Everyone has heard that chimpanzees are our closest relatives. And just like humans, chimpanzees love to play. Here at Chimp Haven our residents spend a significant part of each day playing with each other and playing with the carestaff. Chimpanzee “play” sometimes gets a little rough but can include playing chase, wrestling, grabbing each others feet and hands, and swinging things around in the air trying to hit their friends.
Some of my favorite moments as a caregiver have been partaking in play time with the chimpanzees. Les and Juan will solicit caregivers, veterinary techinicians, and enrichment technicians to play chase all day long every day. In this game, Les and Juan will run back and forth along the walls within their enclosure while caregivers run along with them on the other side of the wall. It seems as though you cannot tire them out. Marcus, Tarzan, and Spider love to be tickled using a long handle spoon. Marcus will laugh and laugh as you touch his neck, hip and back. Tarzan tries to keep up his “tough” persona at first but eventually will give in and loves when his back is scratched with the spoon. Spider tries to grab the spoon with her especially nimble toes, and grins as you rub her belly. Jessica loves to play tug-a-war with her caregivers, she always wins and rarely gives up.
Sometimes it is even more rewarding to simply step back and watch the chimpanzees play with other members within their social groups. Nicky, Paul, and John all love grabbing at each others feet and trying to trip each other. “Grandpa” Jimoh (as he is affectionately called) and baby Tracy have been spotted many times wrestling with large play face grins spread across their faces. Henry and Xavier certainly love to wrestle with each other, and sometimes their play time can get a little out of control. Ivy is the master at using props while playing with her groupmates, although sometimes she might be the only one who is playing! She loves to swing blankets, enrichment toys, and black hollow tubes at her friends as they run away from her.
Play is a necessary and important part of life, especially chimpanzee life. I am glad to be able to experience all the different ways that the chimpanzees here at Chimp Haven play.
~Amy
