A Tale of Two Barrels
March 15, 2020 by Anthony -
Yesterday, Diana wrote the blog about a routine only Jamie would have. As a dominant and strong-willed chimp who is usually an active participant in social drama, Jamie has a tendency to express herself by displaying in the Playroom.
The chute and Playroom are within sight of each other, allowing the chimps to interact with their neighbors (at a distance).
Today, Jamie kept up her steady pace by unleashing yet another raucous display on the residents of the sanctuary. She certainly had everyone’s attention.
To complement yesterday’s video, I tried my best to capture some still images of Jamie in action.
The Jamie Method:
Step 1: Acquire a noise-making object. A dirty barrels is perfect.
Step 2: Drum on the barrel and throw it across the room with force.
Step 3: Use the barrel as a pedestal to watch the neighbors react. Always have a Missy for backup.
Immediately afterwards, Burrito used the same barrel to observe the neighboring chimps. He had a much more friendly demeanor.
The Bubba Method:
Step 1: Greet the neighbors by bobbing your head and panting
Step 2: Sway back and forth to show off your muscles and all your super cool wooden toys
Step 3: Calmly go to a window that lets you quizzically stare at Mave and Willy B until they go back inside
Step 4: Always have a group of vigilant female chimps for backup
In the following hours, the seven original residents in Jamie and Burrito’s group sprawled out on the upper deck of the wooden structure in the Greenhouse.
Jamie groomed Jody while everyone else took a nap.
Perhaps they had forgotten that their neighbors had an identical barrel on the other side of the building, but they were soon reminded. The seven chimps were suddenly awoken by a chorus of hooting and drumming. The source of all this noise was Willy B. As a large and dominant male, Willy is tactful in his use of displays. He doesn’t overdo it like some brasher males I have met, but he certainly makes sure that his performances are explosive, timely and poignant. Mave and Honey B have a knack for getting out of his way whenever he begins to drum. Willy B may have won this battle of displays.
The Willy B Method:
Step 1: Drag the barrel to a doorway that is just a few inches smaller than that barrel
Step 2: Slam the barrel against the window
Step 3: Keep drumming.
Step 4: Drum some more.
Step 5: Top it all off with a loud scream.
Step 6: finish the day with a blanket nest on your favorite indoor bench
Willy’s display drew Jamie out onto Young’s Hill. From her vantage near the Greenhouse, Jamie could watch the chute for further activity.
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Great post, photos and narrative. I used to live on Venice Beach about a block from the central area where the bongo drum group/s would play… nothing like drums to draw your attention and make you want to participate… 🙂 Thanks as always to all at CSNW
I’ll always remember the day Willy B & Burrito met face-to-face (out in the open) for the first time…You just knew sweet Burrito was somewhat frightened & unsure as he hung back in the doorway…Then there was Willy B just sitting nearby being so calm & patient as if he sensed Burrito’s uncertainty & wanted to give him time enough…That was such a tender moment to me…especially when Burrito gradually got the courage to slowly come out & tentatively began approaching Willy B., & then reaches out to Willy B with that outstretched hand…
What a beautiful thing to witness…
Between Jamie and Burrito and their different techniques of getting the neighbors attention, who gets the best response? Ha ha ha! Burrito looks so cute and innocent peeking out his window. Willy doesn’t have a hair out of place after his ruckus. He looks debonair (and also innocent) as usual.
CSNW sent me a lovely photo of Willy B, which I keep next to my desk as a reminder of the huge world that exists on this planet outside of homo sapiens. In this photo he looks like a Pre-Raphaelite angel, so other-worldly and peaceful. It’s good to be reminded that he has other aspects to his personality, barrel banging, displaying, and really being out there as a total chimpanzee, as we want him to be. So glad he has the opportunity to be himself 🙂
Just yesterday I signed up to be Willy B’s Pal. It looks like he can get
wild and crazy at times but so nice to see that he can be what he wants.
I like that – freedom – to be. Thanks for the blog.
Bless Burrito for his capacity for forgiveness…hope playdates will happen someday.
Willy B is like James Bond…lots of commotion, and not a hair out of place in the mext scene
Fabulous! I’m glad both groups have great barrel style??
An enjoyable post to read. It is heartening to know that Jamie and Willy B emulate the drumming of Keith Moon.
Lol, Tobin, you’re right! They just go for it!