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Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

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alpha

Leadership

October 1, 2021 by J.B.

Jamie has always held a dominant position in her group but she’s generally not what one would consider a leader. Leaders don’t scream and throw fits when they don’t get their way or harbor grudges for days only to attack without provocation (see: Missing Toe, Jody). Jamie’s drive to be on top is fueled by a deep insecurity and the mantle of leader never quite fits.

Until she steps out onto the hill.

Once she crosses the threshold of the raceway, she emerges as someone else entirely. She supports her friends when they are scared or anxious. She bears the burden, often single-handedly, or protecting her home and family. It’s a version of Jamie almost unseen within the confines of the greenhouse and playroom walls, where petty squabbles for food puzzles and attention from humans dominate.

So many examples of leadership in our own species are born from moments or situations that are larger than ourselves. Perhaps it is just as true for Jamie. Outside, there are cows to supervise, snakes to kill, and boundaries to patrol. There’s a vast and constantly changing horizon. The world is bigger out there and it requires cooperation and teamwork to manage. And a team needs a leader.

Once the outside world is sufficiently conquered, however, she calls dibs on all the raisin boards. Touch one and she will scream.

Filed Under: Chimpanzee Behavior, Jamie, Latest Videos, Young's Hill Tagged With: alpha, chimpanzee, dominance, Jamie, leader, leadership, northwest, rescue, Sanctuary

When the going gets tough

September 4, 2014 by J.B.

There’s always been a lot of tension between Jamie and Jody. Though Jamie is the alpha of the Cle Elum Seven, she’s never been secure in her leadership. She views everyone as a potential threat to her status as leader, and every action they take as a potential sign of disrespect. Jody, however, is strong willed and independent, and she refuses to submit to Jamie’s incessant demands for obedience.

Most of the mealtime conflicts here at CSNW follow the same script: Jody takes food that is rightfully hers. Jamie is upset that Jody took food. Jamie screams for ten minutes straight while following Jody around and demanding the food.

In their first few years at the sanctuary, Jody would break down and acquiesce. But over time she discovered that Jamie was more bark than bite, so she learned to hang onto the food in contention. And just the other day, when Jamie began her screaming routine over a piece of celery, Jody decided that she’d had enough, and she chased Jamie out onto Young’s Hill. Jamie was forced to take refuge on a climbing structure while Jody returned to the greenhouse to enjoy her celery in peace.

This one interaction doesn’t mean that Jody has taken over the alpha position in the group. She just doesn’t seem to have the drive or the backing to follow through with it. But it’s a good example of why the two might not always enjoy each others company.

Unless, that is, there is trouble afoot.

This morning, Jody was spooked by something out on the hill.

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The others sensed her alarm and began to gather around.

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But Jody wasn’t looking for their help. She knew exactly who she needed on her side in a situation like this.

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She walked down the hill to meet Jamie, who was just coming out to check on the commotion. As soon as they met, Jody offered Jamie a kiss and embraced her in a request for reassurance.

web_Jody_kiss_Jamie_reassurance_YH_jb_IMG_2693

web_Jody_arm_around_Jamie_reassurance_YH_jb_IMG_2695

Together, they joined up with Foxie and Burrito to patrol the area.

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web_four_chimps_Jody_Burrito_Jamie_Foxie_patrol_YH_jb_IMG_2730

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Jody may not always consider Jamie her best friend, but when the going gets tough, who are you going to turn to? The guy who hides behind a tree?

web_Burrito_hide_behind_tree_Jamie_Foxie_YH_jb_IMG_2763

web_Burrito_hide_behind_tree_YH_jb_IMG_2762

Or the boss?

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Filed Under: Chimpanzee Behavior, Fights, Jamie, Jody, Young's Hill Tagged With: alpha, chimpanzee, conflict, dominance, fight, northwest, patrol, reassurance, rescue, Sanctuary

Jamie and her barrel

January 30, 2013 by J.B.

One of my favorite stories from Jane Goodall’s book In the Shadow of Man was the story of Mike.

Mike was a small, low-ranking male who was continually threatened and attacked by higher ranking chimpanzees until the day he discovered a pair of empty kerosene cans at the research camp. By banging the cans together, Mike’s displays made a sound that none of the other chimpanzees had heard before. Imagine hearing the clashing and booming of metal on metal, when even the toughest chimpanzees were stuck shaking branches and throwing rocks. Mike may not have had the size and strength of Goliath or David Graybeard but he was clever – clever enough to rise to alpha male and remain there for six years after his first kerosene can display.

I see a lot of Mike in Jamie. While Jamie is by no means small, she clearly knows how to use objects in her displays to her advantage. While Burrito runs around clapping his hands, Jamie shows him how it’s done.

web Jamie pilo erect arrange barrel start display playroom PR IMG_2136

web Jamie drum barrel look at camera start display playroom PR IMG_2137

web Jamie display drum barrel playroom PR IMG_2139

web Jamie display drum barrel playroom PR IMG_2140

Filed Under: Chimpanzee Behavior, Jamie Tagged With: alpha, chimpanzee, display, gombe, in the shadow of man, Jamie, jane goodall, mike, northwest, rescue, Sanctuary

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Cle Elum, WA 98922
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509-699-0728
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