Testing, Testing 1-2-3
September 5, 2023 by Chad -
It has been a little while since we have talked about enrichment for Rayne’s group. If you happen to have been wondering, yes. They are still destructive in comparison to Jamie’s group. We have been taking it slow to see what works and what doesn’t. The problem with that is that it is what it is; slow. Though more and more things are added to their growing repertoire of enrichment, some in that group have a burning desire to eat plastic, stuffing from stuffed animals, and some other things. Just because they are destructive, does that mean we should stop trying? If you’re hardheaded and stubborn like myself, then you know the answer is “no.”
It has been a slow process of introducing them to new things, but things are still moving along. We recently attempted to introduce them to firehose cubes. Before Mave, Honey B, and Willy B integrated into the Lucky Six, firehose cubes were on the list of food puzzles they received. Since the cubes are pretty durable, we decided that was going to be the next step. The first trial run was overall a success! There was some minimal damage when caregivers were able to retrieve the next morning, but nothing that would stop the second trial run.
Though six of the group of nine have not experienced firehose cubes before, they had some to show them the ropes.
Mave working her way through a firehose cube as Dora looks on
Willy B reunited with one of his favorite food puzzles
For others, it came naturally. For instance:
Rayne, the queen of all natural intuition, didn’t even hesitate to grab one and rummage through it
(Cy is to the right perusing through a magazine and Lucky is in the back)
Hopefully (fingers crossed) you all will be seeing some more photos of firehose cubes with Rayne’s group.
Here are some bonus photos from today:
Mave being silly with a sock
A photo montage of Missy before and during a lunch forage today
Jamie during today’s lunch forage
(Always has to keep an eye on what everybody else is doing)
Negra looking like the queen that she is
Burrito returning from a “walk” (read run) around Young’s Hill
19 Comments
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I have learned something today! For years I have seen what I now know is called a firehose cube, and I have never seen anyone engage with it by doing more than picking it up and tossing it! I had no idea it was a puzzle!
Yay for new enrichment!
Did Mave share any of the loot with her bestie?
Hi Chad! What did you put in the fire hose cubes? What is in Willy B’s hand in the second photo?
Firehose cubes are my favorite enrichment toy. They are great to look at! Sculpture squares! I am thrilled to see the nine giving them a whirl together. Hopefully Willy B, Mave, Honey B, and Rayne helped the others master the technique of conquering the cube. I’m thinking that you may need stuff half of Cy’s cubes with reading material in order to get him to pay attention. No matter what, hang in there Chad! Sometimes the destruction IS the enrichment (or it sure is with dogs in shelters). And if this is the case, you might need to set up a new link within your DONATE link titled “Fund Enrichment Toys”. 😉
Thanks for all the photos!
Neggie striking a pose is priceless. So if the rowdy group is also a bit destructive I guess the giant hanging mirror is out of the question as an enrichment piece. Too bad the chimps seem to enjoy checking out themselves, especially Willy B.
I believe their mirrors aren’t made from mirror glass; they appear to be made from high polished steel or some other metallic material. This ensures that they do not shatter into a milion fragments in case of rough handling. :monkey_face:
The big mirrors are made out of steel, but they have a thick plastic piece over them to prevent the steel from scratching, and this group managed to chew off that plastic covering when they first had the mirror. We do have mirrors that we can share with them on the other side of the windows, though.
Please…would somebody peel a grape for Negra?!
She needs somebody with a giant palm frond fanning her, too.
:laughing::smile:
I have a question. Had Cy ever seen magazines before coming home! So curious that in some pics he looks to be actually reading. Although i know he is not. It’s hard to not have a favorite. He is mine. His looks fit his role as leader of his group. He reminds me of the wise old grampa,, reading his morning paper. He just needs a cup of coffee and a pair or reading glasses.
Yes! Cy’s caregivers at Wildlife Waystation gave him magazines there. He really does look like he’s reading the way he scans the pages 🙂
I forgot to say that the best part of this blog was seeing that Our Queen got the top of the pineapple!
Right! I did notice that too. I just love how she’s checking out her manicure! LOL. What a lucky photo catch!!
oops, I Dictated my name and Siri didn’t get it right!
Right! I did notice that too. I just love how she’s checking out her manicure! LOL. What a lucky photo catch!!
I believe their mirrors aren’t made from mirror glass; they appear to be made from high polished steel or some other metallic material. This ensures that they do not shatter into a milion fragments in case of rough handling. :monkey_face:
Your comment is there–sometimes, to have to refresh or log out and back in in order to see them
:see_no_evil:Sorry – it was I who messed up! This was meant as the reply above, but somehow it ended up by itself, so then I posted the reply again as it was intended!