Lucky Us
October 15, 2022 by Diana -
There are chimpanzees in captivity who are front-and-center as soon as you meet them and every day thereafter. Burrito and Jamie, for example.
Then there are chimpanzees who allow others in their group to take the human-liaison role and more often hang out in the background.
Sometimes, this is because they just aren’t that interested in the humans (think Missy). More power to those confident types who just don’t need us bipedal apes (unless there are tomatoes to gather from the garden, of course).
Sometimes, chimpanzees are just shy or apprehensive. I can relate! It might take them more time to warm up to caregivers (think Gordo).
Sometimes, there are chimpanzees who choose certain humans they connect with, while they are pretty ambivalent about other people in their orbit (the best example of this with the chimpanzees I’ve known over the years was Washoe – she had her favorite people, and was SO EXCITED to see them. Everyone else was simply there to wait on her, and the rare occasions when she decided to pay attention to you, if you were not on her favorite list, were thrilling. And she knew this.)
Personally, I’m just not sure about Lucky and where she fits on this spectrum I just made up. She does greet her caregivers with enthusiasm, and seems to be more enthusiastic with certain humans (Jenna may be her human BFF right now). She’s not front and center like others in her group. She is often at a bit of a distance, observing.
The other day, I felt very privileged to sit down with Lucky for a somewhat extended period of time while she was in the Oakwood Greenhouse.
She quietly sat, wanting to groom my hand, and looked into my eyes. Towards the end of our interaction, she started to look around, like she was searching for something but not finding it.
After a few seconds, she reached over to the bamboo plant next to her and pulled off a leaf. Then, she handed it to me through the caging.
I don’t know what she was thinking when she did this, but it seemed to be a gesture of friendship, and it made my day.
Bonus photos of one of the more gregarious chimpanzees in Lucky’s group. The ever-present Terry:
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I think I would frame that!
Awh, this made my week!!!:heart_eyes:
Diana, this just made me cry, it was so beautiful. Lucky was sharing with you that she feels comfortable in your presence, and she gifted the leaf to you. What more could you want? Other than a hug! ? ?
That is just so sweet….. that would make my day too….Frame it …why don’t ya!!
beautiful moment of friendship.
What a beautiful, precious moment!
Poignant story. Lucky indeed! And that Terry is so handsome!
Frame it was the first thing I thought of. Is there a way to preserve it first? I thought maybe dipping it in wax might work. what a special gift Diana. l will smill when ever l think of it.
Diana, I love this story,
I think the little leaf needs to be saved, do you keep a diary?
Maybe save it like a pressed flower, from a special date night. Such a sweet gift.:revolving_hearts:
That’s what I was thinking, too!:wilted_rose:
I don’t usually keep a diary. I appreciate all of these ideas for preserving the little leaf!
Diana,
Thank you for posting this story. I don’t often get to see or read about Lucky — she often seems high in her perch, keeping an eye on the action below — so reading about your quality time with her was a treat.
Perhaps Lucky is curious (as I am) to leave n about your time (and conversations) with Washoe.
Lovely story. Lovely time with Lucky. Beautiful, breathtaking gift to you!
I was not among Washoe’s favorites, so I waited until she decided to grace me with a bit of attention. She had such a powerful presence and was a very special person who led her small family with confidence. I had a great deal of respect for her. Her life story and strength led me to do what I do today!
My memory of Washoe was probably when I was new to Chimpanzees.
I saw the clip of her being brought back to – the wild? – a safe outside space? She was brought in her cage and when she looked around she met Jane Goodall, who had never met her. She went up to Jane and hugged her long and special. Loved that clip and remember it, at least for its overview if not the details. It was very special.
I’ve seen that video, but was that Washoe?
Yes, but I still could be wrong. I’ll check it out.
I come across that video every once in a while and rewatch again and again. Always gets me crying in its beauty. i had no idea that was Washoe. But into the wild? How?
it wasn’t Washoe. her
name was Wounda
Yes, but I still could be wrong. I’ll check it out.
Oh, dear! I think it was Wounda. So sorry. They both contain a W, an A, an W. Simple error :slight_frown:
How about an A instead of two Os?
I think you were thinking of a wild chimp called WOUNDA, who was rescued and then released with Ms Jane accompanying her. Wounda was yhe one who hugged Ms.Jane very long and intentional.
Similar names, yes! Washoe’s obituary was in the NYT – very unusual for a nonhuman to have that level of recognition: https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/science/01chimp.html
and the Wounda video always gets me too. Here’s more about Wounda https://news.janegoodall.org/2017/11/21/tchimpounga-chimpanzee-of-the-month-wounda/
I usually get a little pang of excitement when I see Lucky in a post because she isn’t usually “front and center”. She seems elusive. I am intrigued by her and always want to know more about her.
Needless to say to say the sweet interaction between you two made my day! What did it feel like to be the recipient of that freshly picked leaf?! Wow. That’s a special-stay-with-you-moment if I ever heard one. What a treasure. I loved that you photographed the leaf.
Thanks so much for this story. It absolutely made my day. I look forward to seeing Lucky discover new friends and experiences over time.
How sweet. You’ve had a soul encountering with Rayne and Honey B, maybe Cy will spend quiet time with you too. These half siblings can be a bit reclusive like Missy but these intelligent chimps certainly can communicate when they want. You should feel very special.
If you frame it, please take it into the compound so she can see it………there is something very special in her attention to you…….
I agree. Call it turning a corner or a page or whatever, but something changed. It sounds like she is a bit of a loner with a big heart. And you touched it, Diana. And made me cry, too, but a good little cry.
I used to preserve leaves by ironing them under waxed paper, which leaves a very thin coating. But there may be a better way.
Thank you, Francoise! That’s a good tip about the wax paper. I am definitely not the only person that Lucky has connected with, which made this moment so special to me personally, but didn’t make me special. 🙂
Maybee she thought it was time for you to get back to your other jobs and was saying “Leaf now”????
Haha! Maybe you’re right!
Diana, what a special moment between the two of you. Very touching.
Do they use leaves, or particularly bamboo parts, for anything special to them?
I dont know about banboo but they use leaves for drinking water.
The eyes of those Chimps will be forever secreted in my soul.
what an honor!!:blush:
Glycerin will preserve it. And retain its color.
Thank you for the tip, Paulette!
Diana, this interaction between you and Lucky is so sweet. You have a special way with the chimps. it reminds me of your blog of several months ago when you were sitting and looking into Honey B’s eyes and relaying to her somehow how sorry you were for everything that happened to her prior to coming to the Sactuary.
I have read so much about Washoe, her story is fascinating and you are so lucky to have known her.
Touching story about the leaf. You must feel so honored…and yes, I would frame that leaf or find some way to preserve it. It’s a moment that has happened to no one but you and a moment that will never happen again.
Wow Diana, that is so touching; it must have been wonderful to connect with Lucky just by being there and looking into her eyes, and to receive a gift.
If only people would take more time to do that; the world would be a different place…..
Diana, what an incredible moment and gesture on her part for you. I teared up when I read it because of its touching, intentional quality on her part. And what a lovely picture of the connection you have with each other. Such a gesture of appreciation and deep communication. Thank you (and all the staff) for being so very present with the chimps as part of their family connections. Such a lovely experience that you shared with us.
What a heartwarming story and what an honor!!! Such a special moment for sure!!!!