Having recently finished my master’s thesis, I thought this would be an appropriate venue for talking about my thesis topic: the use of chimpanzee behaviors and vocalizations by caregivers. At CSNW, the caregivers incorporate chimpanzee behaviors when interacting with the chimps. For example, during play, we exhibit chimpanzee playfaces, laughter and other playful behaviors. In addition, we use submissive behaviors when the chimpanzees display aggressive behaviors. Chimpanzees are excellent readers of nonverbal behavior. Some natural human behaviors, such as walking upright, swinging our arms, and smiling, are all aggressive/territorial behaviors to chimpanzees. Therefore, although they understand human behavior, to prevent a possible miscommunication, we use behaviors to let the chimpanzees know we are their friends, rather than trying to dominate them. Playing this submissive role has produced relationships that are centered around cooperation and friendship. In my thesis research, when caregivers used chimpanzee behaviors, the chimps spent more time interacting with the caregivers and used more playful and friendly behaviors. I see the effects of this everyday, and feel this simple thing has greatly improved these chimpanzees’ psychological wellbeing. So, next time you see a chimpanzee, whether it be at a zoo or a sanctuary, try giving them a chimpanzee head nod or a playface (you’ll see these behaviors in the video). They will be elated to know someone out there speaks chimpanzee! And being submissive when the chimpanzees are displaying (as seen in THIS video), lets them know that we aren’t threatening them and that we are their friends. It can make a world of difference.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
YOU did it!
Yay!! Big thanks to Barb in Ohio for her generous pledge for the last $$ needed for the window fund. You’ve raised the money needed to replace one of the caged windows with clear chimp-proof glass!
Thank you to Anna K. for initiating this window fundraising and to Denice, Jill K., Julie H., Gayle B., Theresa, Jeani, Candy, Kathy B., Leslie S., Sue and Jack, Stephanie P., Steph and Kurt, Donna A. and now Barb in Ohio. What a wonderful x-mas gift for the chimpanzees! Thank you also to an anonymous donor and friend who is sending a cash gift for the sanctuary and offered to have that gift go towards the window, if needed. The Cle Elum Seven have the best supporters!
There was a big snowstorm overnight, so winter is here. We’ll keep you updated on the timeline for installing the window. In the meantime, be thinking of Negra’s new view and another window for Jody to lick 🙂
More nesting
The other day we caught Jamie making a pretty impressive mixed-media nest out of carefully selected materials from the playroom. Her favorite nesting location seems to be the corner right next to the big doors to the playroom, perhaps because she can easily keep an eye on the humans from that vantage point. For this nest, she collected a cardboard box, some blankets, a ball of yarn, a bag, a shoe, and a giant teddy bear. Shortly after she settled down in her masterpiece, Foxie came over to check things out.
As J.B. mentioned in his blog post the other day, Jamie often weaves blankets or other materials through the wire mesh of the caging as part of her nest. You’ll notice that she does that with some yarn in the beginning of this video.
$900 to go for the cageless view
We’re more than halfway to a new chimp-proof glass window. Anna Kircher kicked it off with the challenge pledge of $1000 and $600 more was pledged almost immediately. Thank you Anna for initiating this gift and to all who responded so quickly. Replacing one of the windows that currently has a safety cage over it with clear chimp-proof glass will make a significant difference in the lives of the chimps. And we only need $900 more! Please see Anna’s original post and the responses so far: https://chimpsnw.org/?p=3082
Thank you!!
Challenge gift for a new window!
Anna K. is pledging to give $1000 towards a new chimp proof window if we can raise the remaining $1500 to cover the costs of installation. Come on blog readers!! All of us staff will tell you what a huge difference the window makes. It lets in so much more light and the chimps absolutely love it. There are a lot of windows in the playroom with caging that we could replace with clear chimp-proof glass. Imagine seeing Negra looking out at the valley without having to look through bars.
Share Anna’s challenge (below) with others and let’s see how quickly we can give the chimps another view!
From Anna:
Ok – I’m thinking grandly here. But sometimes if you have high aspirations, the universe surprises you by coming through! 🙂
One of the b-i-i-i-g things on CSNW’s wish list is another chimp-proof window. And it’s so heartwarming to see how much the chimps are enjoying the one they have – wouldn’t it be great if they could have another?!
It costs about $2500 total to acquire all the parts/materials/labor to install a chimp-proof window. I’d be willing to seed the pot with $1000. I’m wondering if there might be 15 folks out there each willing to throw in $100?
Any takers? Could we gather enough money by Christmas to collectively give the chimps another window this winter? If you’re interested in participating, please reply here in the blog or contact me off-line at kirchera at hotmail dot com.
Kudos and cyber-hugs will be freely distributed to partners in this venture – I’ve got my fingers crossed for another cage-less view of the world for the chimps!!
Holiday ideas
Need some holiday gift ideas for Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest? Below are just a few ideas that would make the humans’ and the chimpanzees’ lives wonderful in 2010:
1. Check out our amazon.com wishlist. Think buying paper towels is boring? We love getting supplies! It saves us a bunch. If you can get them cheaper elsewhere, just let us know what’s coming our way and we’ll update the amazon list. Also, if you want to do your own shopping on amazon anytime, click through our wishlist first and we’ll get a referral bonus at no extra cost to you.
2. Gift cards, especially for Costco. We were so lucky to have received several of these last year from Anna – they came in so handy! We bought everything from postage stamps to bananas.
3. Cash Donations. Every little bit helps and we rely on end-of-the-year generosity!
4. Check out our recently updated full wish list.
The Cle Elum Seven are really lucky to have amazing friends, so we have a good supply of blankets, stuffed animals and clothing right now. Thank you so much for being so generous!
Foxie snuggles up
For those of you who know her, you’ll be pleased to see this cryptic picture of Foxie (which I had to snap it quickly in case she got up!). She’s got her head on a blanket in a nest she built the other day after dinner. If you’re just meeting Foxie, she is a special girl who generally avoids cozying up with blankets. All of the chimps here at CSNW make nests of some sort (and nesting is definitely a hard-wired behavior!) but Foxie’s are usually circles of plastic toys. It’s very heartwarming for the humans when, once in a while, Foxie uses a soft blanket to nest with. Of course she can choose to nest with whatever she likes, but hopefully this means that she is getting more comfortable here. The chimps have been here for a year and a half, but they’re still recovering and changing after years and years in medical research, and everyone has their own pace. It’s an honor to help them get comfortable!
