Foraging for native plants
June 30, 2012 by J.B. -
One of our goals as a sanctuary is to give the chimps as much independence and autonomy as we can, given the inherent limitations of captivity. So we’re thrilled to see them finding their own food on Young’s Hill. Right now, their favorites include grass, dandelion leaves, and prickly lettuce. There are two bamboo groves on the hill, but the chimps haven’t taken much of an interest in eating them as of yet (climbing them is a different story). Of course, none of this will take the place of the meals we serve throughout the day, but it’s nice that the chimps can head out and grab a light snack whenever they want.
7 Comments
Subscribe to the Blog and
Get Notified of New Posts First!
If you like what see, be sure to subscribe. Personally written by the caregivers themselves, 365 days a year, you’ll get an insiders glimpse of all the goings on at the sanctuary. Follow us!
question is their any type of berry bushes the can get berries from in their enclosure area?
Not at the moment, but this summer we are going to plant some things along the irrigation line that runs to one of the bamboo groves – probably some leafy greens, sunflowers, and berry bushes. I think the chimps would enjoy searching through the bushes for ripe berries.
J.B. let me know if you need any more of the irrigation line you mentioned (what I know of as drip line). I have access to some.
I love searching for ripe berries (we love to do pick-your-own); I can only imagine how wonderful a treat this would be for them!
I would be more than happy to order a young blueberry bush and have it delivered to the sanctuary; let me know if you’ll welcome this kind of donation, or if you’d rather control the varieties and select them yourselves.
JB Thanks for this video–love watching Missy running down the hill. Berry bushes would be a wonderful addition.
This is so wonderful to watch them engaging in some of their natural behaviors!! Now all you have to do is stock their termite mound with real termites and scatter some sticks around!! 🙂
Sara – That would be great! We are in zone 6a. If you could just send me an email when you pick something out, we can confirm that it will work for Young’s Hill. Thanks!