Play Initiation
October 27, 2008 by J.B. -
Chimps have a number of different ways to indicate that they would like to play. If you read this blog regularly, you’ve seen a chimpanzee play face. This face (top teeth covered, bottom teeth exposed, bottom lip drooping) says “Hey, I’m about to slap you in the face and bite your foot, but its all in good fun – don’t take it the wrong way!”
But its not just the face that indicates a playful mood. Quite often, chimps use objects to get things going. For example, Missy sometimes likes to steal a blanket from Annie’s nest, and Annie quickly jumps up and engages in a game of chase. And around here, the wearing of socks is a universal sign that a chimp is ready to play. You can see the look in Missy’s face that says “As soon as I pull this sock up to me knee, it’s go time!”.
Foxie, in all her new found playfulness, has developed a her own unique way of initiating play with her human caregivers, and of course, it involves a troll. She pushes a troll through the caging so that it lands on the floor in the human area. As soon as we pick it up, the game of chase begins. She gets so excited when we chase her with the troll that she will sometimes do standing back flips or climb to the ceiling of the outdoor area and hang upside down while rubbing her feet together. Occasionally, she pushes the troll out when we’re not looking. When this happens, she claps until we notice the troll lying lonely on the floor.
This morning, Foxie must have been feeling creative, because I think she invented the “I have a troll on my head, so it must be time to play” signal.
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The changes and confidence in the chimps over the last few weeks is stunning! It is so wonderful to see yet another sign the they are becoming confident that their lives are not going to change for the worse again. It is so exciting to realize that they know that they are home and safe and this is permanent. You go, Foxie!!
So So funny JB…..thanks for the laugh!
Oh my gosh, how FUN is THAT?! JB if there’s anyway you could catch that on video, we’d LOVE to see it! That’s just adorable ~ and I echo Margaret and Karen’s sentiments – feels incredibly good to know that the chimps are feeling safe enough now, to be initiating play.
I like to compare photos of each chimp, from every month they’ve been at CSNW. The June photos of Foxie, compared to today’s photo, her transformation is incredible. In June, she was skeletal looking, pale, weak, and tired. She looked startled in those photos, as if she didn’t know what to expect of this new place. But today’s photo shows, I believe, that she’s finally realized she’s safe from harm and experimentation forever. She can have fun with her chimp and human friends, entertain herself, go outside and live a happy life, free from pain. I don’t even think the Buckshire people would recognize her or the others. This is a “shout-out” to everyone involved at CSNW for having the foresight to see what they could be, instead of just lab chimps.
I’m at home today TRYING to catch up on stuff, and just checked the blog to see what was posted. That photo just may be my new favorite – I laughed out loud when I saw it. I’m so glad we can share Foxie’s antics with all of you who care about her as much as we do!
The CE7 just had to have been in shock or just plane overwhelmed with the life style change coming to CSNW (for the good but still a shock to them). I think we are now just starting to experience just how beautiful these beings are. Their real personalities are emerging and developing right before our eyes. Each day there is something new and wonderful for them to experience and for us to behold……….
Another great post to come home to after a “Monday” at work!! 🙂 They always make me feel happy after a long day!!
I’ve laughed at the antics of the chimps before, but I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as much as when I saw this picture and read this post!! This has got to be the BEST!!! Foxie, you are so funny!!! It’s so heartwarming to see the fun, silly side of her personality coming out! I love it!! 🙂
Maybe you should stand outside of the caging with a troll doll on your head and see what she thinks of that! 🙂
Oh Audrey I love that idea about putting the troll doll on a human head. I can just hear Foxie clapping to get everyone’s attention. Diana, I have to agree. This photo is now my favorite of Foxie. It gives me a wonderful feeling all the way down to my toes at all the changes happening and the wonderful photos you share with us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
Yes, and I want to see what happens if JB, Diana and Sarah all pull on a big white tube sock at once lol…
Oh Amy, That is too good but one of them has to hold the video so we can all see it! LOL
I love this post JB! Foxie is finally having fun…good for her! I can just see her mind working and thinking “I am bored. Time to call the humans over.” Then feeling smug because it works! LOL
It makes my day to come to the blog and read what a good time they are having. God knows they deserve the best!
Thanks for sharing with us JB.
How can anyone see this picture and not love Foxie? She is just so beautiful it makes me want to cry sometimes. To see her happy does make me cry. Kudos to you all for making their lives so much better!
Theresa – I couldn’t agree more. I had a very long and tedious day at work today and I’m still not done with the project, but everytime I started to get frustrated, I just popped over to the website and looked at the picture of Foxie with the troll on her head and it just made me laugh and put everything back into perspective. Thank you to the sanctuary crew for letting us share the adventures!
great ideas Audrey & Amy – that’s funny .. great post JB, thanks for the inside look!
GO FOXIE!
What a creative way to pay attention…I knew her mind is always going thinking of ways to get attention from her human caregivers….way to go Foxie…lol