Supporter Monica Best has taken sponsoring a day of sanctuary to a whole new level. Four years ago she declared April 23 Love a Chimpanzee Day and has sponsored the day every year since then. (Today also happens to be Monica’s birthday!) Love a Chimpanzee Day 2013 began with a breakfast of pears, strawberries, lemons, fruit smoothie, and peanuts (Negra’s favorite) in the greenhouse, followed by some adventures on Young’s Hill. After we cleaned the playroom we decked out the place in streamers and lots of fluffy blankets and watched Jody settle down into a nest.
I love to watch Jody nest. She first does a sweep of the area to collect any unclaimed blankets, then drags them all to her chosen spot. (Sometimes she grabs more than she can carry and drops some on the way.) Then she sits down and arranges the blankets into a fluffy throne around her. When she’s satisfied with her work, she gets to her feet and then dives headfirst into the nest, usually making what we affectionately call her “dinosaur noise,” a low moan of contentment. Jody doesn’t typically go out of her way to play with enrichment, but if there happens to be some near her nest she’ll inspect it lazily.
Once she’s settled, she stretches and wriggles from side to side until she’s totally content.
Thanks, Monica!
Oh, wow ! Me, oh my ! I absolutely love ,love, love these amazing images of my dear chimp, Jody.
She is absolutely PRECIOUS! Jody is very SPECIAL to me.
I love to see her BE so at peace with herself, and within.
What I value, and love most is
how Jody has the POWER, and FREEDOM, and the AUTHORITY, to make HER OWN CHOICES.. I think she probably finds so much satisfaction in doing so,,
Staff/Caregivers, describe it so very well, as to how Jody ENJOYS CREATING her own VIBE, and her own space. that perpetuates a meditative Zen state of nest making.
It is a very creative process, chimps typically make their nests in their very own unique manner, even though its the same activity , each one has her own method and style, its an entire procedure or production .. It fills my heart with such an elation and joy.
It also makes me think and feel for all the pain and torment, she endured and suffered at the hands of rednecks, who literally ENJOYED abusing, and tormenting Jody and all the other lab chimps.
5 years ago to now,, Jody is unrecognizable-
from before, and after, to now, WOW..
obviously, sanctuary retirement is EFFECTIVE!
I can’t help but notice her little body and frame, she is AGING, she is so delicate , yet so strong to have endured all those years of pain, heartache, and torment.. I can understand why Jody loves to nest and just RELAX and CHILL ..
Jody is BEAUTIFUL.
I totally love Jody. she is the first chimp, I fell in love with,, but then one by one Burrito and Negra also took up residency in my heart as did Foxie
Annie,Missy and Jamie..
THANK YOU, ELIZABTH, for such lovely pics of Jody, and for your wonderfully written account of Jody .. She truly is a remarkable lady, chimp person ! and so are you, for loving the chimps , as you all do.
Their overall sense of well being, and happiness is very much in part to how much, and how well, you folks all take such excellent care of them.
they truly KNOW they are respected ,revered, and served.
Thank you.
I love the 7th photo of Jody. There all great, however, that photo is so sweet, and I would love to tickle that tummy. Along with Foxie, Jody is another one of my favorite gals. Thanks for sharing your insight, and wonderful photos.
ANY of the 7 would make a great poster chimp for “Love a Chimpanzee Day.”