Last week J.B. got a video of Burrito’s Tug-o-war style. Well this week, Jamie and Foxie introduce us to their own take on the game.
The calm before a storm
As I write this blog, lightning is flashing and thunder rolling along the surrounding mountains near the sanctuary. Jamie of course, has convinced staff member Katelyn that this is the best possible time to go for a fast walk around Young’s Hill before the rain really hits.
This cooler weather made for a nice afternoon lunch forage (earlier before the storm hit). All the chimpanzees ventured out onto Young’s Hill to collect fresh garden lettuce, snap peas and broccoli (not everyone made themselves available for decent photos).
Negra:
Annie:
Foxie:
Burrito:
*Don’t worry about Jamie and her accompanying caregivers, they took a quick walk and made it safely indoors as I finish up this post!
Chimp “pockets”
If a chimpanzee finds an object to be important or intriguing, they will often stow it in the area on their body we call the “pelvic pocket.” This spot isn’t an actual pocket or pouch like you might imagine, it just happens to be the area between the hip, thigh, and torso that they seem to like to use for safe keeping items.
Sometimes it’s not always easy to tell they have something in their “pocket.”
Jody:
But inevitably, they will have to examine and admire their precious cargo…
Burrito and Tool Use
Around the sanctuary, Jamie is known for her amazing tool using abilities. With a long tool and flick of her wrist, she can get just about anything she wants that happens to be lying on the other side of the caging. Burrito on the other hand, can be a bit too blustery for such business. However, he might be willing to give tool use a little try, if eating peanut butter is the end goal.
The Watcher
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.
Three tips for beating the heat- Chimpanzee style.
Tip #1: Exercise first thing in the morning (or late at night if you ask Jamie)…
Boss Jamie (front) and her posse explore Young’s Hill first thing this morning :
Tip #2: Nap in the coolest area of your home, keeping your limbs elevated… If done properly you may even require a light blanket…
Jamie relaxes on the floor in the shady playroom :
Tip #3: Make sure you eat lots of refreshing snacks…
Burrito stays cool as a cucumber:
Annie Chimpanzee
Annie has all the personality qualities that make up a truly lovely individual. She is adventurous, kind, loving and quiet, with just a touch of mischievous up-and-comer. Oh and did we mention she’s beautiful?
