At Chimp Haven, we have an extensive training program with the goal of teaching our chimpanzees to present specific body parts to enable the best veterinary care. For example, a chimpanzee with a wound on their foot can be asked by a caregiver or veterinary technician to present the area to allow the wound to be viewed and treated. There are many stars of the training program–chimpanzees that are able to present almost every body part immediately when asked. One of these training sensations is our baby, Tracy. She will present her arms, head, legs, feet, hands, and, most charming of all, her adorable belly!
However, just like people, chimpanzees learn at different rates and by variable processes. One of the most basic behaviors is “target” which entails a chimp will reach out and touch a blue-capped pvc pipe purposely with a body part, most traditionally a finger. It is usually the first behavior that all chimps learn, and is a very easy behavior to train. It was with this in mind that I was experiencing frustration with my new trainee, a special-needs chimpanzee named Chaka. Chaka exhibits many symptoms that are synonymous with autism in humans. He lives in a smaller group and is well loved by all his group-mates and care staff alike, but was not considered a traditional participant for the training program due to his issues. I was given permission to work with him with the expectation that he might not progress.
“Target, Chaka.” I hopefully asked the freckly yet often blank face I had grown to love. He wouldn’t acknowledge the target. His hands were up so I gently touched his finger with the target, hoping he would make the connection. He jumped and backed away from me, shaking his head in disdain. I tried this over the next several weeks, rewarding him with his favorite beverage, Strawberry Ensure, every time he would allow me to touch him with the target. But he would not voluntarily reach out for it as the other chimpanzees do.
One training session I was holding his Ensure very close to his target. His lips stretched out to try and get his treat. On impulse, I lightly touched the target to his mouth. To my surprise, he impishly licked it! When I asked him to target again without the Ensure, he licked the target again. After a brief discussion with our behaviorist, we determined that he was performing a behavior with a purpose. Chaka currently will target consistently –with only his tongue! Now when I show him the target he bounces up to me with a sense of purpose. He might not be just like the other chimps, but Chaka showed he understood the command. Some chimpanzees learn rapidly, while others may take several years to build up a range of behaviors. It takes a lot of patience from both the chimpanzees and the staff to progress through the program, but as Chaka has taught me, it is a tremendously rewarding process.
~Rebekah Saucier
Very well written Rebekah!! As we all know Chaka is a very special chimp that always finds ways to highlight his uniqueness.
— From Raven Jackson, DVM
What a great story Rebekah! Chaka is lucky to have you as a care giver and trainer!!
— From Jennifer Whitfield
Keep going Rebekah. Sometimes the ones who are the hardest to connect to will benefit the most by that connection with you. Bless you for taking such interest in Chaka. Cheers to you both! (From a former chimp trainer)
— From Val Beardsley
That is awesome Chaka is an old friend of mine and is missed alot by our staff
— From Jennifer