Have I told you how much I like Mave?
Today, as I was cleaning, I watched Honey B and Annie start to play. At this point in the process we are thrilled when previously unfamiliar chimps engage in play, but this made my heart stop. Annie is extremely insecure and she has a tendency to overreact at the slightest provocation, real or imagined. Long-time blog readers may remember some early difficulties between Annie and Foxie for just this reason. Honey B, on the other hand, is very confident – so confident, in fact, that she doesn’t bother to think about how others might perceive her actions. Add to the mix the fact that she shows her top teeth when playing and has already gone out of her way to assert her dominance over Annie already and you could see where this was going to end up. The game turned from a slow-motion chase to a raucous tickle fight, and before long Honey B had wrestled Annie into a corner.
We have a policy of not interacting with the chimps during critical periods of the introduction process because the chimps may see us as a source of support when in fact we are of no help at all on the other side of the caging if and when things go south. But as I watched Honey B hover over Annie, I involuntarily whispered, “OK, Honey B, that’s enough,” perhaps hoping that if I just put it out there into the universe it would manifest. And at that moment, Mave walked all the way across the room and wiggled her way between the two without engaging either. Mave plays everything close to the vest, and she made it appear as if she had somewhere to be and was just shuffling though. But I know that she saw the train wreck coming, too.
That kind of social intelligence is invaluable for this group right now. And when it comes wrapped in a such a big, fuzzy package, how can you not fall in love?
OK, enough about Mave (for now).
We saw a lot of progress today. There were fewer arguments and no injuries. And the arguments they did have seemed less related to interpersonal dominance struggles and more to do with overall anxiety and misinterpreted behavior. Just as importantly, we saw a lot of affiliative interactions. Chimps from different families reassured each other during moments of tension. Missy and Annie even spent some time grooming Willy B in the greenhouse.
The girls are both scared of and awed by him and they greet him with elaborate submissive gestures. He has largely avoided them but he is beginning to accept their submission more readily. He even went out of his way to groom Jody this afternoon (until Annie started screaming).
The group has been getting more comfortable at mealtime, which requires them to be in closer proximity with the potential for competition over food, though we definitely bring enough for everyone. Jody seemed pleased to get a spot next to the big man at lunch.
The big man, however, is a little more focused on food right now.
Overall, the new three seem to be incredibly comfortable while Missy, Annie, and to some extent Jody, continue to show signs of anxiety. And that’s understandable – they have been separated from many of the chimps that they have always relied on for support. Missy is always Jamie’s Number 2 and Annie always relies on Missy’s steadiness when things get tough. Now that we’ve tinkered with the group, the dynamics have changed.
But this was done to protect Honey B, Willy B, and Mave and so far it seems like a wise choice. That’s the thing about introductions, though – you can always make a plausible argument for doing it differently. Should chimps meet one-on-one or in groups? Should they first spend time with each other separated by mesh or does that only lead to frustration? Should introductions be done over the course of a week or over six months to a year? Should dominant chimps be integrated first, last, or in the middle? Should overly anxious chimps be medicated to help calm them? How severe does an injury need to be to stop the process? While there is some science to inform our decisions, there are simply too many facility designs and too many chimpanzee personalities in this world to be able to rely on a formula.
So we’ll continue to take this one day at a time and rely on Mave to lead the way.
Sita Y says
How are Jamie and co. dealing with living in a new enclosure ?
J.B. says
They’re enjoying the new digs, but obviously they are paying attention to the ruckus next door and are eager to get involved.
Wanda Trotta says
I wonder how Mave and Jamie are going to get on
Linda C says
It almost sounds like Mave will know how to work that, too…subtlety seems to be her “thing”
It’s Willy B flying under the radar ftm vs later, when Jamie comes back, that makes me wonder…
Linda C says
JB, wishing you continued good luck! I’d say “Mave deserves some extra sweet potato!”, but I know that wouldn’t necessarily turn out well, in the end…
I love Jo’s face with the chow bag! Glad she’s as happy as always with what she’s got!
Is The Boss enjoying pear season?
J.B. says
Yes, pear season is Jamie’s favorite time of year. And while I am normally the one admonishing volunteers for trying to serve too much food, right now I say feed them until they can’t move! Maybe they’ll all be too sleepy to fight π
Linda C says
It’s worth a try!:)
Janet Geisel says
So happy Maybe, Honey B and Willy B finally got to meet the new chimps. Like any new introduction at times doesn’t go as you like, but what I saw today they seem to tolerate each other. Since we didn’t see the problems with it, the fighting etc, but what I saw they seemed to be getting along for now. I just loved the when Honey B and Missy were giving a friendly hug. Hope it lasts. Will they be in the same area tonight for sleep? I dying to see Burrito reaction on the one and one. I have a feeling they will do good with each other eventually.
I always forget to ask did you give the new chimps their names or did they already have?
Your blogs make my day. As I’m getting ready to get in bed that’s when I love to read the blogs. They always put me in a happy mood which makes me sleep so good. Without the daily updates on the chimps it wouldn’t be so good. It’s amazing to me how the chimps day out the biggest smile on my face. Keep up with it because it makes me forget the bad day I was having.????????
J.B. says
The new chimps have had their names since they were in the lab. From what we’ve been able to piece together, the “B” in Willy B and Honey B indicates that they were born at LEMSIP (Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates) to mothers owned by the Buckshire Corporation (the lab where the Cle Elum Seven came from).
Laura says
Just a thought. Have you thought about dropping the B’s from Honey and Willie? a.) It’s from a time when they weren’t treated as the unique individuals they are nor were they treated well. b.) From previous posts titled Meet Annie Chimpanzee, Meet Burrito Chimpanzee, Meet Negra Chimpanzee, etc. I assumed, and loved, the CSNW way of naming the chimps in a way that valued individuals and respecting their natures.
Tobin says
I absolutely concur. I like that Missy. Negra, Burrito, et al have the surname of “Chimpanzee” (and I sometimes wonder what their middle names are or would be…since I’ve known a disproportionate number of people named “Todd” who are. also, disproportionately mischievous, I’ve long thought that Burrito Todd Chamipanzee isa fitting full name for the irrepressible Mr. B). As an exception, I like to think of Willy as “Willy B. Willoughby” (not sure if he concurs with my sentiment, alas).
J.B. says
I understand where you are coming from but we prefer to keep the names they have known for their entire lives. Burrito, for example, is a silly name given to him when he was in a laboratory – one that we would never have chosen for him – but I imagine it is very much a part of his identity with regard to his human relationships, and I imagine the same would be true for Honey B and Willy B.
Judy says
Mave is a god-send… What incredible skill and vibe she must have …. Thank you J.B. and everyone. Wonderful posts -exciting, nerve wracking times ahead. Each thing in it’s time.. all the myriad of other options could easily have it’s drawbacks… No regrets.. full steam, a bit at a time, ahead!!!
Marcia says
Thank you all so much for the updates, especially now when you have so much going on and so many important things to take care of. It’s wonderful to be let in on the process as it happens.
Mave does sound like a sweet and intelligent girl. What good fortune to have a peacemaker in the bunch.
I have to say that Willy B has the most amazing, piercing eyes. Must be quite something in person.
I thought I would mention that I’ve noticed that in most of the posts, when you click on a photo, aside from the first one at the top, they open to a larger, full screen view. Just wanted to let you know that yours seem to go smaller J.B., in case it’s not on purpose.
Sherry P says
Great post and pictures! Next time, could you please update a little on how Jamie, Foxie and Burrito are doing in the new digs, and if they have access to any outdoor areas? I imagine Jamie must be getting pretty frustrated if she can’t do her patrols.
Linda C says
I’ve been wondering about the patrols, too, unless they’re the ones getting out, while the introductory group stays in. JB says above they’re okay. I sent Foxie some new dolls last week, and Jamie’s getting (probably) whole pears, so there are some good points to all of this. π
Kathleen says
Can’t wait to hear more about your wise peacekeeper Mave. Your description of her had me giggling. I do worry about Annie, but, she has come so far I will never count her out. Can’t count all the times she has surprised us all!
The photo of joyful Jody at lunch is delightful, speaks volumes. Handsome Willy B looks as if he is preparing for Halloween with his vampire beet teeth and rosy beet blush around his face.
Tomorrow is a new day and Mave is on your side. Good luck (or is just good instincts!). ; )
Lisa says
Mave makes me think of the chimp Dana from Save the Chimps. Carole Noon said of Save the Chimps introductions βit became clear that Dana was good at this. No Dana was a genius…β Mave is the genius. Thank goodness you have Mave for these introductions.
Deanna says
Mave is the BEST!!! This is all looking very promising!!
Jo anna says
I’m on the edge of my seat!! The chimps ability to head off conflicts is nothing short of a superhero skill. Animal are so sensitive to subtle cues, amazing. Can Mave come to my work with me to supervise our meetings -lol
Linda C says
Okay, JB, so I’ll bite….did Annie’s screaming have to do with Willie B grooming Jody, or was it just random screaming?
Barbara says
What an amazing segment. In a way chimps are like humans when it comes to meeting new people.
We are all different as they are. We have voices and they have actions but you all must understand
how they are feeling and what they want. What a gift – those chimps are so fortunate now to have
found a home at CSNW. Thank you for what you do.