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Jamie after intruder

Alarm Calling and Reassurance Seeking

September 5, 2015 by Diana

It’s not always possible or easy to catch brief moments that are great examples of chimpanzee behavior. Today, I was lucky to have the camera when this episode happened on the hill; and the summer visitors were lucky to have seen it in person!

In the video below, you’ll hear the distinctive sound of chimpanzee alarm calls and see a wonderful example of Missy reaching out in a reassurance-seeking gesture.

 

Here are the still photos that were in the video:

 

Jamie chasing off the intruder:

Jamie after intruder

 

Negra continuing to forage as Jamie takes care of the threat:

Negra foraging

 

 

This is one of my very favorite photos of Jamie, so I like to share it often:

web Jamie hopeful close up eyes bright gh _MG_1655

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Comments

  1. Jackie says

    September 5, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    The Boss Lady had things under control! It’s wonderful how the chimps comfort each other.

  2. Kathleen says

    September 5, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    WOW! That was so cool!! A few questions:
    Was Missy asking for reassurance or trying to give reassurance to Foxie and Annie with her out stretched hand/arm? I ask because I think of Annie and Foxie being more fearful than Missy.
    And where was Negra during all this? Was she in her structure or close to the greenhouse away from harms way?

    How interesting for the visitors to witness such activity (and sounds!.

    And I LOVE that photo of beautiful Boss Jamie too. There is smoothing in Jamie’s eyes that is captivating.

    • Diana says

      September 5, 2015 at 7:20 pm

      Missy was seeking reassurance with the outstretched arm. Reassurance seeking occurs between different chimps and goes both ways (high ranking to low ranking and vice versa), depending on the context. Negra was near the cabin, collecting food while keeping her eye on things at a bit of a distance. I love Jamie’s eyes in that photo too – full of hope.

      • Kathleen says

        September 5, 2015 at 8:36 pm

        Thanks for the reply! Very interesting indeed. Chimpanzees can react so quickly sometimes so I have to play your videos a few times to really catch the details.

        Sorry but one more question on reassurance. Why didn’t Missy reach out to Jamie for reassurance since Jamie was the closest to her? This is interesting to me and why I thought it was Missy ‘offering’ reassurance instead of ‘seeking’ it from Foxie and Annie. Or did Missy know that with Jamie close (and Jamie being the Boss) she would “take over”?

        • Diana says

          September 6, 2015 at 9:24 am

          I would say, in this instance, Missy’s bid for reassurance was looking for acknowledgment and potential back up from the others. Jamie was already right there, so Missy didn’t need this reassurance from Jamie. Foxie is usually among the group to investigate or go after threats, and Annie generally is there to support Missy is any situation, so it makes sense that Missy was checking in on them. In another context, for example if Missy was worried that she had offended Jamie, her reassurance seeking would be specifically directed toward Jamie, but in this case it was more of a desire for the others to provide a nod to Missy that they took her seriously and were there for her / the group if needed.

        • Kathleen says

          September 6, 2015 at 5:39 pm

          Gottcha. I find chimpanzee behavior so interesting, sorry to be a pest! This explanation makes it clear to me and I now have a better understanding as to what Missy was thinking. Thanks for your time!

        • Diana says

          September 7, 2015 at 9:56 am

          You’re not a pest, Kathleen! I love the great questions!

  3. Beverly says

    September 5, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    So happy they are FREE outside to do this type of bonding….

  4. Julie says

    September 5, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    Thank you for capturing this moment! So wonderful to see the bonds and the trust between them.

  5. Joseph G. says

    September 5, 2015 at 7:34 pm

    Spectacular blog. To witness this natural behavior and capture it as it is happening is truly a blessing. Thank you for sharing and thank you Jamie for being the boss and protector of the troop.

  6. Maggie says

    September 6, 2015 at 6:38 am

    Loved this! Best moment was Missy reaching out to make sure her family members were safe!!! Loved it!! Thank you!!

  7. Jill says

    September 6, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    I was lucky to be one of the visitors who got to see this in person yesterday. What we all could learn from these rare folks with whom we share 98% of the same DNA! Thank you CSNW!

    • Francoise says

      September 9, 2015 at 7:29 am

      Lucky you!

  8. Maggie says

    September 11, 2015 at 4:11 am

    I keep this clip on my FB timeline and watch it often! It just melts my heart every time! Thank you so very much for sharing a glimpse into their lives and explaining their social structure. It is intriguing. Much love and respect to the caregivers, and chimps of course!!!

    • Diana says

      September 16, 2015 at 9:54 am

      Thank you, Maggie!

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