Showing us how it’s done
August 1, 2012 by Jackie -
Jamie always seems to want to be in the middle of the action- no matter what that action is. If you are friends with us on Facebook, you probably saw the post from a couple of weeks ago about Jamie and the staff meeting. Elizabeth and I were in the greenhouse brainstorming with a clipboard, pen, and paper. Jamie came over and asked us for the pen, so we gave her one. She then pulled up a chair, flattened her paper out on a flat surface, and joined us. We sat there for quite some time discussing various staff-only related topics.
And that’s very typical Jamie behavior. She often mimics us and wants to be involved in whatever we are doing– even if we are just cleaning.
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Jamie is Made of Awesome.
Doreen you are sooooo right!! Great description!!
Jamie really is amazing. She’s certainly helpful. 🙂
Do you think the chimps see their caregivers as part of their group? I know it could be more so for those raised closely with humans.
Or do are they more aware of the difference in some way? For instance would they treat a human differently than a fellow chimp?
I think they do consider us a part of their group though I think we are also seen as separate at the same time. We consider ourselves as the lowest on the hierarchy and use submissive chimpanzee behaviors to respect their dominance. Jamie seems to consider herself as part of the human hierarchy. They definitely understand that we are separate but we are lower than them, none-the-less. 🙂
Jamie does excel in all tasks, doesn’t she? Being the leader is difficult work. Thanks for the photos and video, Jackie.
I love Jamie. She’s so smart and observant – it’s no wonder she is the leader of the group. I think it’s interesting that the chimps often stop doing whatever it is they’re doing when they’re “caught”. Or is it just Jamie? I think I remember a post a while back where one of the chimps was using the water spigot (meant for drinking?) to wash their feet, but quickly stopped when they found they were being watched… Why do you think they do that?
Sometimes Jamie does this. I can’t really say why for sure, but she will often stop what she is doing if she catches us filming or watching her. I think she is just headstrong and wouldn’t want us to think she’s doing it for us. 🙂
Looks like you have a new employee. It just makes me so happy to see her doing these things. Maybe Jamie could write a small news letter for us every so often. 😉
I second that idea! Wouldn’t it just be a thrill beyond telling if Jamie herself could write something like “Notes from the Hill” to satisfy her adoring fan base! I feel certain that lady would have quite a lot to say if she were able.
Does she ever try to put any of the other chimps to work as a leader?
Jamie has a tough job being the leader, but she certainly wants to hold that position and defends her job as the boss.
I could use some extra help around the house cleaning, and doing paperwork? Can I borrow Jamie a few days each month? It looks like she’d do a great job. I promise I’d spoil her rotten. 🙂
Me too! 🙂
Jamie is a true team player! She just gives, gives, gives, doesn’t she? I hope she feels adequately appreciated! I LONG for the day Jamie receives her first camera so she can help you document the inner workings of the group!
I LONG for the day Jamie receives her first camera so she can help you document all the goings on!
Man, I love that chimpanzee woman. xoxo
I know that this behavior comes from being raised by humans, and that if she were in her natural environment she wouldn’t do any of these things, but this is what fascinates me the most about Jamie – her “connection” to humans through mimicked behavior. I don’t care what anyone says, I don’t think she’s just mimicking. I believe she knows what cleaning is and wants to help, and although she may not understand communication by writing, I believe she gets some satisfaction of making marks on a piece of paper with a tool.
They may be animals, but so are we.
Yes! Yes, absolutely! Like that time she was using a pen with some loose woven fabric and attempting to crochet or sew, I remain just knocked out by that because I knew she knew what she was trying to do!!
How does she ask for things? Does she know sign language, or does she produce gestures/sounds of her own making?
Jamie will often bang on the caging or stomp and point to ask for things. When the chimps first arrived, we suspected Jamie knew sign language as many of her gestures looked like signs, so its possible she was taught some signs when she was younger, but she doesn’t use them consistently. Many of the other chimps clap or make raspberry sounds to ask for things.
And is she a natural lefty in everything? Or just with writing? Or does she switch back and forth, depending on what’s convenient?
Jamie often uses her left hand to draw but I’ve also seen her use her right hand. She switches back and forth with other things.