Jason

Jason is a middle ranking chimp in his social group who loves to greet his caregivers by bouncing up and down on all fours very excitedly. He also loves to be one of the first to destroy the “destroyable” enrichment caregivers put up for them. Recently, caregivers got some lawn bags to fill with fun things for the chimps. They put toys and woodwool with a few peanuts inside the bags and Jason came running in, grabbed the enrichment, then smacked the bag back and forth on the ground until all the contents started flying out and the other chimps in his group reaped the reward of the peanuts! 

One of Jason’s quirks is that he still will not take food from the porch hoppers, but he has gotten really good at communicating with care staff to bring his food inside. He will sit in the door leading from the porch to the bedroom and stare at them until they move back inside and then will run and wait for them! 

Jason enjoys his fruits and vegetables but always makes sure to give them the “sniff test” before eating. He is very engaged with the other groups, showing off in front of other groups and being present when the other villas come up to visit his house. Within his group, he and Gertrude are frequently seen playfully slapping each other’s backs and laughing. He can also be very playful with humans, enjoying games of sliding toys back and forth with care staff.