Before we get into the thick of it, let’s play a game!
This is an identification game: super hard expert level! All nine in Cy’s group were caught napping on the second floor of the Marmot Mountain Playroom! Even some of the staff couldn’t get the correct answer. I admit, I would probably be wrong too had I not been cleaning in the adjacent Lupine Playroom to see who is who at the time. I would be pretty astound if somebody can get them all identified correctly!
Good Luck!
There has been video circling around on the internet recently that has been gaining popularity. The video is of Mahale, a female chimpanzee from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas, being reunited with her new born son, Kucheza. It is such a sweet and endearing video. I personally have probably watched it maybe 100 times, and that’s the low estimate. I was taken aback when I read some of the comments, however.
Perusing through the comments, I was astonished that it seemed a lot of people were just now seeing a species outside of Homo sapiens can experience emotions such as compassion or motherly love. I know I’m in a unique position where I have studied chimpanzees for several years and worked with them for a few, so the concept of them having emotions is not a foreign concept to me. I am excited, however, that video has generated the discussion and awareness of animal emotions.
Let’s face it, it is a very emotional video. Mahale was giving birth when there were complications. The veterinarian staff decided and emergency c-section had to be performed to save Kucheza. After two days in intensive, Kucheza was finally given back to his mother. And the rest is history, as they say. I am really happy for Mahale and Kucheza, and applaud the care and veterinarian staff of the Sedgwick County Zoo. But where there is a bright side, there is a dark.
After a few more watches, hit it me thinking about this type of situation with our residents and how they were never afforded the opportunity to be reunited with their child and raise their children. What kind of mother would Jody really have been? Would Foxie still be famous if she had the opportunity to raise her children instead of bonding with a Troll doll? Would Negra have a less grumpy attitude if she was able to raise her children? Would Annie be as sweet and caring as she is with her friends? Would the first rounds of integrations a few years ago be different if Missy was able to recognize Honey B as the daughter she gave birth too? There are a lot of what ifs that can play out, but I find it best to just focus in the present time.
In any case, they are here, now, living the best life they possibly can with such a horrid pasts behind them. I think we are all just thankful and relieved Mahale and Kucheza are able to spend all the time they can together and not suffer the same fate.
I wasn’t able to get any good photos today since it is now snowing and the chimpanzees spent nearly the whole day in those out of reach spots. Luckily enough though, I had some I almost forgot about!
Have you guessed who is who in Marmot Mountain Playroom?
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Here is the answer!
I too was surprised by the comments on Mahale’s maternal instincts. It can be seen every day in most animals, look at your local park and see the way ducks will attack if they think their ducklings are being threatened. I cant understand why anyone would think human parents and animal parents would be different.
And, watching it also made me think of the the mothers at the sanctuary and what they had missed out on.
As for the photo quiz, I got a 1 out of 9!! Got Mave right, but thought that would be Dora next to her – wrong, no idea on any of the others!
Thanks, Chad.
Mahale’s reaction wasn’t a surprise to me, just sooo endearing.
If anyone wants to read up on it, read “Mama’s Last Hug”.
I only got Willy, Terry, and Li’l Dora. Surprising to see that Willy has separated from the girls, but glad that the girls now trust the other 6 enough to sleep near them.
Yes to reading “Mama’s Last Hug”. A great book. When I first read “Chimpanzee Politics” by Frans de Waal, I fell in love with Mama and her daughter Monique. Mama, Jane Goodall’s Flo, Sheri Speede’s Dorthy, and CSNW’s Negra are all chimpanzee women who are deeply ingrained in my heart. All experienced emotions, beautiful and painful, same as humans. From elephants to whales to primates, emotions exist in animals.
little sweetee pie…………..be fun to watch him grow……welcome aboard Kucheza…!!!!!!!:heart_eyes:
You only have to look at that wonderful photo of Negra, to see the emotions of her whole life in her eyes. And who could fail to recognize Burrito through those deep pools of emotion. I will be eternally grateful for the care that all past medical or entertainment chimps now enjoy…..and the freedom to express the feelings that were denied to them . Too late for the maternal tragedies, but you have only to see the ‘sleepy’ photo to appreciate what frienship and safety means to them.
Chad, if I tried all day I still wouldn’t be able to guess who was who. My one guess was Lucky on the pink blanket on the right tree platform and that was wrong! And while I had no physical point of identification, I was going on the fact that Lucky loves to rest on the platforms and the shape on the pink blanket appeared to look more like Lucky than the shape on the left platform. So much my theory!
It is intersting how similar they look when curled up snoozing. Also funny to see how few have blankets let alone big, stacked nests. Very different from Negra and her group, right?! Thanks for the challenge!
Thanks for tossing in images where I can easily ID who is who. That photo of Honey B is marvelous. Very artistic — Mondigliani’ish!
here is a video I enjoy where a young chimp (at a zoo) got sick and had to be removed from her mom for several days of treatment. But the reunion was adorable. I can’t find the English version but you won’t need words. Watch to the end.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=THoX_-ltZAQ
Oh, and the only napping chimp I guessed was Cy. Only because I’ve seen him reading over there in that corner. other than that, NO CLUE! LOL. I mean, come on!! No way.
At first I thought Rayne was napping on a tight rope or something. Until I realized she was on one of those little satellite platforms. That view is very deceiving.
Terry is a crack up! And Honey B looks like she’s thinking up some mischief.:smirk:
Wow, i’m surprised Mave wasn’t near Dora. hmmm
Thank you, for everything.
Thank you, Chad. Love how Rayne drapes a blanket on the platform taking it to whole another level of nesting. But we know they are all special.
Chad,
Thank you for the insightful, caring and thoughtful post. How often I think we humans could learn so much from the animals if we would allow our selves to really stop and look. The work you all do i. providing the best for the chimps and bovines is tremendous-you are appreciated by us and more importantly them!
I got a big goose egg for guessing, but I love to see their nests and how they sleep. I have also seen the video of Mahale being reunited with her precious baby and I cried like a baby seeing her what I thought to have been a little nervous perhaps or uncertain until he reached for her, that maybe he was not okay, but when she saw his little arm reach out it was so special, I was as excited as she was! As for some of the humans ignorant to the wonder of animals, it never ceases to amaze me how they are blind to how important family is to them and how deeply emotional and intelligent they are. Thank you for another great peek through the sanctuary window into the lives of these gorgeous souls ?