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Ellensburg,
Washington
As
you observe a lively young chimpanzee in her enclosure, taking
data on her location and activities every 15 seconds, you
cannot escape thinking how similar she is to you. In the wild,
a chimpanzee’s prodigious intelligence serves her well
in complex social interactions, problem-solving, foraging,
and survival. But when she is confined to a zoo or other captive
setting, that same intelligence is likely to leave her bored,
unhealthy, often tragically self-destructive. With 2,000 chimps
in captivity in the U.S. alone, you are concerned about whether
their captive environment is as stimulating and appropriate
as this one. Your observations here will help improve the
lives of captive primates across the country.
You’re
working with Dr. Roger and Deborah Fouts of Central Washington
University, leaders in the field of chimpanzee communication,
which they have pursued since the 1960s. In Next of Kin: What
Chimpanzees Have Taught Me About Who We Are, (written with
Stephen Tukel Mills, 1997, William Morrow), Roger Fouts recounts
touching details of this work. Co-directors of the university’s
Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute and the nonprofit
organization Friends of Washoe, the Foutses are studying this
group of captive chimps at a new, indoor-outdoor, 930-square-meter
facility here. With your help, they plan to find out exactly
what chimps need to keep them healthy and happy.
You’ll
also enjoy working with some of the world’s most famous
chimpanzees. Washoe, the 33-year-old chimp who first learned
American Sign Language (ASL), provided the original evidence
that non-human animals could acquire and use language, and
was the subject of television documentaries and the catalyst
for further research. All of the Institute’s chimps have
learned ASL, including Washoe’s adopted son Loulis, who
acquired signs from her.
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2 0 0 0 . T E A M S
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II: Fev 27- Mar 11 • III: Apr 4-22 • IV: Jun 25-Jul
8 • V: Jul 16-29 • VI: Aug 20-Sep 2 • VII:
Sep 10-23 • Max team size: 12
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M E M B E R S ' . S H A R E . O F . C O S T S
from US $1,595 • £995 • Aus$2,450 • Yen
¥187,200
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R E N D E Z V O U S . S I T E
Ellensburg, Washington
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V O L U N T E E R T A S K S
During
the first week, you’ll learn how to care for the chimpanzees
and their environment and how to observe them during 15-minute
sessions: Don’t talk about the chimps (they understand
every word) or grin (indicating arousal or fear) in their
presence. You’ll come to know each chimp on a first-name
basis, their likes and dislikes, their moods and faces. The
chimps have become much more active and healthy since they
were introduced to their new home with its plants, cave, treat
mound, tire swings, terraces, draped fire hoses, and artificial
trees. Your observations are critical to determining how the
chimps use objects and finding the best mix of features for
a healthy, happy chimpanzee colony. This is an unprecedented
opportunity to directly affect animal welfare, and the unique
chance to help care for our "next of kin" is its
own reward. Your compassion for animals and attention to minute
details are the chimps’ greatest asset.
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F I E L D . C O N D I T I O N S
Ellensburg is a sleepy college town just east of the Cascade
Mountains. You will stay a ten-minute walk across campus from
your estimable subjects in fully-equipped double or single
dorm rooms at Central Washington University. Your meals will
be at either of two student dining halls, for which you will
receive a meal card, with a variety of choices.
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programs