The watch did not last too much

SOROCABA SANCTUARY

There are some objects that the chimpanzees worship: mobiles, watches, glasses, pens, keys etc. I have already lost some watches when I am in contact with them. They started to push the buttons and mix them up totally or I just lose them by an accident.

At this time I used the watch I had brought from my last trip to Florida last Sunday only one day. Now it belongs to Luke. Monday, August 3^rd, I entered Luke’s enclosure, who was complaining because of my almost 10 day absence. He quickly realized I was wearing a new watch and saw it had a wristband with textiles, which made it easier to be opened.

Pretending he was doing grooming in me, he played with the watch. In a second he opened and took it. When I realized it was too late. He ran away, yelling of joy and even teasing me.

I pretended to be crying, and to be sad and angry etc, but it did not matter to him. As long as I did not have anything interesting to change with him, I offered my jacket – which is a thing that they like a lot. But the watch was a very important trophy. I got near him and was almost able to take the watch from his hands, but he was very alert. He was pushing the bottoms, turned the clock alarm on, put it on his hear and did everything he could with the watch, but he did not give it back. Then I gave up and left Luke happy with his trophy. In the end, Luke’s joy, who had a miserable life when he was a baby, worth to lose several watches.

Dr. Pedro A Ynterian
President, GAP Project International