Here are a few photos that I took at the end of Saturday’s conflict (I first made sure that no one was upset that I was there with a camera – on the other side of the caging, of course!). Fighting is a normal part of chimpanzee life. They are capable of inflicting a lot of damage on each other, but most fights are a lot of vocalizing and a lot of posturing. This is really the end of the fight with screaming, fear grimaces, and seeking reassurance. Sometimes those only peripherally involved in the conflict display towards the end. Missing from this photo is Negra (not surprisingly, she was inside away from the action), Burrito (not a main participant, so he let the girls finish it off) and Jamie (who was nearby). Things happen really quickly, so the descriptions below are my interpretation of what was happening, but I might not have fully understood each person’s role and interactions. After everything had pretty much ended, Jamie did get the last word in – a pant hoot and display that ended in swinging from the boat bumper and hitting the plexiglass covering the window.
Missy sitting down, Jody displaying (bipedal), Annie screaming while looking at Foxie. Annie is the lowest ranking and therefore seeks reassurance more than the other chimps. I think she is seeking reassurance from Foxie. Jody is showing her higher rank by displaying (this is probably a side of Jody you haven’t seen before!)
Both Annie and Foxie looking at Jody, seeking reassurance from her. Seeking reassurance can mean “I’m sorry” or just “I get that you’re higher ranking and I will submit to you.” It can be a way of de-escalating a conflict or a way of trying to get someone on your side in the middle of a conflict.
Foxie fear grimacing while looking at Jody
Annie (fear face) seeking reassurance from Missy after Foxie left
Diana — These photos and your descriptions are excellent!!
Great photos, Diana! I think disagreements are interesting to watch because you get a completely different viewpoint on the structure and politics of the group.
When any of the CE7 display is it different each time, as to the displaying techniques, or routine? I know you can tell a lot of what’s going on watching those involved in the disagreement but what about those not involved in the melee?
There’s a great video on Youtube called “Chimp fight at Taronga Zoo, Sydney” that shows chimpanzee dynamics in a fight. It’s interesting watching the chimp who begins the fight, checking over his shoulder and touching his back-up to be sure he is still behind him before he makes a move. I know that the CE7 had a disagreement and the Sydney video is a fight and more planned.
I think some “puffed up” chimpanzees ready to display are really quite beautiful and intimidating.
I am fascinated with chimp politics and find interactions like these intriguing. A great book on this is by Frans DeWahl and is called “Chimpanzee Politics” if anyone is interested in learning more about the social structure and hierarchy of chimps. It’s utterly fascinating!
Diana,
Thank you for the lesson in behaviors. I hope to see more of this type of blog when ever you get a chance. Theresa, thanks for the name of the book. I will be looking for it.
Wow, that is a side of Jody I’ve never noticed before.
Candace – the chimps’ displays do tend to be a bit “routine.” Jamie, for example, often starts her displays by pushing things (mainly the giant white plastic container when in the playroom). Sometimes Burrito runs sideways and claps his hands together during the beginning of a display. Most of the chimps (including Foxie now!), when outside, like to finish a display off by banging on the lexan covering the window. And, yes, a lot can be learned from those not involved. Like Negra, who just prefers to stay out of the politics of the group when possible.