No poop=good day!

WELL OKAY. so many updates about my shift at the sanctuary on Monday! I apologize for the lateness, the pass was quite slow getting home and I had to rush straight to rehearsal and I couldn't post any earlier than now!

This was my drive home, chains and then no chains and then traction tires required and I ended up stopping 4 time to put chains on and take them off again. Although, I am quite good at it now, and a trucker even said that I was the first woman in a pink coat he's ever seen putting chains on. Sexism aside, I was so clucking proud of myself, and I almost had him take a picture of me with my car all chained up. (because honestly I 'm not sure my dad thinks I did it at all.) :) 

ANYWHOOZER, so much snow in Cle Elum on Monday yall, the chimps went outside to get the food and ran right back inside until the next dish was being served. Except of course, Burrito, who loves food more than anything ever. 
As I've said before, I'm in training to be a level 3 caregiver, which means I will get to play with the chimps, serve meals and interact with them all! As a level 2 at the moment, I am allowed to enter enclosures to clean and such, but I am not allowed to play with the chimps. Its a process which has to be taken slowly, as I am a completely new personality being introduced to each chimp and I have to learn the ranks of the group and make sure everyone is comfortable with me, which again takes some time. 
Monday was pretty mellow, during the winter the chimps don't really like to be in the greenhouse because it is so cold, and them going outside is very rare, although Jamie does still like to walk around the hill sometimes. 

One of the things I do at the sanctuary is clean, which is actually kind of fun. Mostly because I get to look at the nests that the chimps make. Above is a Missy nest. Nothing about this particular nest says its Missy's, I just watched her make it. Sometimes when there are boots in a nest, we can hypothesize that its Jamies, or when there are Dora dolls or troll dolls in/around it, we can guess its  Foxies. Watching the chimps make their nest is one of my favorite things to observe. Its so similar to us getting ready for bed/nap time. A lot of the time, the chimps will push blankets through the caging and wrap them around themselves, so they are completely locked in. Once they are cozy, they do a few circles, much like a human would roll around in bed until they get comfortable and sleep. When I have to take the nests down to clean, often times they are stuck together as one circular object, the chimps really wrap and interweave them tight!

So monday, I had my first 1/2 hour of my hour of required guided observation for my level 3 training. This means that I sit with a staff member and observe the chimps, not interacting or anything, but just watching and listening to what the staff member tells me. I observed Jamie and Foxie, in two separate rooms but right next to each other. Katelyn, the staff member and level 3 caregiver was serving snow to the chimps. Jamie is the alpha, so we can do what she says is okay, meaning if she starts to display and vocalize when Katelyn is serving Foxie ice, then Katelyn stops and offers Jamie some. It's amazing the way Jamie has control over everything. We tell Jamie what we are doing and who we want to play with because she understands what we say, wholeheartedly. And if she doesn't like something, she will LET YOU KNOW. 

While observing Katelyn and Foxie play, (which was so heartwarming. They get a long so beautifully and pass the dolly in and out of the caging, Katelyn gives the dolly a kiss and passes it to Foxie who gives it a kiss and its so ridiculously precious. They both have play face on and bob their heads up and down to show they are playing and its so beautiful I couldn't even make it up if I tried.) Jamie was just watching me, and pointing at my boots because she LOVES boots, and everything was fine. 

Here is Jamie, being totally normal and not hazing me. Sorry for the quality, my phone is not the best. 

THEN: jamie walks over to the water, fills her cheeks and begins to shake the cage door hard. She was pilo erect (meaning all her hair was standing up on end) but not vocalizing. Katelyn, hearing her distress noises comes over to offer her more ice, thinking she is upset that Foxie is getting so much play time.

WRONG.

Jamie completely unloads her mouthful of water all over me, soaking my head and chest. After that, she looks at Katelyn, drops her bottom jaw (play face) and bounces up and down nodding. LAUGHING AT ME. laughing. I knew this was coming, Jamie is the first chimp to haze new caregivers. And even though I was soaked and being laughed at by my boss, I could not have been more happy. She noticed me. I was not just a fly on the wall, she saw me there and new I was training and has begun the hazing. Well, here we go James. One day, you will like me. and walk around the hill with me. 

No poop for me guys, she just soaked me. And trust me when I say, no poop is a good day. 

much love to yall. 

-b

Lets talk about chimps baby..

Alright, let me start off by apologizing for that hideous title. It was the only thing I could think of. (In case you have been living under a rock for the 80s, 90s and 00s its a reference to "Lets Talk about Sex" by Salt-n-Pepa.) HORRIBLY INAPPROPRIATE I KNOW but I couldn't for the life of me think of another title.

I got an email request to speak a little more in depth about apes and language use, as it is one of the staples of a being with a higher intelligence level. So, I'll let you in on what I know about.

Next of Kin by Roger Fouts is (in my opinion) the best book on chimpanzees and language use. While I do know of Koko, the gorilla who used sign language, I don't know as much as I do about the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI) based in Ellensburg, WA. 

                    *BECAUSE IT ANNOYS ME: I feel the need to jump on a soap box for a moment and tell you that the book next of kin is based on Washoe, who was the first of the soon to be 5 chimpanzees who used sign language at CHCI. The chimpanzee on the cover of this book who is also permanently tattooed on my left arm, is not Washoe as many people believe. It is my sweet girl Moja. So, when you google Washoe sign language and you see that picture, now you will know that it is actually Moja.

This is Washoe. <3 

ANYWHOOZER:

 Washoe was adopted as a young chimp by the Gardners for their research to see if an ape could learn a human language. She was cross-fostered with the Gardners son, meaning she was raised along side him like a human child. She was the first non-human primate to learn a human language. THE FIRST. If that doesn't shock and amaze you, I don't know what will. 

well, probably lots of other things but whatever. 

Around 1980 Washoe moved to Ellensburg with the Fouts' to being the research with apes and human language. Later Moja, Tatu and Dar joined the family and all learned sign language and began speaking to each other and human caregivers. Washoe was the matriarch of the CHCI family, and her journey was truly a remarkable one. When Washoe lost her first baby, she was then given Loulis, to hopefully adopt as her own child.  Once she adopted him as her own, the researchers decided they would not sign in front of him to see if Washoe would teach him sign language on her own, without caregivers to aid. And as the story goes, Loulis was the first non-human primate to learn a human language from another non-human primate. AMAZING. 

What I enjoy most about the CHCI project (besides the fact that it was another huge first in primate research) is that the research is oriented around the chimps and not the other way around. The researchers and caregivers put the chimps needs first, and when the chimps don't want to sign anymore, the researchers are done for the day, instead of pushing and pushing the animal just to get results. The program at Central is the best in the country, and I can't even wait to participate and obtain a masters degree. 

If I wasn't so head-over-heels in love with conservation and evolutionary studies, non-human primate communication would be a very close second to study. I think communication across the animal kingdom is beautiful. Even though it sounds ridiculous, I think all animals can understand what I am saying, even my dumbass dog and snobby cat. I know the chimps can understand my words the same way I can understand their body language. Although Tatu and Loulis are the only two of the 5 chimps from CHCI remaining and have moved to Canada to live out their lives in a sanctuary, I am eternally grateful to everyone at CHCI for their work, the chimps for their amazing abilites and lessons and I will always remember meeting each of them at CHCI and signing about HUG/LOVE and SHOES. (and in Tatu's case BLACK, which was her favorite color and also the word she used for "cool" or anything she was super interested in.) 

Here is Tatu signing BLACK (index finger dragged over your brow) 

So, there is my bit of knowledge about the CHCI program. Beautiful things happened. Totally awesome.  

much HUG/LOVE (arms crossed in x over your chest) to all ya'll. 

-b

Jambo! Moja choo tafadali

WELL WELL WELL. Here we are again.

Since my last post was more factual, statistics based, today's will be more about what I'm doing/reading/etc.
I am currently reading In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall, in preparation for my level 3 status at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.*SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*

For those who don't know, I spend time working with chimpanzees at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (chimpsanctuarynw.org) when I'm not making coffee or working in the theatre. It is one of the only times that I truly feel happy and at home, as close to Tanzania and my lifetime goals as I can get at the moment. There are 7 chimps there who were previously biomedical testers from the east US. They are truly all amazing beings with their own personalities and traits that never cease to amaze me. Negra loves peanuts but is not so fond of peppers. Jamie loves cowboy boots and insists that we wear them when we walk around the enclosure with her. Burrito loves FOOD. ANY TYPE OF FOOD AT ALL. It's truly an honor to work so close with them.

Here is Jody, my favorite lady (don't tell the others) looking BEAUTIFUL as always.

Starting level 3 means that I get to interact with the chimps on a face to face basis. (Not inside the enclosure people, chimps are 7-10 times stronger than a male at peak physical condition.) I get to play with Foxie and her troll dolls, walk Jamie outside and feed the chimps meals. It's what I've been working for since I started at the sanctuary and NOW ITS REAL. *poops pants* phew. Seriously though, I can't wait to update the blog with all my adventures in chimping one on one with the 7 beauts I've got to work with! It will surely be a learning experience, as each chimp is very different and while Burrito may love me (although its very unlikely because he loves the blondes more than brunettes. I'm not even joking.) Jamie may not like me, which means if she is around I cannot play with Burrito openly unless Jamie says its okay. "Says" clearly meaning communicating with me physically that I can play with Burrito. (walking away, not vocalizing) If she's not okay with it, she will let me know (aka throwing some poop at me, displaying and angrily vocalizing). So, it will be an interesting few months of learning where I stand with each chimp, and you can expect to be updated on all my adventures. I have yet to have Jamie throw poop at me, but I'm not holding my breath. :)

If you are looking for a good general book about chimps and Jane Goodall's work, I would highly recommend In the Shadow of Man. It's super easy to read and doesn't require a background in primates to understand. It's one of Jane's more famous works, as it's one of the first books written about her discovery of chimps and tool use. Really, anything from Jane comes highly recommended from me. :)

Some swahili: 

Hello: jambo (johmbo)

Toilet: choo (choh)

one: moja (i've heard moya or mohja) 

please: tafadali (tahfadali) 

Hello one toilet please? Jambo! Moja choo tafadali?

I mean, what else could you possibly need to know?

Have a great valentines day tomorrow, and remember that you are in SO MANY RELATIONSHIPS. Friends, family, loved ones, are all relationships so don't get down if you are single on valentines, its a day of love so share love with those in your life.
-b

98.76% Chimp

Happy Saturday! Yay weekend. I have no idea what those are, but i'm sure some of you out there have a day off today so I hope you are doing something fun, or at least nothing at all. I'm a firm believer in taking one day every once in a while to completely shut down. Turn off everything electronic, nap, and spend time outside. So, DO THAT if you are out of things to do. 

         One brief note: I do not claim to know everything about everything chimpanzee. While it is my area of study, and I have read more books than I can count on chimps, evolution, etc I am still learning every day. If anything I say here interests you, I highly encourage you to look it up and learn more. (or send me an email on it and I can give a more detailed blog post after I do some reading up myself. ) 

My first blog post is about 98.76%. A pretty high percentage, like the best I ever did on a test ever. In high school. College was hard okay? jeez. 98.76% is how much genetic material we share with pan troglodytes. aka chimpanzees. We share more DNA with chimps than African and Asian elephants do, which as a statistic BLEW MY FRIGGIN MIND. Seriously though. (African and Asian elephants share something like 96-97% DNA but don't quote me on that. you know, the next time someone asks you about African and Asian elephants.)

 I choose to say I am 98.76 chimp. As you can probably tell from our outsides, that 1ish% leftover makes a huge difference. There are many things outside of our genetic makeup that tie us together. SUCH AS:

TOOL USE. by far the biggest and most shocking discovery to many primatologists and scientists around the world. Tool use was one of the huge last things on the list of what separates us from ape, and once Jane Goodall discovered chimpanzees using tools to catch food, everyone's world was flipped. Many males in the science world stepped forward and called bullshit on Jane's research because of course animals can use tools. What makes us human is that we take things and turn them into tools. We create things out of other things, which no animals in the kingdom have been able to do. So Jane was like WHATEVS GUYS and then observed a chimp break a branch off of a tree, take the leaves and twigs that were attached and rip them off, and use it to catch the termites. Thus, creating a tool that was once unusable. BOOM ROASTED.

LANGUAGE USE: Studies at Central Washington University (wanna give me a masters? OH YES YOU DO) with Washoe (WASH-OH), a chimpanzee who was raised with humans and taught sign language showed the chimpanzees ability to learn and use a formally only human language. And of course, some people said "well of course she can copy exactly what you are signing, that doesn't mean she is learning the language." So then studies were recorded of Washoe learning and forming HER OWN sentences that caregivers had not used in front of her before. BOOM ROASTED AGAIN. But again, that to some people still wasn't good enough. So, when Washoe became pregnant, and the researchers decided to not sign in front of her child at all, to see if Washoe would teach her son Loulis (LOO-LIS) any of the signs she had learned. What happened you as? SHE TAUGHT LOULIS SIGN LANGUAGE. No humans needed man, Washoe was a single mama teaching her baby how to ask for chase and play all on her own. Once again, roasting everyone who said it couldn't be done. SUCKAS. 

 

Loulis (left) and Washoe

More things we share are things like, our gestation periods, both chimps and humans are pregnant for 9 months, typically giving birth to 1 baby, twins have occurred in chimp births. 
We share 10 digits on our hands and feet. 
We both fall under the great ape category (with gorillas, orangutans, bonobos-who are typically included with chimpanzees, as there are only 3 species of great apes)
Our social habits- CHIMPS GOSSIP TOO. They just do it in a different way. :) 
We are both omnivores- MEATS AND PLANTS FOR DINNER HUNNY. 

SO, with that 98.76% when I'm working at the sanctuary I feel like I'm looking at my grandma, or my cousin. Especially Negra, who is the oldest chimp at the sanctuary and has the exact same mannerisms as my grandma. Stoic and only making vocalizations when she REALLY wants to be heard, I can't help but recognize that she is my elder, and give her the most respect I can. Which is also why I believe in stopping medical testing on chimps. BUT THAT'S FOR ANOTHER POST.

phew. was that a lot? Felt like it. Hope I didn't overwhelm. THERE'S JUST SO MUCH GOOD SHIT TO LEARN GUYS. Totes. Off to rehearsal.

-b.

APEtitude

Coming up with a name for a blog is hard. I mean, you try to pick something personal to you, that means something, and as you funnel through all of the domain names already taken, it's almost your mind ordering memories and people are most to least important. 

WEIRD.

So, I've decided to start this blog. Chimpin' Around- My Life with Chimpanzees. An ode to Jane Goodall's "My Life with Chimpanzees." Why am I blogging now? I've tried blogging in the past and it has been a horrible path of posting two things and then never looking at it again. I think it was because I was selfishly blogging about my life, (which will still happen) but now I want to do a little more than updates on how many times I said I today. SO: WHY NOW? WELL I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED.

a) Everyone asks me on a daily basis what I want to do with chimps, where I work, where I want to work, etc. So now I have a place to give updates!
b) I read probably 1-3  books a week on travel, africa, chimps, gorillas, primates, anthropology, biology etc. and lots of my friends want to know what I'm reading and if they should read it, so now I can keep up to date on good books that are helpful for general and more specific knowledge.
c) This blog will serve as a place to learn basics. Basic chimp knowledge, basic swahili (as I'm learning it!) basic conservation stats. 

Because (and I know you aren't supposed to start a sentence with because but FUCK THE RULES) I love chimps so much, I want others to understand why. To learn along with me, so maybe one day we can all work together to conserve our next of kin. 

SO: In here you can expect: 
Updates on the chimps I'm working with. 
Travel things as I go to Africa and study chimps.
Book recommendations.
Lots of profanity. Because I can. 
Basic chimp facts and stats. 
Minor (hopefully) updates on my life. (IE: applying/going to grad school, losing my mind, peace corps, playing with chimps, getting married, tattoos, SHENANIGANS.) 

Please, feel free to check in from time to time and learn a little something, or just laugh. I mean, I think i'm pretty funny. 

-B.