Reassurance.

Reassurance is so interesting. I think, anyway. We can be so solid in our opinions up to 99% but sometimes just need someone to reassure us that we are correct, or are doing the right thing to actually believe it ourselves. Up until recently, I thought that this kind of emotion and anxiety was a homo sapien sapien attribute, specific to only us. At the sanctuary on Monday, I got a first hand lesson in chimp reassurance.

Although the sanctuary is not for studying the chimps, or for me to use the 7 as a basis for any of my theses; I do learn more there in a day than I ever think I could. The dynamics of these particular chimps are so different, each personality is so unique and I love nothing more than just observing their meals because watching them interact is amazing. I never go to the sanctuary with an idea of what will happen, because just like humans, the chimps choose what to do based on what's happening around them. They are in one area yes, but they hardly do the same exact thing every day. 

Everyone always seems to be so shocked that I drive to the sanctuary every week, because its in Cle Elum. Honestly, the drive is sometimes I little difficult (mostly because I think I have an untreated case of restless leg syndrome and the only radio stations that come in over there are country) But really, I would drive anywhere to work with those 7 chimps. I think that's a common feeling when you find your dream job. When you don't care where it is, or how long it takes to get there.  It's pretty beautiful. I like watching the sun come up over the mountains and getting to the sanctuary and watching the chimps gaze out the windows along side me. I like to think we are both admiring the beauty of the sunshine on the hills in Cle Elum.

ANYWAY, back to reassurance. 

In this particular group of chimps (and in many other chimps) the motion of poking, with one finger quickly in a chimps direction, is considered a threat. a) its a fast motion and chimps don't particularly like to be startled, much like us. and b) I think it has something to do with being in cages during their lifetime, constantly being poked and prodded is probably the most annoying thing. Probably like when babies become toddlers and get tired of adults calling us cute and pinching our cheeks. We reach and age where we get tired of it and finally say "OKAY STOP I'M A BIG GIRL NOW" or in my case, bite sometimes finger when they stick it in my face. whoops. 

So at the sanctuary, Lisa was serving the chimps lunch and one of the bags of chow got stuck in the caging, so she poked the bag through to pass it to Foxie. Jody was sitting right next to Foxie, saw Lisa poke the bag and immediately threatened Lisa, in this case with a vocalization to let her know that Lisa did something she didn't like. Normally, if a chimp threatens by vocalizing, the rest of the group will immediately respond with a vocalization and run to the chimp who started the calls and respond in whichever way is appropriate. After Jody vocalized, Jamie who was also sitting close, and is the alpha of the group, quickly grabbed Jody's face and pant-breathed on her nose, which is a gesture that says "hey, its cool don't panic she didn't mean to poke" Jamie was able to reassure Jody that everything was okay before the other chimps could respond with vocalizations. Jody immediately calmed down again and eating was resumed. 

This is a picture from Chimpanzee Santuary Northwest, from January of this year. Negra is open mouth kissing Jamie, which Jamie is allowing because she is giving reassurance. I have yet to find out the order of who gives the assurance first or who asks, sometimes Jamie gives reassurance without being asked, and sometimes the chimps ask Jamie. 

Open mouthed kissing and panting is a common way to reassure. 

Also at the sanctuary on monday, Missy gave reassurance to Jamie. Also at meal time, Missy and Jamie were sitting next to each other eating, and Missy moved quickly away to go inside, look for food, etc. Jamie snapped her head around so fast, hair standing on end about ready to vocalize and threaten Missy, probably for moving too quickly. Missy quickly offered her hand to Jamie's mouth, as if to say "woah hey sorry, didn't meant to scare you." Jamie accepted and Missy moved slowly away to inside. 

As far as I've seen reassurance happens most with Jamie, probably because she is the alpha of the group and everything needs to be run through her. Before eating foods, most chimps look to Jamie for reassurance so Jamie can okay them eating the food. Not asking for reassurance can lead to major disputes and fights in the group.

So, that's what happened on Monday. Lots of reassurance.Also, here is Burrito, the only male, looking out of the greenhouse.

Until next time! 

-B.