Posts by J.B.
A Natural History of Jerks
Male chimps can be jerks. True, females can also be jerks (see: Chimpanzee, Jamie), and not all males are jerks (at least not all of the time). There is an exception to every rule. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that chimpanzee jerkishness has a certain maleness to it, just as chimpanzee maleness contains a certain jerkishness.…
Read MoreCaravan
Running an organization with nearly a dozen staff and several dozen volunteers is a difficult task, but Jamie takes it all in stride. Enjoy this video of Jamie mobilizing all of the farm vehicles this afternoon. Here are some bonus photos from this smokey day:
Read MoreTips for Dealing with the Heat
This summer has been relatively mild so far (knock on wood) but we are now entering a stretch of 100+ degree days. Luckily, the chimps have it all worked out.
Read MoreRyan’s Party
What an interesting day! We began early this morning with a quick follow-up exam on Willy B. A couple of weeks ago, Willy was treated in the clinic for swelling in his scrotum and given an echocardiogram. His echo showed some minor cardiac concerns and Dr. Erin is now working with the chimps’ cardiologist, Dr.…
Read MoreTeamwork
Bite wounds are probably the most common injuries we see in chimps. Our treatment protocols for these wounds tend to be fairly conservative: administer analgesics for pain, clean frequently with antiseptic spray, and monitor closely. There are a few reasons for this. First, chimps have a superhuman (literally) ability to heal. Wounds that would send…
Read MoreA Trip to the Clinic for Willy B
Willy B took a trip to the clinic this morning. The main purpose of the procedure was to investigate some swelling in his scrotum. As usual, Dr. Erin assembled a great crew to ensure that Willy would have the best care possible. Dan Low, MD and Leah Bezzo, CRNA, both with Seattle Children’s Hospital, kept…
Read MoreMornings
One of the best spots to build a morning nest is the upper platform in Greenhouse 1. From there the chimps can watch the sun rise over the trees above Young’s Hill as they wait for the staff and volunteers to bring them breakfast. Foxie’s nests aren’t really nests, per se, as she doesn’t like…
Read MoreWhat Makes Us Tick
We’ve written a lot about that ways that Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) can improve the lives of captive animals, including—or should I say especially?— chimpanzees. Chimps are so powerful and so strong-willed that often the only way to get them to reliably engage in certain behaviors, whether it’s allowing the stick of a needle to…
Read MoreTwo Years with the Lucky Six
Can you believe it? Today we celebrated the 2nd anniversary of the arrival of the Lucky Six—Cy, Lucky, Terry, Dora, Rayne, and Gordo—from the Wildlife Waystation. As you probably know, the Lucky Six are now part of a group of nine, along with Willy B, Honey B, and Mave, and together they enjoyed a party…
Read MoreGrooming Party
For whatever reason, the chimps in Cy’s group like to congregate in the front rooms to groom in the late afternoon. Sure, the Bray is open to them but why groom outdoors in a 2-acre habitat when you can pack together like sardines in a tiny indoor space? Ah, but the chimps generally know what…
Read MoreAnother Day on the Bray
Despite this being one of the hotter days this year, the chimps in Terry’s group spent a considerable amount of time on the Bray. One of Terry’s favorite spots is on Ryan’s Lookout, where he is often joined by Rayne and Gordo. Cy even made the trek out to the Lookout the other day! Here’s…
Read MoreThe Most Popular Girl on the Bray
Lucky is one of the less social members of her group. While the others play and groom together, Lucky can often be found quietly perched on a bench overlooking it all or scooting across the floor in what we call her “blanket car.” Just like humans, some chimps tend towards introversion. But on the 6th…
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