Chimpanzees thrive on routine.
Of course, we don’t want every day to be exactly the same for them. As caregivers, we strive to provide the chimps with an enrichment program that balances variety and predictability, which is a never-ending challenge. The result is that we work hard each day to facilitate a range of new experiences for the chimpanzees within the framework of a regular schedule. Knowing what’s going to happen next helps the chimps to plan ahead, make choices, and be agents of their own comfort and happiness.
With so many new events occurring at the sanctuary, sticking to a familiar routine also seems to help the chimps adjust to each change. For example, even though Jamie and the Girl Gang are now residing in a previously unfamiliar area of the Chimp House, we still provide them with their favorite enrichment items at the same time each morning, serve their meals on the same schedule, and open the hydraulic gate each day so that they can explore Young’s Hill.
We’ve had some perfect fall weather for the past few days, and the Girl Gang (Annie, Foxie, Jamie, Jody and Missy) have been eagerly spending time outdoors. Just this weekend, J.B. and a group of committed volunteers built a new multi-level wooden structure on Young’s Hill. As Kelsi noted yesterday, the females were quick to investigate this new addition to their habitat. Even though nobody modified or enhanced the structure overnight, the girls needed some extra time today to reacquaint themselves with the new tower.
The new structure is located near the entryway into the chute. Now that they’re in the new area, Jamie and the others access Young’s Hill via the chute and therefore begin their patrols over on the southeast corner of the enclosure. Even though their patrols no longer start over by the Greenhouse door, they still walk in the same clockwise direction as they have since they first started exploring the Hill almost a decade ago. I have never seen them patrol in a counterclockwise direction. Just a few days ago, I jokingly asked J.B. if we could try to get Jamie to walk counterclockwise around the Hill with us. He dryly answered “No. You can’t do that.” We agreed that Jamie has a routine and it would be a crime to disrupt it.
So, when I opened the hydraulic door and the chimps hustled out of the chute onto the Hill, the unthinkable happened.
Anna and I were quite stunned when all five of the females started plodding their way uphill along the southeastern boundary of the enclosure. Missy led the charge, of course, but Jamie seemed a bit apprehensive about the whole thing. She started to follow the others, then fell behind, and was soon looking back at Anna (who was watching the events unfold from outside the electrified fence).
Sure enough, Jamie returned to the bottom of the slope and began to patrol in her normal clockwise pattern, gesturing at Anna to follow along. She encountered the others about halfway up the northwestern boundary and it was hella awkward. As Jamie trudged past each of the others, they had to stop and greet each other with a touch and a chimp kiss. Then they all just stood there, lined up along the fence, and watched her defiantly continue up the slope on her own.
Jamie seemed a little off after that, because she abandoned her patrol, ditched Anna in favor of the Twister, and cut straight through the bamboo forest on her way back to the chute. Jamie can handle wildfires, social integrations and even snakes, but going counterclockwise around the Hill is too much.
This exemplifies the power of routine. Some chimps, such as Jamie, have personalities that seem to thrive on discipline and repetition. She likes to be in control. She did three patrols today, walking at the same pace in the same clockwise direction using the same path. The other four females, who tend to be more easygoing, didn’t seem scared by the idea of hiking the trail backwards.
Of course, there is the possibility that Jamie, like Derek Zoolander, cannot turn left. Let’s not rule that out.
Worried about Burrito how is he. Not much has been said about him.
Oh, what a chuckle filled glimpse of an unusual event! I can just imagine how Hella awkward it was to meet Jamie going up as they were coming down!
Thanks,
Julie
I love your chimps, and I look forward to your stories and pics everyday. Today’s story made me smile. Wish I could observe them in person. So cool how you have been able to portray their unique personalities. Great work that you do….appreciate it.
My 2 rabbit boys understand Jaime.they love routine too.they like their breakfasts& treats at the same time of the day& they don’t like me moving their cardboard houses& sheets in a different location.It brings them security& safety& ease.All my rabbits are rescues& they like control too.whatever brings them that peace& security I love to do it for them.Thats 2hat I am here for.i love hearing about the chimps& their new free lives.thank you!
Lynne, have you seen the YouTube video of 5he bunny who gets mad when its owner throws toy keys into its cage, “messing up” its orderly nest? Pretty funny
This is incredible. And I never stopped to consider that yes, patrols always start from the left where the humans enter the other side of the fence of Young’s Hill and go clockwise up, over, and down the hill. Never dawned on me that Jamie has never walked counter clockwise from another vantage point. All I can say is todays story is just one more reason for me to love Jamie even more. Why should you mess with a good thing?
I also wonder if the other girls felt as if they were ‘disappointing’ Jamie by going in the opposite direction. Thanks Anthony for capturing the collision and for the commentary.
PS: Where in the world did you purchase the red boomer ball with the holes in it?! I have been looking for those but it appears the manufacturer no longer makes them. Believe it or not they also make wonderful enrichment for dogs in shelters, especially the lovable, playful pit bull dogs. And you can fill them with treats so the goodies roll out as you play with the ball. (I bet you do this with the chimps too?)
Chewy.com.(though maybe not exactly the sane)
Thanks Linda but it is a specific ‘boomer ball’ made by Unbreakoball. It is super strong so heavy demolition chewers (like some pit bulls) can’t destroy it. And clearly neither can chimps, so that says something about how durable these balls are. But the ball was discontinued. : ( It is funny how shelters, sanctuaries, and zoos use some of the same enrichments toys.
Lol, all the shelters and zoos should get together and demand more! Sigh, kind of like the Toyota Tercel…so durable, people weren’t buying replacement cars, so Toyota killed it’s own best thing.
Well done, Anthony! If I hadn’t seen your by-line, I’d have thought this wonderfully humorous post came from J.B.! 😀
But poor Jamie. She must be feeling quite insecure. I’m beginning to wonder if chimps can be afflicted with autism, because she she seems to have many of the (high-functioning) characteristics.
This post made my day. Hopefully the rest of the Girl Gang will set their clocks back to clockwise in time for Jamieween.
It is amazing again how the chimps know exactly what they want and when and how to accomplish it. Some things make me laugh for sure and some remind me of humans all too often – doing the same old
things as the chimps. I love reading the blogs. I am a bit behind for sure but eventually I will catch up.
Thank you all for the blogs and saving the chimps.
Oh I am just so amazed at these incredible chimps every time I read a blog, their individual personalities and how they process change and go about their daily routines, or NOT :-), I am sure that Jamie has been deep in thought since the backwards event as are the others who are surely contemplating which direct to go tomorrow. Thank you for all of the wonderful insight in to this expanding group, hearing of their challenges, successes and tender moments is truly wonderful.
What a great post Anthony! Just so enlightening and enjoyable. Thanks for the education and humor. Smiled all the way through.