Introductions are in full swing again! Jen Feuerstein who has been consulting with us on introductions is back for the week. It was a very interesting and exciting day as we ended up doing three different introductions. This many introductions led to a busy day so I apologize for the short blog with a few photos. I do promise a video later this week of the introductions today!
Overall the introductions went well! First, we did a reintroduction of Honey B and Gordo that involved lots of playing. Next up was Willy B, Mave, Cy, and Lucky. There was some displaying at the beginning, but eventually everything calmed down and lots of loud chimp laughter could be heard from Willy B and Cy. Lucky and Mave played a little, but mostly groomed each other on the bench in the picture below. The last introduction for the day was Willy B, Honey B, Cy, and Lucky. This introduction had a minor conflict at the beginning, but was followed by some play between all, especially Honey B and Lucky. All of these chimpanzees did amazing today!
Lucky grooming Mave’s back during one of the introductions today.
Mave enjoying the Greenhouse this morning.
Negra wasn’t ready for breakfast just yet.
Thanks, Sam!
How long exactly does it take The Queen to get perfectly bundled and snuggly like that?!
No need to apologize Sam, this blog has everything — a photo of Mave looking like a koala bear and news that todays introductions brought about “lots of loud chimp laughter heard from Willy B and Cy”. And then the perfect closing with our beloved Queen in a massive blanket stacked nest with yet another boot!
Good luck moving forward with Jen Feuerstein’s help this week. We’ll be thinking of you!
How exciting to hear four-peole intros are going so well! I know the anxiety is high around these intros, but it must also be so heartwarming to see new friendships being made. Considering how many years they were deprived of these naturally occurring social interactions, it fills my heart to see them being given the opportunities to expand their friendships.
What a beautiful pic of Mave enjoying the greenhouse. She looks so peaceful and content.
I think Neggie and I were cut from the same cloth! Who needs breakfast when the bed is so warm and comfy!
Thank you all for the giving these incredible beings a home and life full of love, friendship, happiness, safety and security.
Negra is a HOOT all by herself….!!
I hope Honey B doesn’t rip someone’s testicles off like the last time you did this…
I would, on behalve of Honey B. say that we should let the past be the past, and focus in a positive way on today ( and maybe the future).!!
Let’s all help these introductions along with positivity and love. :kissing_heart:
I never know if I should respond to provocative comments or just delete them.
Ryan – The insinuation here, given the context of your previous comment, is that a chimpanzee involved in an altercation in which another chimpanzee is seriously injured should lose their right to meet other chimpanzees again or to live in a larger social group. If that’s the case then we have a real problem on our hands because no one would meet our criteria. Should Burrito be forced to live alone because he bit Foxie’s ear off? Should Jamie be forever isolated because she bit off Jody’s toe (possibly more than once)? These are just a couple of the incidents that were directly witnessed. Who bit off Negra’s ear in the lab? Missy’s finger? Negra’s toe? Cy’s finger? Burrito’s fingertip? Dora’s fingertip? Gordo’s toe? Surely it would be safer to keep them all separate to avoid the potential for such injuries. But would it be good for them?
Yesterday, I passed by Sam after she had completed Honey B and Gordo’s intro and asked for details since I was only watching on CCTV. She said she couldn’t believe how deep Gordo’s laugh was. The reason it took everyone by surprise is because we don’t ever hear Gordo laugh. But Honey B had him in a fit.
I certainly share your hope that no one loses their testicles in a conflict, whether your comment was a sincere expression of concern or not. There are certainly risks involved, of which we are all too well aware. We’re proceeding as carefully as we can with the most experienced help available and hoping for the best because we believe deeply that chimpanzees deserve to live in social groups.
I’m sorry if my reply came off as combative- I do sincerely worry about the chimps health, as I know you all do too. I guess I’m more conservative about things that carry risk but you’re right- they do gain more if the introductions go well than if they don’t happen at all. I guess I am more concerned because so many males are involved but again, I’m not an expert in the slightest.
Thank you, Ryan, for your heartfelt concern for the chimps’ safety, and to JB for your sensitive and thorough response. I have concerns about safety, too, and also am deeply committed to them having as much social connection as possible among themselves. Some power struggles and posturing are inevitable given the intensity of it all. I’m thankful the knowledgeable and caring staff are always paying attention to the challenges as well as the funny, tender and adorable moments.
I can’t get over how utterly adorable Mave is in that picture
She’s so floofy!
Thanks for sharing stories of the intros. I love the picture of Negra all cuddled up.