A few days ago, while cleaning the playroom on the original side of the building (where Jamie’s group lives), I heard some loud chimpanzee laughter coming from the front rooms. Of course, I was pretty sure who one of the chimps was, but who was he playing with? It was Annie! Playing in a big pile of pink raffle tickets! I really love seeing Annie able to let loose and enjoy playful interactions with her family. Being low on the social hierarchy can lead to stressful moments throughout the day, but Annie proves that she can still relax and kick up her heels with her friends once in a while.
laughter
Play On Their Terms
Some chimps love to play with their human friends. Think Burrito, Cy, Terry. Others are less interested in human interaction, for different reasons.
Annie and Gordo are two of these chimps.
I don’t often get to interact with Annie. She tends to be a nervous chimp, and it seems like she is a little uncomfortable about interactions at the mesh caging. Most of my interactions with Annie have happened with a window between us. I jump at these opportunities!
Gordo likes to play chase with his human friends. But you have to be paying attention to his cues, because they are quite subtle. On this occasion, Diana had been playing with Willy B (another chimp that engages less often with caregivers) and Gordo wanted to play, too. So I attempted to entertain Gordo. Unfortunately, he wasn’t into it. I tried a few different methods, with little success. Until I tried, what I like to call, “I’m gonna get you” (one of Burrito’s favorite games!). Gordo loved it, and laughed so hard Diana could hear him throughout the building!
I hope you enjoy today’s video of me with Annie and Gordo, playing on their terms!
The Holdouts
We’ve given you a lot of Mora B footage as of late…
Are you tired of all the ridiculousness? Are you sick of all the play faces? The joy, the laughter, the shenanigans?
Are you sick and tired of Mora B?
Say it with me, folks.
HECK NO!!!
These girls just tickle us caregivers, even if they do create a longer cleaning schedule.
This clip does not include Mave, as she opted to stay in the chute while her sidekicks whooped it up in the front rooms.
So…how do we refer to a Honey B/Dora combo? What say you?
Also, be sure your sound is on – you won’t want to miss all the laughter!
If you’d like to help supply the sanctuary with food, enrichment, medicines, supplies, and other necessities, please check out our Christmas in July drive and help empty our wish lists!
Tickle Therapy
It looks like today will be Burrito’s last day on restricted activity. Which is great for him, obviously, but a relief for the staff, too, because we can’t keep up with him. He’s just too playful. Thankfully, Nurse Jody took another shift this afternoon and tried to tickle him back to health.
Earlier in the afternoon, we tried to offer Burrito some lunch. It did not go as planned.
He was convinced that it was playtime, not lunchtime. Soon his onion was a toy and he began laughing to himself.
He tossed his green pepper aside and rolled the onion around the room.
He insisted that I stop serving lunch and join him.
He thought it was the funniest onion ever.
It was!
But then he noticed the lettuce on the table behind me. Lettuce is good.
Maybe even better than playing?
Yup.
Oh, but that onion!
Our thanks go out to all the amazing Produce Patrons that keep Burrito and the gang supplied with delicious food (and, er, toys?). Learn how you can be a Produce Patron here.
Infinity Scarf
Volunteer Connie was telling Jackie and myself about these neat things called “infinity scarves.” They are made out of t-shirts and look pretty fashionable in my opinion. We thought the chimps might enjoy one so we decided to make one out of an old style CSNW shirt. Jackie and Connie took it into the chimp area to stretch it out and see if anyone was interested in playing. To everyone’s shock, Negra was interested in playing a game of tug-o-war. She does not play very often with caregivers, and definitely not for long periods of time. This game went on for infinity! What’s even more interesting is that Negra woke up on the wrong side of the nest today—she was a little grumpy all morning. I’m glad we were able to cheer her up!
Laughing with Burrito
Laughter
The chimps were in such playful moods yesterday! I could hear laughter coming from the playroom, so I grabbed the camera and caught Foxie and Jamie in a 10-minute long game of “steal the troll”. Thankfully, Foxie won in the end and the troll was returned to its rightful owner.
What a difference a day makes…when we came in this morning, the group had clearly been fighting and they had that look that says We can’t wait to take our frustration out on you, J.B., when you serve us breakfast!. Needless to say, I got drenched. But that’s what I’m here for!
