Today, my boss found out that I was sharing JimJim’s drawings on youtube. He wasn’t happy about it. I don’t know why. He stopped short of telling me to take it down. I haven’t hidden any of this, but as of this moment, he doesn’t know about this page. I have to be careful. If I lose my job, I won’t get to see JimJim anymore. He needs me. Okay, fine. I need him too. I’ll try to keep you all posted.
–Sue Ellen
Today I tried playing music for JimJim to try and cheer him up. There are some studies with chimpanzee’s responding to classical music. I tried Bach and he began to jump up and down in a rage. He tore up every piece of paper he had. Shredded some of his drawings. I plugged my phone into the PA, and decided to try something else. I started at the beginning of my library, trying to find something he would like. 3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul was at the top of the alphabetical list. I hadn’t listened to that in 25 years? The moment it began he settled down. He sat quietly and began bobbing his head, tapping his fingers on his knees. Tom, my assistant thinks since JimJim loves rhymes, it was a perfect fit for him.
When I stopped the album, JimJim got agitated again, so I left it playing on loop when I went home tonight. I cannot wait to see him tomorrow. I’m starting to hate going home at night. I almost feel like I’m abandoning him every night.
–Sue Ellen
He’s been acting, for lack of a better word, depressed. Some of his drawings have taken a slightly dark turn. My boss says that I’m reading too much into things. But we’ve gotten very close. And he seems very sad. Today, I started to look into his past. I can’t tell from the transport paperwork which facility he came from. Which is very weird. When I ask him, his eyes search mine- like he’s pleading with me. Today, he was staring at me intently. I offered him some fruit. He shook his head. I tried to hand him some crayons and he tossed them onto the floor. He kept shaking his head. He is so much like a person. And unlike any of his peers. The closest I’ve seen here is Larry. He likes to draw too. But there is no coherence to his drawings. Just scribbles.
–Sue Ellen
JimJim came down with influenza. 🙁 Yes, chimpanzees can catch the flu too! He is so sweet. It was devastating to see him not feel good. I would give him some paper and crayons, which normally makes him so happy he dances and he would barely lift his head. But, he’s come out of it! He’s been feeling better and has started drawing again. We love him so much.
–Sue Ellen
JimJim has been drawing delightful images for a couple of weeks now. Today, he began to spell! How? I almost hesitate to share this as it’s basically impossible. We tried to see if he could write responses but he doesn’t seem to be able to do that. But he has been titling his drawings?! He can’t respond with the words, but he labels each drawing? At first I thought one of the other staff was playing a trick on me, but I observed him do it. He’s a perfect speller. He also seems to understand rhyming words. If anyone has ever seen anything like this before, please get in touch.
–Sue Ellen
The only time JimJim is calm without me, is if he’s in front of the television and also has art supplies. He sits in front of it for hours and makes the most delightful drawings… I’ve never seen anything like it. We’ve decided to share his work with the world.
–Sue Ellen
I’ve been a primatologist for over 20 years. I’ve never seen one like JimJim. Today, while I was carrying him around the center (he clings to me like I’m his momma), he kept trying to grab for a piece of paper every time I passed my desk. I gave him a piece and a crayon and he drew an apple!
— Sue Ellen
When we first met our new guest, we were blown away. He was adorable. And so smart. When we do the transport transfer we usually leave the transit door open and let them cautiously and carefully transition to the new environment. But JimJim flew out the moment the door opened and leapt into my arms. What a sweetie.
— Sue Ellen