It seems like the tension ebbs and flows with the chimps. Some weeks are calm with little altercations, while other weeks the conflict (whether big or small) seems to be on going, for even weeks at a time. Currently, the last few weeks on both sides have had lots of tensions. It makes us appreciate the quieter, more gentle moments with the chimps. Yesterday, after Terry’s group got some screaming out of the way, it seemed like everyone wanted to groom with each other or a caregiver. Mave was being particularly sweet with me. Honey B decided to join Mave and I and make it a grooming party! Eventually, I disengaged and let them groom with each other. Honey B was making me chuckle because she was being so bossy while grooming Mave, but Mave enjoyed every second of it! I also captured a video of Dora and Mave grooming this morning that was rather sweet.
Please don’t worry- though there is tension, there are still so many moments like these throughout the day.
Bonus photos of Gordo!
If that’s what Honey B’s eye looks like now, I can only imagine how bad it was before.
Good Lord:fearful:……I would be afraid of an eye infection with all her rubbing with those filthy fingers…..I can’t imagine how they survive in the wild
I notice her hand goes to that area….:fingers_crossed: that it heals and she leaves it alone!
i have 2 burning questions Ive been meaning to ask.. 1- Do the chimps have a set bedtime or do tbey sleep whever the mood hits
2- Cy’s bday is coming up, 3/12-We are pals! May I send him something “chimp approved” for his birthday?
Thank you for all the blogposts. I look forward each night to seeing what the chimps were up to that day. Aprile
Maybe the chimps have been watching the 5pm news which I frequently stand up and scream at. i remember a talk by Franz deWaal where he said the difference between chimps and politicians is the act of reconciliation. Maybe the humans should try it some time with grooming.
My thoughts exactly…
We almost always see Honey B on the receiving end of grooming; nice to see her reciprocating
Honey B and Mave must be happy to groom together after all that time apart. Thanks for capturing these sweet moments, Kelsi. Hope things settle down for a spell! Gordo sure looks pretty chill. Perhaps it’s a sign of things to come.
I love watching them have a good grooming session. I feel like Nurse Honey B was on the look out for anything she could pick at. Better someone else’s scabs than her eye!
As for Dora, she was so in the zone! She didn’t even flinch when someone (Willy B, I assume) started a little display. Those lip smacks were great!