Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

alpha

When the going gets tough

by

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.

web_Jody_tall_grass_YH_jb_IMG_2671

The others sensed her alarm and began to gather around.

web_Burrito_Foxie_tall_grass_YH_jb_IMG_2679

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

web_Jody_approach_Jamie_reassurance_YH_jb_IMG_2692

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.

web_Four_chimps_patrol_YH_jb_IMG_2718

web_four_chimps_Jody_Burrito_Jamie_Foxie_patrol_YH_jb_IMG_2730

web_Four_chimps_patrol_YH_jb_IMG_2723

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?

web_Jamie_foreground_Burrito_background_YH_jb__IMG_2779

Jamie and her barrel

by

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