Annie has been wearing a yellow elastic headband around her waist for the past week. This makes us happy because it’s her choice and it seems to make her happy. The headband is part of the daily enrichment we offer to the chimps, which also includes blankets, dolls, scarves, socks, hats, boots, wooden toys, plastic tools, toothbrushes, nail files, bags, buckets, stuffed animals, books, magazines, paper, and anything else we think they might enjoy that’s safe for them to have. The chimps are free to use, destroy, or ignore these items in any way they see fit.
Most people are used to seeing chimpanzees wearing clothing because chimps used in movies, television shows, commercials, and print advertisements have traditionally been forced (and often duct-taped) into clothes against their will for the purpose of entertaining humans (or selling products).
At CSNW, Annie’s only job is to be herself.
She looks very content!
So happy to see the photo of our beautiful girl and her yellow headband. What fun!?
Duct-taping a chimpanzee into clothes in order to get a cheap laugh: how appalling. Humans, after all, are the only animals who need to wear clothing because we are the weakest, and lowliest, of creatures.
Of course, Annie’s natural attire — her beautiful coat of black fur — makes a winning fashion statement as well. Perhaps she sees the human primates at CSNW wearing clothing and is curious to know what that’s like…(just an idle speculation)…
As for a Beatles’ tune which might fit Annie, given her devotion to Missy, I think that “Got to Get You into My Life” seems fitting.
I agree with you!
“At CSNW, Annie’s only job is to be herself.” <3
Anne you have made my day! Love you!