CHIMPANZEES: JUST LIKE US, EVERYONE DIFFERENT!

CHIMPANZEES: JUST LIKE US, EVERYONE DIFFERENT!

 

There is a legend, or a non-told story, when it comes the subject of the relationship of the chimpanzees with water. Firstly, the great majority of the literature affirms they do no combine, that the chimpanzees have a true aversion to water. However, we can see chimpanzees in the wild playing near the water and even crossing rivers with water reaching their waist, like we see in films of Congo. In captivity, like in Sorocaba Sanctuary, there are the two cases: the ones who loves water and the one who hates it.

 

When it is hot, and as a part of the enrichment work, we offer them water from the hose, mainly for that ones whose enclosures do not have pools. Some chimpanzees respect and do not try to get or pull the hose; but others try to pull them inside the enclosure. Then, in order to avoid any kind of incident, we put the hoses close to the grate, to generate a kind of waterfall. And the reactions are the most different ones.

 

Just like each person has his or her own personality, with chimpanzees it is not different. Pinho and Nega get much fun with the water, washing themselves, scrubbing their hands, face, feet and even turn back so that the water fall over their bodies. After she gets wet, Nega lies down and begins to scrub her hands and feet in a very exciting manner, splashing water all over together with yells of joy. Pinho, more reserved, prefers to fill his mouth with water and wash some objects, like shoes and empty yogurt jars. Vitor is restricted only to satisfy his curiosity and drinks a few water, and, sometimes, also washes his hand. Mônica and Martin, even more carefully, prefer to climb the grate so that they do not get their feet wet and, of course, taking care no to wet anything else but the mouth.

 

Jango and Junior, who live together, have a little bit of each behavior. In the beginning they seem they do not want to get wet, but later, after some splashes, they get completely entertained, washing their hands, feed and face. Charles and Caco consist on another example of the ones who love water. Whenever we offer water from the hose, they enjoy moments of happiness and entertainment, drinking water and cleaning themselves.

 

Considering all these, it should no exist general concepts to chimpanzees. After all, just like us, each one has his or her own personality and a particular way to manage life. Then, they should be treated as individuals, according to their needs. Or you still think that the human beings, primitives or no, are all the same?

Msc. Luiz Fernando Leal Padulla

Biologist