Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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young's hill

Let’s Talk Body Language

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You may be aware by now that Jamie can be a pretty exacting boss. She knows just what she wants AND when she wants it. For example, as I type she insists that I should, instead, be taking a walk with her while wearing a cowboy boot. Right. Now. Seriously, NOW. Often people will ask about her specific requests (like wearing a boot while walking around Young’s Hill) “But how do you know that’s what she wants?”

The simple answer is she tells us. Chimpanzees rely heavily on the use of non-verbal communication to get their point across. Gestures such as foot stomping, play bowing, pointing, arm reaches, and hugs & kisses (just to name a few) are all part of the daily vocabulary of chimpanzee life. Additionally, facial expressions, body postures, and vocalizations all provide a potential social partner (whether chimpanzee or human) with important information to help understand the context for interactions. Sometimes those cues can be subtle and sometimes not. Often behaviors can be used in multiple settings (play and aggression, for instance) so it’s vital to make sure we’re paying attention to the full picture painted by someone’s body language.

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As I mentioned, Jamie is insistent about that walk. How do I know? She’s stomping her foot loudly and repeatedly while gesturing frantically towards the bin that holds her boots. If I pick one out and bring it to her (which I promised to do just as soon as I finish!) she will tell me to put it on by staring at my foot then gesturing to the boot and then my foot again. She usually won’t take off running for Young’s Hill until I have it on my foot. Then she’ll run faster than Forrest Gump for the entrance to Young’s Hill pausing every so often to to look back, make eye contact, and make sure I’m following along. For me, the question is not how I know, but how could I possibly not? The chimpanzees communicate their wants and emotional states as clearly as if they were speaking. In fact, I often wonder if life wouldn’t be less complicated without the use of spoken language confusing the matter at hand!

How do you know where you are if you don’t know where you’ve been?

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I decided to do a little retrospective of the blog today and found the posts around this time for the last five years. It’s interesting what’s changed, what’s remained the same, and what’s entirely different.

Today I posted this photo on Burrito’s Facebook page and described him as handsome:

handsome burrito on deck.

And today volunteers Lynn and Patti staffed our booth at PAWSwalk. I worked in the chimp house with Debbie and Keith stopped by for a visit this afternoon with some friends.

Five years ago today, I posted about Keith and I staffing the PAWswalk booth and I posted a photo of handsome Burrito:

five years ago blog post image

 

Today was a drizzly day, but that didn’t stop Jamie from going all around the hill four times – twice with me and twice with volunteer Keri. On her fourth trip around, Jamie ran the whole way. She got pretty wet from the rain, but didn’t seem to mind at all.

jamie walking in the rain

 

It was drizzly four years ago at this time too, so toothbrushes were the rainy day enrichment.

Three years ago we had the ingenious idea to fill troll dolls with treats and freeze them. We’ve probably done this 50 times since then. I love Jamie’s somewhat frustrated initial reaction:

Two years ago Young’s Hill was almost but not quite complete, and we were speculating about whether the chimpanzees might be hesitant to walk into the great wide open space.

Sept 7 2011 blog post screenshot

And one year ago, we posted this in-depth story that KOMO news did about the fire that burned the grass on Young’s Hill and damaged the caregiver house on the property:

Be here now

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The most invaluable lesson I think I have learned from working with chimpanzees is this: what matters is this moment, right now. The Cle Elum 7 had already lived so very many different lives before coming here to sanctuary and so much of that history is unthinkable, unconscionable to my mind. Not only have they survived difficult lives but they have also thrived beyond my imagination. Rather than languishing over the dark years of the past they enjoy the gift of freedom of today. I believe this is one of the reasons they, and so many other chimpanzees in captivity, can experience such a transformation under the right care. My hope is that all great apes in captivity will know such care. I consider it an honor to be a part of this moment. Thank you to everyone who makes it possible for us to be here now.

Negra and Jody foraging for breakfast on Young’s Hill this morning:
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Jody on her own on the hill:
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Negra on the hill:
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Burrito enjoying his breakfast beside Negra’s cabin:
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The Rainy Day

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The weather has been volatile today as you can see by the clouds menacing the sanctuary with the promise of rain.

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What better way to spend a rainy, blustery Sunday than curled up in a nest with some of your favorite things? I certainly can’t argue with that!

Annie nesting in the greenhouse:
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Missy in a nest on the catwalk in the playroom:
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Jamie inside with her boots:
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Jody peeking out from a nest on the catwalk:
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Negra from underneath the blankets:
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And while I personally would prefer the nap, I have it on good authority that although rain is threatening, that’s no reason to cancel a perfectly good walk around Young’s Hill!

Summer Sun

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It’s a warm, quiet afternoon in sanctuary and the chimpanzees are spending time each according to her(or his) nature. Jamie and I took some new footwear for a walk around Young’s Hill after lunch. Missy accompanied us for part of the way and then we all returned to the greenhouse to escape the heat. The greenhouse appears to be the place to hang out on a hot summer afternoon!

Providing options for individual choice is one of the many perks of working at the sanctuary and it makes me proud to be able to share quality time with each chimpanzee in the manner that most appeals to them.

Here is Jamie, ready to groom the now traveled boot.
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Missy, enjoying the relative cool of the greenhouse after the eastern Washington summer sun.
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Annie stayed put in the greenhouse. Here she is gazing in the direction of the helicopter overhead.
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Burrito, playful as ever!
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In memory of Lassen Pig

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Today was sponsored by Kerrie Wooten, in memory of her friend, Lassen Pig.  Kerrie shared a very touching story about Lassen:

“I first met Lassen Pig on July 1, 2004 when I interned at Farm Sanctuary in Orland, CA. He was a young, happy, sometimes cranky, spoiled pig and I grew to love and appreciate his personality. In 2006 I began working at the sanctuary and I was thrilled to be helping to take care of Lassen every day. Last year, on October 4, 2012 (the day after my birthday) we said goodbye to Lassen – he was a little old man, but I still saw the young, spry pig I’d first met years before. My wish is to honor the memory of my dear friend by helping the chimps, who deserve to have a joyous, fulfilling, carefree life the way Lassen did.” 

Kerrie, this is such a sweet and generous gift!  Thank you so much for helping to give Lassen, and the chimps, wonderful lives.

Missy chase Annie