Fun with yarn

October 22, 2009 by Jackie -

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In many biomedical labs, chimps don’t get any enrichment (i.e. blankets, toys, etc.). It’s hard to imagine spending 30+ years without anything to pass the time, when something as simple as a ball of yarn can keep Burrito and Jamie busy for hours.

YouTube video

7 Comments

  1. Candy (Tyler, TX) on October 22, 2009 at 4:18 pm

    I’m impressed with all the different ideas you all come up with for enrichment, a ball of yarn, who would have thought. How about hiding some nuts in the middle of a ball of yarn, or even a coconut, maybe.



  2. Avatar Kathy B on October 22, 2009 at 6:36 pm

    I was thinking maybe a troll inside a ball of yarn.



  3. Avatar Anna on October 22, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    Jamie has seen someone wind yarn INTO balls before … so cute!

    And no, I can’t even imagine how difficult the boredom must have been. {{CE7}} (those are hugs for our chimps!)



  4. Avatar Theresa on October 23, 2009 at 3:53 am

    I love watching them with enrichment. Jamie knew exactly how to get the yarn back into a ball. Such a smart girl! Hearing Burrito laugh is a treat! Thank you all for making sure our chimps are stimulated and kept busy. Thinking of all those years of boredom is heartbreaking. Thankfully those days are gone.



  5. Avatar Denice on October 23, 2009 at 6:25 am

    Knit two…………. pearl one.
    Knit two………….drop one.
    Pearl one……….. knit two

    Repeat



  6. Avatar Gayle on October 23, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    Well, they sure have much more patience then I do. When my yarn knots up I have a little hissy fit!

    I love this video. Jamie is so focused on what she’s doing and Burrito is just so happy. They both look so beautiful and healthy. Thank you for taking such good care of them.



  7. Sara Lissabet on October 27, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    Burrito is such a kid. I love the way Jamie tried to roll it back into a ball. We have such a wonderful opportunity to be present at birth of chimpanzee creativity and development because we get to see these (guy and) gals learn all about what life really has to offer, even if they won’t ever get to experience a real chimpanzee life. Thank you for taking the time to chronicle this miraculous event for these seven chimps and making it possible for us to view them.



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