 |
In
this series, we share our gorilla research and care activities
with you through the following features:
1)
Caregiver Corner (what
it's like to interact and communicate with gorillas Koko, Ndume
and Michael)
2) Research Revelations
(what we're learning through interspecies communication and
what it means for humanity)
prepared
by our staff under the supervision of Dr. Penny Patterson, Director
of Research. (Journal PhotoBlog
Archive) |
|
| Caregiver Corner: "Gorilla Cleaning Crew" by K. Kamrani |
October 18, 2005 |
|
 |
Dr.
Francine "Penny" Patterson has a Ph.D. in Developmental
Psychology from Stanford. She is President and Research
Director of The Gorilla Foundation, and a Member
of the Board of ApeNet - a consortium of foundations
supporting the welfare of great apes through interspecies
communication. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of
"Gorilla, the journal of The Gorilla Foundation/Koko.org."
"Penny's Journal" provides insight into her facinating
relationship with Koko and a way to share with us
her experiences as Koko lives, learns and communicates
"The
differences between humans and gorillas are greatly
overshadowed by what we have in common — and by
communicating with them, we can learn as much about
our own true nature as theirs." Penny Patterson |
|
|
|
The following encounter between gorilla Ndume and gorilla caregiver / IT specialist
Kambiz Kamrani took place on Sep. 21, 2005 . . .
Having just started a friendship, Ndume and I are learning many things about each
other. I have recently engaged in numerous activities with him, such as playing
chase and trading items with him, that have shown me the depth of his character
in a new light. Ndume showed a new and remarkable side of himself, the caring
clean side.
After Ndume eats his lunch, one of the caregivers, Lucas Slavik, lets Ndume out
of his room and into the yard. I meet him outside expecting to play with him.
Ndume props himself up to my eye level and sits down. He picks up a piece of cloth
napkin that was used to hide some browse earlier in the morning.
I sit at the observation table:
| |
Kambiz:: |
Hey
buddy, can I sit here? |
| |
Ndume: |
Kiss#.
|
| |
|
|
| |
Kambiz:: |
Watcha
got there, a napkin? |
Ndume picks the napkin up and inspects it very close to his face. He then folds
it in his hand and looks elsewhere. I expected that he was just curious and wanted
me to initiate some play.
| |
Kambiz: |
So
are we gonna play chase? Should I start running? |
Ndume just looks at me for a minute or two. He then takes the napkin and begins
to scrub items around him. He is very intent and focused on his job.
| |
Kambiz:: |
Wow buddy,
you sure are cleaning! Thanks for doing it. I really appreciate it. |
| |
Ndume: |
Kiss#,
Kiss#. |
| |
|
|
| |
Kambiz:: |
You’re
a very thoughtful guy, did you know that? |
Ndume scrubs away. Then discards the napkin.
| |
Ndume: |
Clap# |
| |
Kambiz:: |
What’s that buddy,
no more cleaning? Time for chase? |
| |
Ndume: |
Kiss#.
|
| |
Kambiz:: |
All right, you run
first. |
Ndume runs to the other side of the mesh and we run around for almost half an
hour. He claps some more, spins, and gallops. He slows down and I sit next to
him.
| |
Kambiz:: |
INdume,
I wanted to thank you for cleaning. You’re so sweet sometimes. |
| |
Ndume: |
Kiss#. |
 |
Kambiz Kamrani
(Gorilla Caregiver, Night Monitor and IT Specialist)
received his Bachelor’s degree
in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) where
he was guided to develop and refine his interests in understanding the relationships
between communication, culture, evolution, and biology. Kambiz also has
a great proclivity for computers and has developed strong technical expertise
in web development and design, and sees great potential in the communicative
capabilities of the internet to foster and publicize interspecies communication.
Kambiz spends his spare time exploring natural environments and traveling
to experience different cultures. He enjoys keeping up to date with advances
in information technology and actively continues his education in anthropology,
biology, and related studies. He strongly believes in the mission of the
Gorilla Foundation to educate the public about the benefits of understanding,
respecting, and treating our world and its other inhabitants. |
|
Please
email us at research_feedback@koko.org
if you have any questions, or would like to share an observation
or insight about the preceding interspecies conversations.
Your feedback can inform our research and is a vital part
of our mission.
Thank you,
Dr. Francine Penny Patterson
<< Previous Entry
|
Next Entry >>
Journal Archive (Photo Blog)
Current
eNewsLetter
with The
Gorilla Foundation |
The Foundation
- How to Help - Maui
Preserve - Koko's World - Kids
Club - KokoMart
KokoMail - About
Gorillas - News - Faq
- Sponsors - Home
- Search - Site
Map
Contact Us
© Copyright
2007 The Gorilla Foundation / Koko.Org. All
rights reserved.
|
|
