We caregivers have been incredibly busy lately, but we make a point to read comments on our social media content and we attempt to respond appropriately whenever possible. Lately, most of our followers, donors and volunteers have been overwhelmingly focused on one topic in particular: social integrations. More specifically, everybody wants to know about our plan for introducing the three new individuals (Honey B., Willy B. and Mave) to our existing social group of seven resident chimpanzees. Diana described the situation eloquently in her recent post, which is a “must-read” for anyone trying to follow the action here at the sanctuary.
As stated previously by the other staff, the incoming trio are about to clear their four-week quarantine period and we are formulating a loose plan to begin the introduction process. All members of our care staff are experienced in chimpanzee care and management, but we have never conducted a merger of two social groups in this unique facility or with these individual chimpanzees. Therefore, it is impossible to write a detailed, step-by-step description of our introduction plan. We are committed to remaining flexible and open-minded from start to finish, and will make whatever changes are needed to ensure the safety and well-being of all chimpanzees throughout the process. As with the outdoor tunnel, The chimpanzees will let us know how they feel about each step and we will adjust our plan to reflect their choices. At this point in time, all we can say is that we have scoured the written literature on chimpanzee social integrations, consulted with experienced personnel from other facilities and organizations, and aggregated our own observations in order to make the best decisions for these individual chimps.
The existing scientific reports of first meetings between unfamiliar chimpanzees have somewhat helped us to set our expectations. Chimpanzee social behavior is by far the most thoroughly studied of all wild primates, and there are substantial bodies of work on their behavior in captivity as well. What we see around the sanctuary is often paralleled by what scientists have seen at other locations and in other populations of chimpanzees. To illustrate this point, let’s consider Burrito’s behavioral changes since the new three entered his world, both audibly and visibly.
In general, Burrito has been more alert and agitated than usual. He has conducted more forays onto Young’s Hill to monitor the section of fence closest to the new expansion, spends more time gazing towards the neighboring enclosures, and creates more noise by drumming and throwing objects around the Chimp House. He has been uncharacteristically late for some meals and even skipped a couple courses entirely. During these absences, we hear him getting rowdy by the Playroom windows, usually within sight of the three new arrivals who can watch the spectacle from the safety of their outdoor tunnel. Once his displays and hoots reach their inevitable crescendo, he leaps towards the window and stares intently, apparently waiting for a response. When he does show up tardy for meals, he has been swaggering up to the Greenhouse deck and then charging through the females, scattering them and causing a ruckus. This is an edgier version of Bubba than we have seen previously.
This change in Burrito’s behavior is evidence of what some primatologists have called the neighbor effect. In their 1996 study of chimpanzees housed at a large research facility, Dr. Kate Baker and Dr. Filippo Aureli observed captive chimpanzees to determine whether noise from neighboring groups had an observable effect on each individual’s behavior. To summarize their findings, chimpanzees tended to perform more pant-hoots, displays and outright physical aggression when neighboring groups did the same. Aggression outside of social groups was related to aggression within groups. For captive chimpanzees, rowdiness and instability are apparently contagious. Right now, we are witnessing a similar pattern of behavior here at CSNW.
Other aspects of captive chimpanzee behavior have been studied at facilities around the globe. For example, recent studies have investigated how chimpanzee behavior varies in relation to temporary space restrictions, permanent relocations, different enclosure types, and atypical rearing histories. One study even asked whether chimps find music enriching (results: “meh”). Most of these papers were produced from data collected at no more than a few facilities, and many publications are mere case studies of single groups of chimpanzees. Each facility is unique and groups of chimpanzees can vary greatly depending on social structure, cultural variation, and context. Thus, even though there is a good deal of information out there, it requires a good deal of sifting and speculating to apply it to our chimpanzee residents here at the sanctuary.
In a couple of situations, we have invited graduate students to conduct noninvasive applied welfare studies at the sanctuary. We are definitely not a research facility and do not profit from scientific investigations, but collecting systematic observations can generate information that can then be used to optimize our care of the chimpanzee residents. Central Washington University (CWU) is located in nearby Ellensburg and contains the nation’s only Graduate Program in Primate Behavior, so a handful of committed CWU students have helped us to answer key questions about the Cle Elum Seven. Most recently, a collaborative team led by Jake Funkhauser published his analysis of the sanctuary’s chimpanzee social network and dominance hierarchy. This report, although only based on a summer’s worth of observations, produced insight that has proved valuable as we prepare to add three new individuals into the mix.
Additionally, we recently hosted Chimp Haven’s Director of Behavior and Research, Amy Fultz, who observed the chimps and inspected the facility. Amy has coordinated countless introductions between unfamiliar chimpanzees and numerous mergers of large social groups, thereby developing an immense body of knowledge and wisdom that she was generous enough to share with our team. Even as she gave us some useful tips and relayed some incredible stories, she also emphasized a few points that we already knew: that each chimpanzee is a unique individual, that each facility offers its own advantages and challenges, and that any introduction between two groups can take a surprising turn at any moment. It’s best to have a plan, of course, but the plan will inevitably change as we acquire new information about the chimps and their preferences.
Even with a wealth of available data and input from various sources, we know that this is unfamiliar territory for these ten chimpanzees and is a big step for our team as well. Ultimately, we will put these two groups together in our own way, the CSNW Way, which will be whichever way works best at that moment in time. For now, our staff is continuing to observe how the chimpanzees react to each small change in their environment and we will continue to share those moments with you whenever possible. We certainly appreciate all of your interest and support as we help the new three to acclimate to their new home, new lifestyle, and new neighbors, who will hopefully become their seven new friends. Shortly, we hope to have some updates for you all!
Amy M says
Anthony – Thank you so much for a fascinating and rich post. Looking forward to the adventures and learning to come!
David Rucker says
Franz de Waal in his book, “Chimpansee Politics” from a few years back may offer some insights. Best wishes. Take your time. A former docent at CHCI
Chris Hines says
This is fantastic! I so appreciate this information. And I also appreciate the challenges you all have! One thing I keep thinking is how great this is for the chimps. Their lives forever changed. Navigating new relationships and the ups and downs that go with that. This enrichment will last the rest of their lives. Thank you for all you do. You will always have my support.
PatC says
What an interesting post. Thank you for bringing us “fans” along for the ride. The suspense – from this side of the blog – is exciting and fun.
CeeCee says
Thank you Anthony,
You are an awesome addition to the team.
Its becoming very clear to me that whatever CSN staff do as far as introductions
it will be very well thought out, by the best people for the Job.
Really only Jamie would know better….Right ? 🙂
Karen says
Great post. Thanks for all the information.
Sandie Allaway says
What a wonderful in-depth informative blog about chimpanzee behavior and how delicate and flexible these introductions need to be. I’m waiting with baited breath to share this new experience with everyone else. Thank you so much Anthony.
Kathleen says
Whatever you do will be done in the best interest of each individual because that’s what you do and why we love you. (Just hope poor Burrito knows this too!)
Louise Manson says
Thanks so much for taking the time to give us all your report of the ongoing saga of introducing one community to another. This is very similar to our Convent receiving what we call “Companions” who stay with us for a year or possibly 2. Curiosity being the most exclusive and of course the posturing of some Sisters to establish their pecking order within the established community. Funny, but no one would ever admit to this behavior.
Thanks again, Sr. Louise
Tobin says
Ah, but there is a difference between your community and Burrito’s: I trust that none of the nuns deem it necessary to throw plastic barrels around to display a “display”. (Well, maybe not too often, anyway…). Just kidding.
Chelle Clifford says
Thanks Anthony for adding the Funkhouser article. It was really interesting to read. I love learning about how the group interact with each other and it’ll be interesting to see how the new group fit in.
I love following the chimps and their lives. Thank you a for sharing them with us.
HeidiMignogna says
Thank you for such an informative post. It will be interesting to see how Jamie and Negra will react. Jamie because she is the highest-ranking chimp and Negra because she seems very shy and reserved.
Linda says
I feel like Annie also has trouble with change…
Debra Marrin says
Great information on this thank you. I applaud your system and sharing of information. I love what you have included as part of your process. *Every animal is an individual, let the animals tell you when they are ready for the next step, flexibility, and reaching out to other resources. With all of that in mind not following a recipe but setting your own path. Good luck and I look forward to
more updates.
sharyn rose says
thank you thank you thank you
we can never really un-do what we have done but luckily the chimpanzee has so much to teach us about forgiveness, and now as much as can be, things have been righted. And now too for these new few that are coming! so glad that there is so much respect and love for these persons in your care.
Tobin says
The last three weeks or so might be as tasty as when one of the chimpanzee’s solves a food puzzle, but the new neighbors on both sides of the Howdy Door have been a steady source of “enrichment.”
Elaine Reininger says
Wow, you sure have a challenge ahead of you…a little frightening as well as exciting. I wish you all the best of luck, hoping all goes well and that no one looses an ear or a toe during the ruckus.
Linda says
Oh, y gosh, Elaine, I wish going to say “perish the thought!”…..but..like you, I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
Mary says
Great post. Thanks for all the thoughts. I’m so happy to see three more beautiful chimpanzees in the care of CSN. A truly amazing place with wonderful caregivers and chimpanzees.
Susan Armstrong says
Above all… these things cannot be hurried. You’ll proceed when (and if) you think best, and no sooner. ?