In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move. ~Henry Rollins
Photos from today.
Foxie & Burrito:
Jody:
Missy:
dolls
Imaginary Play
Chimpanzees have rich imaginary lives. Chimps who use American Sign Language have been observed signing to inanimate objects and engaging them as if they were live social partners. For example, a chimpanzee named Dar was once seen signing “tickle” to a stuffed bear that he was playing with. I personally recall (and will never, ever forget) watching a chimpanzee named Moja don a curly blonde wig and look at herself in the mirror while signing “pretty” to her reflection.
Foxie was never taught sign language, but language isn’t a requirement for imaginary play.
Nor is imaginary play limited to chimpanzees raised in human environments. In the wild, young chimpanzees have been seen carrying sticks as rudimentary dolls and caring for them as if they were their own offspring. Are they simply expressing a desire to be more grown up? Could it be an instinctual form of practice to prepare them for motherhood? Whatever the motivation, it is probably not much different than our own.
What’s so interesting about Foxie is that the objects of her imaginary play are often not chimpanzee-like at all. Foxie is occasionally given chimpanzee dolls but she rejects them in favor of Troll dolls or Dora the Explorer dolls. And when she plays with Dora, she treats her more as a human than as a chimp. Note how she stands Dora bipedally (on two legs) instead of quadrupedally like a chimpanzee, even though Dora would stand upright just as well on all fours.
We can never truly know what a chimpanzee is thinking, but we certainly know that they are thinking. And imaginary play gives us a tantalizing peek into what those thoughts might be.
Friendship
Primatologist Robert Yerkes once said, “One chimpanzee is no chimpanzee.” Spend a single morning watching the Cle Elum Seven and you will know exactly what he meant.
The Christmas in July Celebration
I have to admit, with temperatures pushing 100 degrees it’s hard to get into the Christmas spirit. But after receiving dozens of items from our wish list over the past week, you can’t help but feel the spirit of giving in the air.
We’re so grateful for the support you’ve shown us – you helped stock our shelves with office and cleaning supplies; you gave us new medical equipment so that we can keep the chimps healthy; you sent food and treats for the chimps to enjoy and toys and enrichment to keep them occupied; and you gave us two gently used GoPro cameras so that we can give you a different perspective on life at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. We are truly humbled and grateful for your generosity.
This morning, we collected many of the items we’ve received so far and threw a little party for the chimps. I hope you can see the difference you make in their lives.
By the way, if you sent an item from our wish list and you don’t hear from us in a reasonable amount of time, please drop us a note. Packages from Amazon don’t always include information about the donor and we’d love to be able to thank you!
Merry Christmas in July!
FOXIE for the 2nd Day of HOOT! & Wild Chimpanzees with Doll Rocks
We were all so touched by the incredible Sponsor-a-Day posted from Megan and her husband earlier today in memory of Baby H.
So, it seems appropriate to make today about celebrating Foxie. A video came up in my news feed on Facebook that is also Foxie-related. It is a short interview with Dr. Richard Wrangham and a fascinating look at juvenile chimpanzees in the wild who seem to be treating rocks as dolls.
Here’s a link to the video: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160422-the-young-chimpanzees-that-play-with-dolls
Does this seem like a doll-loving chimpanzee you know?
Because we are counting down to HOOT!, I’m sharing this image that will be one of just seven exclusive metal prints that can be bid on during the Happy Hour reception at the event on Saturday (minus the HOOT! logo):
Wondering what else will be happening during the Happy Hour? So much! Each guest will receive two drink tickets good for beer, wine, or two custom cocktails (delicious non-alcoholic punch is also available). And everyone can give with their hearts at the Hope, Love, and Home stations staffed by the best friends of the Cle Elum Seven – the sanctuary staff. Guests can ask questions, learn more about the chimps, and contribute directly to the area of care that speaks to them the most while earning a heart to personalize and add to the Heart Board.
Today’s countdown to the celebration of the year, just days away, is thanks to chimpanzee friends Tracy Headley and Poppoff Inc who are Happy Hour sponsors for HOOT!
I am getting so very excited about the event this year, I might just do some pirouettes and spinning today in honor of Foxie.
Resting Serious Face
Jamie can be a difficult person to read. For some reason, her face is less emotionally expressive than those of the other chimps.
Over the last 8 years, we’ve studied her face intently and gotten to know the subtleties of what little expression she reveals. It’s serious business around here, because Jamie’s mood can make or break your day. And though I can’t tell you what it is exactly that differentiates one seemingly solemn expression from another, there is something noticeably different when she is in a good mood. The seriousness is still there, but it’s like she has temporarily forgotten about all the responsibilities she has as the group’s powerful but insecure leader and the Machiavellian struggles that she engages in with her family and the humans that care for her on a daily basis. It’s the same face, but the weight has been momentarily lifted.
Once and a while, though, she relieves us of the need for such detailed analysis and tells us in no uncertain terms that she is happy.
The face might be serious, but the troll scarf says otherwise.
Foxie chimpanzee
Age: 39. She was born on August 8th, 1976 at Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in Texas.
Nicknames: Fox, Fox-fox, Tiny (she’s the smallest of the chimps here at CSNW)
Best friend: Burrito
Favorite food: Fruit and fruit smoothies!!
Best known for: Her love of troll and Dora dolls. She also loves to play “Toss the Troll” with caregivers. She’s known for her pirouettes, flips and somersaults as well.
Distinguishing physical characteristics: Very petite chimp with no belly, dark face
Personality: Fun, playful, goofy, silly, child-like, sweet, kind, and the peacemaker of the group.
Other: She rubs her toes together when she is content.
These photos of Foxie were taken this afternoon, before she spotted one of her Dora dolls in the raceway.
You can find out more about Foxie’s history before arriving at CSNW at this link.
