Comments on: Caregivers’ Use of Chimpanzee Behaviors

By: Sara Lissabet

Sara Lissabet — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:29:44 +0000

Yes, thank you for educating us on this incredibly important subject. I bet if we spent more time on interspecies communication and less time thinking we are the dominant species we would be amazed at what we can accomplish with animals. I hope I have the chance to interact with a chimpanzee now that I know how to let them know I am not one of the “bad guys.”

By: Gayle

Gayle — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:03:51 +0000

Another great video… thank you!! It must be so rewarding to interact with these guys everyday. This past October, I was in North Carolina visiting relatives and went to the NC Zoo in Asheboro. They have a troop of chimps with full glass enclosures for viewing. There was one chimp sitting close by, Jonathan, and I sat down and had the best time ever!!!!! I never interacted with a chimp before!! We did quite a bit of head bobbing and when I extended my wrist out to him, he gently tapped the glass with his knuckle. My sister thought i was crazy (and I’m sure other visitors did too) when I started dancing for him . But Jonathan gave me head bobs and a play face. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and I’ll never forget it.

By: Cynthia Pierson

Cynthia Pierson — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:52:40 +0000

Fantastic little vids of the behaviors. So interesting. I would love to read your paper as well. I kept wondering why the caregivers offered their wrists, and thought it was for protection! Now I know.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:19:01 +0000

Thanks, everyone!

Pam- How flattering! :) I’d be happy to email a copy. If anyone is interested, email Jackie@chimpsanctuarynw.org. It was also, in conjunction with some other research on the topic, published in the journal Zoo Biology in 2008 and will be published in another behavior journal. Shoot me an email for more information!

By: Amy M

Amy M — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:51:58 +0000

Jackie — Congrats on finishing your thesis and I’d love to read it, too!

What a fabulous post this is. Thank you for teaching us and for helping us to be more knowledgeable advocates. This illustrates the difference between sanctuaries and other institutions that have chimpanzees: you are entirely chimp-focused — the chimps’ needs come first.

By: Candy (Tyler, TX)

Candy (Tyler, TX) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:49:00 +0000

It seems to me that Burrito has gotten a lot more playful this year. Does Burrito put something in his mouth when he wants to play? I kept thinking he was going to choke, on whatever was in his mouth, while playing with J.B.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:56:21 +0000

Amazing video, Jackie! I love the playfullness and eagerness of the chimps to play with their caregivers. I have always loved watching chimps display. It’s such an impressive show of strength. I have to admit though that J.B. and Burrito were my favorite. We don’t often get to see him play when food is not involved…LOL. Thanks for the great insight into the chimp world.

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:36:57 +0000

Kudos on finishing your thesis! That’s a huge accomplishment!

These are very informative little film bits – many thanks for sharing them. (That was quite the noisy display there at the end. LOL.)

By: Margaret and Karen

Margaret and Karen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:23:50 +0000

This is great, Jackie. I want to learn more and more about your research. Wonderful teaching with video illustration.

By: Pam

Pam — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:52:20 +0000

Thank you SO MUCH, Jackie… this was wonderful to watch and to learn from. It would be a great video to tell every volunteer to watch.
Any chance we can reach your thesis???