It’s no revelation to say that Jamie is a unique individual. Each of the chimpanzees are, of course. Jamie makes her wants and needs known each and every day in no uncertain terms. She isn’t always an easy person to be around, but she is a delight, a surprise and a mystery all at once. And some days, a little extra so.
I’m sure in no small part due to Jamie’s early childhood history of having been raised living in a human home with a trainer until the age of nine, her extreme intelligence, curiosity, willpower and general “Jamie-ness” were set on a path to blossom in ways they wouldn’t have otherwise. And through no fault of her own, the natural consequence of an unnatural situation, many of those ways tend to be very human oriented. We certainly wish for her that this hadn’t been the case. That she’d been born allowed to live her life as her wild-living brethren. But one thing I know for certain about Jamie is that regardless of the path her life took and the lack of choices she had in the matter, she is herself through and through. And I couldn’t admire or love her more for it.
Our volunteer caregiver, Miranda, went out to serve the chimps lunch in the greenhouse and a few minutes later she radioed to ask, “Do you know where Jamie is? She’s not here for lunch.” Well, that’s something that makes you stop what you’re doing and go to find Jamie. Immediately. I assumed she was involved in a DIY project or perhaps, supervising the construction from Young’s Hill. As I quickly strolled down the human hallway on my way outside I stopped short upon finding her in the front rooms on top of her beloved barrel, cowboy boot nestled in her hip pocket, looking sleepy and showing zero interest in heading out to lunch. Now if you know chimps, you know that they do not want to miss mealtime. So I sat with her a few minutes trying to determine if she wasn’t feeling well, or if perhaps she’d gotten overheated having just made staff caregiver, Anna, walk around Young’s Hill on this extra hot summer day and needed time to cool off.
After checking in with her, I decided to go and collect her lunch and bring it back inside and drop it in the food chute for her in the hopes she’d eat. Well! She spun around on her barrel, began hooting and breathy panting with me in excitement. I could barely breathe by the time we were done with all the breathy panting. Finally, continuing to recline on her barrel, she dug into her private lunch service, low moaning, food grunting and occasionally hooting, the entire meal. She wanted to dine in the privacy of the cooler front rooms at her leisure. As she should.
After lunch, I passed out a few plain ol’ ice cubes for everyone to enjoy, along with an offer of a small breeze from the handheld mister fan. Jody and Annie lowered their heads and then spun around and presented their backs for a quick misting. Foxie was, as I knew she would be, incensed that I would even offer to do such a thing and declined the offer. But Jamie in particular loves the fan and couldn’t get enough of it. She spent several minutes having me mist and fan her while she cooled off with her ice cubes.
Once everyone dozed off for their routine after lunch nap, I strolled through to check on them. And there was Jamie. Wrapped in a cool sheet, foot on her shopping basket, nestled in with her favorite boot du jour and magazines. At once, and always, her own person. As she was born to be. As it always should have been. And just as we love her.
Linda says
Haha, Katelyn, I think “extra”, in its contemporary usage, describes Jamie perfectly!
I think of the future of poor little Limbani, who is being raised in what I think is a similar environment, so that park visitors can get a photo opp with him. Cute as a button now, but….sigh!
Katelyn says
Yes, Limbani’s situation is very sad. It’s a good example of why it can be confusing for people to understand, or even know to question, the difference between true (and even just accredited) sanctuaries and facilities, as well as genuine conservation efforts. I think as public awareness grows regarding the importance of providing captive animals the opportunity to engage in species specific behaviors and environments, individualized care, and allowing them as much agency over their lives as possible, people will continue to take pause and seek information as they make choices of which organizations to support.
Judy says
Glorious… and very very interesting! Thank you Katelyn…
Kathleen says
Peel me a grape! This was a delightful read Katelyn and I hated to reach the ending. Thank you! Your comment about Foxie being incensed over the offer for a spa treatment misting slayed me. Jamie is an enigma. Geez I love her so, exactly because she is, well, Jamie!
Jackie says
Thank you for the very interesting post.
Karen says
Wonderful post Katelyn. Jamie is the most amazing chimp. Do you guys ever freeze fruits for the chimps? On a hot day, I love frozen grapes- so cool in the mouth like a delicious desert. I had no idea it got so hot in Cle Elum. Thanks for the educational and interesting post.
Katelyn says
Thank you, Karen! Yes, we do serve some frozen fruits occasionally. We moved away from serving larger pieces of frozen fruit because Negra has a very sensitive gag reflex. We do freeze berries, however, or add a few to ice cubes sometimes or even make shaved ice (frozen grapes surprisingly make the BEST shaved ice!). We’re cautious of the chimps’ sugar intake so how much fruit they’ve had in a day usually determines what’s in any ice treat. 🙂
Chris says
It would be interesting to know if the person that “owned” Jamie for those first 9 years had a lot of shoes, boots lying around that Jamie, perhaps was allowed to play with… Was she put into biomedical research after that or the entertainment industry? I can’t even imagine her sheer boredom and rage during those years but she is sure making up for it now in her beloved sanctuary home.
She is a force that’s for sure and was never owned by anyone regardless of what they thought! Jamie is and always will be, her very, own, person! Just try and tell her otherwise! 🙂
Linda says
I don’t think we’ll ever know, but another theory I have is that because she’s more human-centered than chimp centered, maybe she identifies with the people running the show…and people who work with animals and in lans often have footwear requirements. Animals notice more than we know…wanna get the attention of those sleepy lions at the zoo? Wear a shoe with a heel that makes noise, walk with purpose, and take out/jingle your keys. They’ll at least look up.
Whoever it was, you’re right-they certainly were an influence…like the way Foxie likes dolls, Annie likes bare feet, and Neggie likes people to dance for her-we’ll never know.
Katelyn says
Hi Linda,
Animals definitely notice everything, don’t they? Nothing gets by the chimps. A new haircut, new clothing, new jewelry, your mood – they notice it all. And interesting thought. I’m quite sure that Jamie also identifies herself as more human than chimp given how she was raised, so I imagine a lot of unique situations contribute to her amazing thought processes.:)
Katelyn says
Hi Chris,
Yes, Jamie was put into biomedical research afterward. I can’t even imagine how horrifying and confusing that must have been for her. We don’t know much about her trainer, but it’s very likely that someone, somewhere along the way, wore boots which Jamie appears to have a positive association from. As Linda mentioned, it’s unlikely we’ll ever know for sure. But we are certainly glad they bring her so much joy.
Debi says
Jamie is certainly a force to be reckoned with, & I find all her humanlike quirks especially endearing…Now here’s a chimp who definitely “walks & watches” with a purpose…This beloved girl certainly is her own person now, & that’s why she is so very lovable…( Just like her six family members…)
Katelyn, I always enjoy your photos & posts so very much…I love the down to e
Katelyn says
Thank you, Debi, that’s so kind! We appreciate you following the chimps’ lives so much! 🙂