Pan bloglodytes

At CHCI we do a lot of research on human interactions with the chimpanzees that live here. I have been thinking a lot about my own behavior when I interact with Tatu, Loulis, and Dar. So, I thought I would write about an interaction that Loulis and I just had.

It's very cold here in Ellensburg during the winter, and the chimpanzees spend a lot of their time indoors. As such, we try to provide many fun activities to keep them from developing too-bad a case of cabin fever. I was in the observation area when Loulis approached me for a game of chase. Since no other humans were around, I decided to get especially silly, and jumped up on the window ledge so that I could be up against the glass. Loulis seemed to think this was excellent, and started playfully knocking on the glass, and rubbing his knuckles up and down with a huge play face. I turned my back to him so that I could kick the glass with my bare feet. He responded in turn by turning his back and kicking the glass in the same place I was. I found it so interesting that he changed his posture to imitate my own that when he climbed down to play more chase, I did the same, and did my best to make it appear that I was running quadrupedally along the glass with him. When he back-hand-thumped the glass, I did the same, banging my wrist on the glass where he banged his wrist. This seemed to make him even more excited, and we ran along the glass together, banging our wrists and laughing for many minutes.

My wrist is a little sore now, but I've learned a valuable lesson about how adjusting my own behavior, as Loulis adjusted his, can make for a great interaction.

Editor's Note: Kelly has been working at CHCI for more than three years, and finished her time here as a Tech, the highest level of training available at CHCI.

December 31st is the end of my three year journey here at CHCI. I came to Central in 2005 for the Primate Behavior and Ecology major not knowing what to really expect. My sophomore year I started as an intern at CHCI and my life has never been the same. Not only have I met some really amazing human primates, but I have had the chance to meet four amazing non-human primates.

Some people find it hard to believe that I would be so strongly impacted by chimpanzees, but what they don't know is the first time you really look a chimpanzee in the eyes, you have a realization that they are so much more complex than you ever gave them credit for, or at least that is how my experience went. It's hard to put into words how it feels to have Tatu invite you into a peaceful grooming session for the first time, or how good it feels to have Dar offer you a kiss on a day when it seems like life is getting too crazy. I think the chimpanzees here have taught me some really great life lessons that I am lucky enough to walk away with. I think one lesson would be to enjoy the little things in life that most people take for granted, like being able to go outside. We aren't able to let the chimpanzees go outside if it is below 20 degrees which, if you've ever been to Ellensburg, can be quite a few days in the winter. I have had a few moments where I would be opening the door and the excitement would be overwhelming.

Yet, most humans don't have to worry about not having the choice to go outside. In fact, as humans we have almost unlimited choices in everything. The chimpanzees here are given as many choices as possible, including who they choose to be friends with, and like any friendship there is a level of patience and forgiveness involved. Some may argue that chimpanzees aren't patient, but if you've ever trained someone to give a drink from a hose you will see a lot of patience on the chimp's part. I have seen people accidentally spray the chimpanzees while trying to give them a drink and the chimpanzees' reaction isn't always anger, but often they may adjust and give the person another chance. I think this may be the greatest lesson I have learned from the family here.

Although I am leaving, I know the chimpanzees will be in good hands and will be well taken care of. So all I can say is goodbye Tatu, Loulis, and Dar. You guys are wonderful and I hope you continue to shape others who have the opportunity to be your friends. To all of the human primates, thank you for always supporting me and thank you for all the good times. I will miss you all.

The Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute is located on a university campus. As such, the number of interns who are able to put time in over school holidays is limited. But, those interns who do stay find ways to have a good time, even without their home-bound comrades.

Today is Tatu's birthday and an exciting day for her indeed, filled with the many treats she loves, pants and hugs from her dear mates, Dar and Loulis.  As I pondered Tatu's birthday this morning on my commute, I thought about her mother, Thelma.  Tatu's birthday, like most mammal's birthdays, really involved two people, Tatu and her mother.  Usually mothers are overjoyed at the appearance of their wrinkled baby.  I wonder how Tatu's mother, Thelma, felt.  On December 30, 1975 Thelma lost her baby.  Tatu arrived in the Gardner's cross-fostering laboratory on January 2, 1976, just 3 days old.  Meanwhile Thelma had a total of 8 babies; she was used as a breeder by the biomedical community.  She went from the Institute for Primate Studies in Oklahoma, to the Laboratory for Experimental and Surgical in Primates (LEMSIP), to Coulston Foundation and now thankfully she is in sanctuary at Save the Chimps in Ft. Pierce, FL.  So Tatu's birthday gave me pause today to think of the sadness that her mother endured on the day she lost yet another baby.  I follow this with applause to the many people who continue to work to end this cycle of exploitation.  Thanks to you all.

 

Here are some pictures from the party today!

 Humans prepping all the exciting treats for the day - including Tatu's favorite: MILK!

Tatu enjoying some of the treats from the party!

Dar stuffed his mouth with three clementines before heading up to the cargo net.

Editor's Note: Audrey is a new Chimp-Care Trainee. She is in the beginning stages of her Chimp-Care training. This is her first Sweet Tree Day with the chimpanzees

Today was a great day to be at CHCI...it was finally SWEET TREE DAY!! Yay!!  The wait was finally over for Tatu, Loulis and Dar.   We all put up decorations in the east room, with Tatu getting more and more excited to go OUT.



As all of us volunteers gathered in the observation area to watch the chimpanzeess come into the East Room to start Sweet Tree Day!!  Loulis went straight for the gingerbread house, ripped the top off and put it in his mouth.  Tatu went straight for the meat, cheese and cracker filled baggies, trying to find as many as she could.  Dar went to the little picnic area and started drinking all the apple cinder.  He then found a lunchables pack, and took off with it to the West Room to try to eat it in private.  He enjoyed the Reese's candy first, and then bit into the Capri-Sun juice.  Tatu eventually caught up with him, and tried to take it his lunchable.  Dar shoved a lot of the cheese and meat pieces into his mouth, then gave Tatu just one piece of cheese, as he quadrupedally walked away, his mouth bulging with snacks.



Later, while Lou was examining his gingerbread house, Tatu tried to steal it, but he oriented himself away from her, and she lost interest.



Dar found a pomegranate, and went up into the cargo net in the east room and held it with his foot, looking pretty sleepy.



Not long after, while I was on berm in the observation area, all three chimps were sleeping.  It seems that they had "Sweet Tree'ed" themselves out.  Today was a very ''black'' day!! 

Christmas celebrations abounded at CHCI this morning. Chimpanzees and caregivers alike came together to celebrate with a big party.

There were bags full of meat and cheese, whole pomegranates and tangerines, peppermint candies, sparkling cider, lunchables packs, leeks, and a beautiful gingerbread lighthouse. There were also wrapped toys and plenty of decorations. The chimpanzees had a wonderful party and, after several hours of eating and playing, settled down for a long winter's nap.

Thanksgiving dinner was a huge affair at CHCI. The ovens were going for hours before dinner started, and the chimpanzees were waiting anxiously as the sweet and savory smells of turkey, stuffing, and homemade cranberry sauce filled the building.

 

Dinner started with an apple cider forage, which elicited many food grunts and squeaks. There was sweet potato casserole, topped with toasted marshmallows, painstakingly arranged by Lani Gusman, rolls fresh from the bakery, green bean casserole with almonds toasted by Missie Cole. The coup de grace was the turkey, roasted to perfection by Lisa Schuster Lyons. Debbie Metzler made the gravy, which was poured over the turkey and potatoes. Madeleine Leake made stuffing and Janie Gibbons freed the cranberry jelly from its can, and sliced it meticulously. Rebecca Hendershott helped with the roasted potatoes and cranberry salad.



For dessert there was a homemade pumpkin pie, baked with love by Robin Potosky, topped with whipped cream

 

Tatu especially liked the turkey, potatoes, and both cranberry sauces, and had many helpings. Dar ate every roll in sight, and had several helpings of cranberry sauce. Loulis devoured the sweet potato casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauces, and the almonds from the green beans.



Dar and Loulis both enjoyed the pumpkin pie immensely; Dar had two slices!



In the end, everyone seemed to get just what he or she wanted for dinner, and in great quantities. What a party, indeed!

Just in time for the holidays: a list of things that the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Center needs.

Just click the link below and it will take you to an Amazon.com wishlist with many things that can help enrich the lives of the chimpanzees that live at CHCI. You can make a direct impact on the lives of Tatu, Loulis, and Dar. There's something for every budget!

Just click here, or copy/paste the below web address into your address bar.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/DQAKW0M8SXUT

Thank you, and Happy Holidays!