Chimps vs Horses
February 15, 2013 by J.B. -
Every once and a while, our neighbor’s horses escape their pastures and come over to the sanctuary. I like to watch the look on their faces when they see the chimps for the first time. It goes from interested to confused to frightened in about five seconds.
I think the chimps enjoy engaging in territorial behavior from time to time. CSNW is different than most other chimpanzee sanctuaries in that we have only one group and they are together at all times. They never see or hear other chimpanzees and therefore they rarely have a reason to defend their territory as a group or to patrol the boundaries of their enclosure. But occasional visits from wild deer, stray dogs, and escaped horses and cattle keep them on their toes.
Jamie, being the alpha that she is, seems to live for this kind of thing.
21 Comments
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I think this could be the most excited blog posts so far!
Fabulous! Did they alarm bark at all? And I think I counted only five of the seven – is that right?
They never alarm called but they did threat bark at one point. It occurred between the time that the horses were right up against the fence and the next scene when the chimps are running left to right across the hill. Coincidentally, this was the exact moment when I chose to turn the camera off 🙂 The threat barks sent the horses off running with the chimps chasing after them.
Everyone but Negra was on the hill at some point during the Great Horse Adventure of 2013. If Brussels sprouts were attacking the sanctuary she would be on the front lines, though.
what a great story to catch on video J.B. and the bit with Foxie at the end.. too much! .. . and then the last line of your comment here made me bust up – too funny! I’ve noticed through the years that you can be a real sidesplitter! yeah!
d. – J.B. keeps us all in stitches 😉 Loved this video – chimps doing what chimps should, with fearless leader Jamie leading the charge. And Diana looks great running along – who needs a treadmill?
It’s fascinating that Foxie put her doll someplace safe.
She may have just put it there randomly before the action started, so I can’t say that it was her intent to protect her doll. However, retrieving it was the first thing she did when everything calmed down.
What spectacular creatures on both sides of the fence. Love this post!
I love it!!!! Especially Foxie taking such good care of her troll doll!
This is fascinating. All the chimps were involved? Did some stay behind or in the back of the group? Thank you for sharing.
I love seeing them run across such expanses to defend their turf. The know what to do even though being outside and seeing non-human species is so new to them. Amazing.
I think this is now my all-time fave video! Horses were beautiful, chimps running……….wore me out and Foxy “popping” her troll doll out of its’ hiding place made me have a coughing fit, I laughed so hard. (My dog even came in from the other room to check it out!).
Great job of video-ing J.B. Beautiful job!!
P.S. Diana looked pretty good sprinting down the hill too!! 🙂
Thanks, Linda :). I’m just grateful J.B. didn’t include any clips of me trying to run up the hill! The chimps make it look so easy…
Loved the video. Jamie has beautiful brown eyes, and Foxie is my girl..how funny she hide her troll then plucked it out of saftey when she felt comfortable. Love that girl Foxie! Another great video. Thank you for sharing.
It’s a new form of enrichment!!! JB, your comment about brussels sprouts attacking the sanctuary made me laugh so hard I spit out my tea!!! I can just picture it! Very exciting and interesting to so the interaction and behavior of both chimps and horses.
Yes What a great video JB. And the commentary made it!! It was so interesting to see the protection Foxie gave her troll. And then going back to get it! WOW!!! Made my day JB, especially since I haven’t been able to come over for awhile. I miss everyone, both human and chimp!
Priceless! The intent look on the horses’ faces! And the brave Chimps defending their territory! Funny encounter! And true, the last part, adorable Foxie who had shielded her “baby” from danger! Thank you!
I love to see horses running. The chimps were just as fun to watch running! It was so nice to see mostly everyone outside enjoying the sunny day.
Was Burrito the other chimp who stayed inside?
Everyone but Negra was out – you can see them all in the first segment of the video. Jamie takes the lead and the other five lag behind a bit.
LOL at foxi at the end. What a great film and JB’s comment about negra, hilarious…
Those horses are also just beautiful. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you. Quite nice.
Would you please send me the receipt for 2012.
Thank you.