Jamie chimpanzee is a person with many talents. One of her extraordinary skills happens to be an almost total awareness of her surroundings. Not many things slip by her. She regulates all activities at the sanctuary, and makes sure everyone knows about it. While Jamie can’t actually access places like the highway, neighboring houses, and the sanctuary parking lot, she knows just where to go in her domain to get the best views of all the goings on.
Looking out the barn doors, Jamie can see part of the garden and the trailer that houses the sanctuary’s clinic.
When she enters the portrait studio, Jamie has a good line of site on the kitchen with the parking lot and barn out the window beside her.
And let’s not forget about the 360 degree panorama views out on the Young’s Hill structures!
Sometimes she can be quite stealthy about her surveillance, often appearing out of what seems like thin air to put an end to an interaction that caregivers might be having with one of the other chimps. Today I caught her keeping a watchful eye on caregiver Lizz as she played chase with Burrito.
I’ve never thought too much about her diligent supervision until last Saturday, when she alerted us of the brush fire that had broken out on a hill not too far from the sanctuary. At that moment, I was very thankful to know such a dedicated governor as Jamie chimpanzee.
Every time you guys post something, I get another, richer view of the chimps. And you have such a depth of knowledge about them as individuals, like this blog about Jamie, that so helps. What I would like to know is how Jamie let you know about the fire…..
Thanks! Keep up the good work!! J.
We are pretty attune to any of their behavior changes and there was a lot of unusual vocalizing going on in the playroom where the chimps were hanging out. We checked it out and Jamie was trying to stretch and crane her neck to get a better look at the plume of smoke that was building.
Just curious, but how did she alert you?? Was she vocalizing, calling attention?
Thanks!
T
The chimps were vocalizing a lot in a slightly unusual way for that time and Jamie was craning her neck to try and get a better look at the plume of smoke.
I remember when the chimps started vocalising when they saw a picture of a snake in a new book. You said Jamie keeps a close eye on some interactions between the chimps and the staff. Is she on the same side each time, or will she actually be able to detect which one should be scolded? Also, we know Negra spends most of her time laying in her blankets and usually doesn’t pay attention to the others. Is there different vocalising that would let her know “danger”?
Thanks for keeping us up to date!!????????
Jamie always makes sure the humans know their place at the bottom of the hierarchy. Negra sleeps a lot, but she is definitely aware of the other chimps and their vocalizations. Good questions!
All I can think about is how amazing Jamie would have been if she were born into the wild to live a natural, wild life in Africa. No doubt she would be an alpha female and instrumental to her group. Just look how important she is to all of you! You are lucky to have her and she is so lucky to have all of you. I hope one of the fire fighters came in close so Jamie could check out their boots!!????
She is a force.