It was another hot sunny day at the Chimps Inc. sanctuary. All the chimps were enjoying the nice weather. Six of the chimps had access to the Big Habitat and the Playhouse. While some enjoyed the sunshine others wanted to escape the heat and stay indoors. I was in the chimp kitchen washing some dishes and cleaning up. Kimie was sitting in the playhouse watching me intensely as I scrubbed with the soapy sponge. I started to put things away when I noticed that Kimie was struggling with a pink Hello Kitty backpack. After trying for a few minutes, she finally got the backpack on. Although she only wore it for a short while after that, the sight of Kimie wearing her Hello Kitty backpack was enough to make me smile.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Maggie and Her Crocodile By Kate Gillis (intern)
Maggie often sleeps inside the chimp house during the day when it gets hot but the other day there was another member joining in her nap. Maggie had a small plush animal crocodile lying on her chest. As she slept she clutched the crocodile with her arm as if it were a baby. She slept with the stuffed animal for a couple hours then deciding dinner was more important she came out for dinner leaving the sad and lonely crocodile for another nap.
Patti Finds Her Hidden Talent!
It is never a quet day at Chimps Inc. The air usually filled with the sounds of pant hoots and calls from the chimps. However, not the other day - the other day it was music in the air!
The chimps had broken one of their enrichment items and inside were all sorts of surprises, one was a harmonica. Patti took a particular interest in it and somehow knew that if you blew into it, it would make noise. When it didn’t play she became confused and brought it to one of the caregivers. The caregiver wiped off the harmonica and it played. Patti then took it back and began playing. For the rest of the day the staff and chimps enjoyed patty and her harmonica.
Photos From a Nice Grooming Session Interrupted: Who Could It Be? By Rebecca Shea (intern)
A peaceful grooming session consisting of Topo, Thiele, Maggie, and Patti was well under way in the tunnels by the Chimp House. All members were quietly and contentedly grooming one another, making small sounds to show their appreciation. Jackson decided that this grooming group was a bit too quiet for his taste, and decided to bring his own brand of fun to the party. However this brand of fun usually involves something being thrown or wild swinging from rope to rope, with other chimps as his target. After peering into the tunnel and seeing the adult chimps nicely grooming, he left briefly, promptly returning with a soccer ball. True to Jackson’s style, be began to hoot and sway, the ball in one hand, aiming directly for the group. After throwing it at them, the group turned to look but Jackson didn’t hold their attention for long, the grooming being far too important. Jackson returns, soccer ball back in tow, and throws it once again at the group. This time the group was much less amused, and Maggie and Patty began a full pursuit of Jackson.
Kimie and Her Feline Friend by Kristin Harvill-Stoughton (caregiver)
It was a quiet Sunday, the perfect day for Kimie to spend a little quality time with her old friend Monkey, one the house cats at Chimps Inc. Monkey was brought into the chimp house through a feed door in the kitchen, and loved every second spend with her beloved chimp companion. Kimie played with Monkey, gently patting and petting her, all the while with a big grin on her face. When it was time for Monkey to go, Kimie did not want to bring her back to the feed door, but reluctantly did in return for a small treat. Monkey was not ready to leave and quickly leapt back into the playhouse away from the feed door. Another 20 minutes went by before the two decided they had their fun for the day. Everyone asks us if Monkey is "photoshopped" into pictures with Kimie, but I can now denounce these rumors and tell you, yes, Kimie really loves her feline friend!
Jackson Being Jackson by Rebecca (intern)
One of my favorite chimps, Jackson, decided to show off in front of me with a series of acrobatics in his enclosure yesterday afternoon. It was fun to watch and amazing to see the athleticism and sense of fun that he possesses. The acrobatics consisted of swinging from one rope to the next, and many turns spinning rapidly in a tight circle on the fire hose rope. Jackson seemed to feel so happy and uninhibited. He also seemed to enjoy having an audience, which fueled his sense of fun. It made me realize how happy the chimps are here, and how well cared for they are, with every need addressed and filled.
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