Opal’s “Baby” and Unexpected Babysitters 

At Chimp Haven, enrichment comes in many forms: novel foods, puzzle feeders, and a rotating cast of toys designed to keep curious minds engaged. A favorite is a set of rubber keys made by Nylabone. They’re simple, durable, and, in Opal’s case, absolutely irreplaceable. 

Shortly after her arrival to Chimp Haven in 2016, we noticed Opal was developing a special attachment to a set of these keys her group had received as part of an enrichment activity. She started carrying them around, tucking them safely into her hip pocket and keeping them close throughout her day. Attachments like this are not uncommon in captive born chimpanzees, but as we soon learned, Opal’s attachment to her keys would go the distance. 

Ten years later, Opal’s set of keys is still treated like her “baby.” She lays on her back and lifts them with her feet, bouncing them up and down. When her group is asked to move outside so their bedrooms can be cleaned, Opal grabs her keys on her way out, just like we humans do when we leave our homes. 

When new chimps arrive at Chimp Haven (or as group dynamics change over the years), they are often introduced into large, compatible social groups, giving them the opportunity to develop the relationships and social bonds that are so important to their wellbeing. Shortly after her arrival at the sanctuary, Opal was introduced to Sassy’s group, a younger but higher-ranking female who very much lives up to her name.

After they met, on occasion, we would see Sassy with Opal’s keys. Opal would be following her closely, as if patiently waiting for Sassy to get tired of playing with the keys and drop them. We assumed Sassy was being Sassy…taking Opal’s “baby” because she could. 

But over time, their relationship has grown closer, and we’ve realized there may be an unexpected twist to this story. 

As a young chimpanzee grows, mom begins to allow them to explore their world, often under the trusted supervision of an “aunt” or older “cousin.” As Opal and Sassy grew closer, it appeared as though Sassy was trusted to become the babysitter or “auntie” of Opal’s keys.  

These days, it’s not uncommon to see Opal casually toss her keys to Sassy, as though to indicate it’s Sassy’s turn to babysit. Sassy will pick the keys up and start playing with them or throw them casually on her back to take them for a walk, just like the way a juvenile chimp would climb on an adult’s back to catch a ride.  

Eventually, Sassy hands the keys back to Opal, or Opal will come retrieve them, almost as if she’s picking up her child from daycare.

As the years have gone by, Opal’s “village” seems to have grown. Kim, Kevin, and Denise have all been allowed the honor of playing with her keys.  

But make no mistake – even though she’s expanding her circle of babysitters, you’ll always fine Opal sitting nearby, arms wrapped around her knees, watching carefully to make sure her keys don’t get into trouble.  

And when the babysitter is done playing, Opal is there, ready to pick up her baby. 

Mary Reininger