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During our recent cold spell, chimpanzee Bo decided it was time for a little change of scenery. Sharing close quarters with Marco and Butch on the cold days proved a bit much, as too many macho personalities in one nighthouse make for a lively atmosphere! To keep things running smoothly, Bo temporarily relocated to another chimp nighthouse.
And what an adventure it turned out to be.
A move like this isn’t simply about managing personalities; it’s enrichment. New spaces, new sights, new neighbors… all of it keeps Bo mentally stimulated and engaged. One of his favorite discoveries was a higher section of aerial trailway connecting the chimp nighthouses. This particular one rises higher than the others, giving Bo the perfect sunny perch.
From his elevated lookout, Bo settled in to watch the world go by. He had a clear view of our maintenance contractors hard at work replacing a drainfield, which included lots of digging, construction trucks moving back and forth, and steady activity to observe.
The new vantage point also meant he could see other chimpanzees moving along their own trailways. At one point, Brooks casually poked his head around the corner and spotted Bo. Bo responded with enthusiastic hooting and a bit of banging for emphasis. Brooks, who happens to be Bo’s son, seemed to think, “Nope, not dealing with my father today,” and quietly turned around to duck inside for a nap out of Bo’s line of sight!
Bo’s stay in this temporary space is just that, temporary. He’ll soon return to his regular nighthouse and resume spending time with Daisy. In the meantime, this brief move has provided exactly what good enrichment should: fresh surroundings, new perspectives, and plenty of opportunities to observe, engage, and stay mentally active.
Even a little change can make a big difference in a chimp’s day.
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