February, 15^th, 2015

Samantha really knows all that we speak!

At the moment I cannot illustrate what I witnessed with Samantha and Caesar, because she does not like camera and gets nervous. Sometimes she lets me, but that’s when she allows me. Oh … you think shooting chimps is easy?! It is when they want.

Yesterday, Sunday, was the day of working part time, with a small number of employees. It is usually very calm, without delivery trucks, tractors and noise, without our daily routine service and maintenance of the Sanctuary, only the sound of birds, and some sounds by far of our beloved chimpanzees talking among themselves. I arrived very early, by the time many are still asleep, when the sun has not yet awakened, the car headlight is still necessary. I arrived with all “gas” because I do not have help and have to prepare trays with food, milk for the youngsters… many things pass before my eyes, but the smile of a happy chimpanzee seeing the goodies coming, another happy to playing catch-up, even in the corridors… ah, these do not go unnoticed. As much as we know the intelligence of these beings, we still admire it. Therefore, it cannot stay to myself what I witnessed yesterday afternoon, so here we go.

Samantha is with her daughter Sofia and her son Caesar in a room where, in the outdoor area, there are two-story cement houses and an access ramp to the grass. It is time of the milk bottle and Caesar is still adjusting to the new routine. Then I came and started shouting the name of Caesar, as well as calling Sofia, Sara and Susi, in a sign that I’m hoping to nurse them, but Caesar did not come; only Sofia came to me and Samantha also came close behind. And Caesar, nothing !!! Then, I asked Samantha – Samantha will you please seek Caesar for me, and SHE DID IT!!! She left quietly, gently took Caesar’s arm and came pulling him, just like a human mother pulling a child who is bored in a corner; she brought  him to the middle of the way and let him go. Caesar, as his father Emilio, is stubborn and stopped. And there again, Samantha without Caeser… again I pointed and said – Samantha, please take Caesar, as he stayed behind. And she came back and took Caesar by the arm and brought into the room where I was. And not to run the risk of him getting back, and with all affection, she pushed his butt to the bottle, sat beside him, and watched he desperately suck the milk – due to much activity all day, Caesar is with a mega appetite. They understand everything we say and what we fail to speak. Just by looking they decipher what you mean and what you will do. Samantha was great in seeking the Caeser for me. Beautiful !!!

Merivan Miranda

Handler and photographer

Pictures of chimpanzees in Great Primates Sanctuary of Sorocaba – SP