posted on April 15, 2014 by Jaycie Cash

A Lure for All Species

article-chimps-0410Some of our cousins broke out of the big house last week.

They were lured back into captivity within a matter of hours by the one form of temptation that has proven effective for every species throughout recorded history: eats.

Discount the power of yummies at your peril.

In this particular situation a group of chimpanzees escaped their habitat at the Kansas City, MO, zoo. An article at msn.com quoted Julie Neemeyer, spokesperson for the zoo, as saying one of the chimps managed to break a tree limb that it then used as a ladder to climb on top of the outdoor enclosure wall. That chimp then “enticed” six others to join it. The chimps never left zoo grounds or the immediate exhibit area, the statement said.

The chimps were eventually “lured back in to their holding building with various food treats.”

Not sure what they used for the chimps, but I’ve gotta admit if chocolate—or a medium rare steak—were involved, “food treats” would have worked for me as well.

Even if I knew I was being led to a “locked down” area.

Heck, some days the idea of being secured inside an enclosure would be downright enticing in its own right, but only if I was assured the walls would keep a select groups of folks out AND I could enjoy a few hours of solitary confinement (with beloved books on hand) for a finite period of time.

Wouldn’t you love to know how the chimp convinced his or her pals to scamper to parts unknown?

Did it involve a simple “Follow me” wave, as the chimp scrambled up the tree limb? Did the lead chimp have to reach the top of the wall first, and dance around while chanting the classic “Nah Na Nah Na Nah Nah, I can see what’s on the other side of the wall and you can’t?”

Or did the lead chimp use the age-old approach of politicians and promise a bunch of bananas and their own private vine to swing from for all who made it out of their habitat?

WHAT WOULD ENTICE YOU TO TAKE SOME TYPE OF ACTION OR TO LEAVE THE FAMILIAR BEHIND? WOULD IT BE FOOD, AS WITH THE CHIMPS AND ME? OR WOULD IT HAVE TO BE SOMETHING ELSE? A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

jayciecash.com

One thought on “A Lure for All Species”

  1. Connie Saunders says:

    Since I love and enjoy the life I have, it would probably be a threat to someone I love.

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