxed he was with Willie B! I hope that bodes well for the integration in the future, with only Terry and Gordo being his willing victims. When it comes to snake hunting, Foxie whacking them with her dolls cannot be left unnoticed!
A fine point about Miss Foxy Lady, as I call her!
Wow that was so fun to watch all those video’s, I think I had seen most of them before, but great to revisit, and I don’t remember that funny one with Jamie and Ellie. Thank you :revolving_hearts:
Ellie’s reaction there was funny. Jamie threw dirt and Ellie looked at JB as if to say “what do I do with this?”
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, anna! So George has met Mave and you reminded us that he has met Willy B and seemed pretty comfortable there! Does this mean Honey B is the only one he has not met? or have I forgotten that, too? if I have, my friends are going to be scared, the day has arrived when my memory failed:smile:
Thanks Anna for a variety of video clips of The Wildlife around cs&w. Most I had seen but never that clip of Ellie.
And thanks for the NAPSA zoom info tomorrow.
I always love the fact that whenever we ask a question, like Diana asking about the chimps’ reaction on seeing other animals on their property, you always go to great lengths to supply the answers. From this amazing collection of video clips – and the varied reactions of the chimps – it’s clear to see that any “outsider” on or near the property gets very close scrutiny and I guess it’s totally understandable as it’s their property and it’s worth protecting also their well being. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I remember the video of the horses getting loose. Ellie! I think of her often and I do miss seeing her patrolling with everyone. Little Benny charmed Jamie proving she’s a softy at her core. This is a great post, a nudge to enjoy past memories and current (George!) progress. From George’s perspective, the gang next door might be considered wild intruders!
As for frogs, we all know that Neggie occasionally enjoys a snack of fresh frog legs!
Followed up with a bird chaser!
That was a wonderful blog Anna, thank you for all that hard work to get the material together for us. A trip down memory lane; the horses, Ellie, Benny….
And then recent intruders: a beautiful bobcat wow!
O ur George is quit the jumper isn’t he? Very impressive.
I was thinking that maybe you can set up an obstacle course in both enclosures, side by side and have George race against Missy??
That would be interesting to see who is the fastest and most agile of the two…:rofl:
I have a question that I hope one of the staff will answer. I do not see Negra out on the property, often, if, at all. Does she prefer to stay inside?
Negra does go outside but less frequently than her groupmates.
I want to praise George’s, amazing, speed! He is, very, fast, and, I love to hear his, galloping, noise. Also, who is the, adorable, chimp who pointed, with an, outstreched, arm, for help wih the snake? And, who is the, adorable, chimp who kept slapping the book with a picture of a snake on it?
And, I would like to kow who of the chimps was tryig to toss the snake out of the property?
And, I would like to know who was tryig to toss the snake out of the property?
I think it was Jamie