We’ve spent a lot of time on this blog discussing group formation, or introductions, so you probably know by now that they are at once the greatest and most terrifying activity you can take part in as a chimpanzee caregiver. While I wouldn’t put them in the same category, reintroductions can be a bit of a roller coaster, too. Reintros occur any time a group is reformed after a period apart. This is commonly due to medical isolation of one or more members but it can also occur if a group is moved to a new facility or if an institution practices fission-fusion management, wherein individuals are routinely moved between groups (I dislike the use of the term fission-fusion in the captive context but I don’t get to make the rules). Most reintroductions are fairly easy, as the group members have already worked out their relationships. But if a group is separated immediately after a bad conflict for the purpose of treating injuries, they may need to be reintroduced more carefully—even from scratch—lest they immediately pick up where they left off. Whether or not the participants had a chance to reconcile in those cases can make a big difference.
Regardless of the reason for separation, some chimps do not reintro quietly. Males, in particular, seem to fear that everyone forgot who they were while they were gone. REMEMBER ME? THAT’S RIGHT, I AM STILL LARGE AND MAKE LOUD SOUNDS! DO NOT MISTAKE MY ABSENCE FOR WEAKNESS, FOR I HAVE REMAINED STRONG THIS WHOLE TIME AND HAVE COME TO RECLAIM MY POSITION! I pick on the males, of course, but only because their behavior is so familiar. In reality, chimps do sometimes have good reason to fear that the social order changed while they were away and they are right to test the waters when they return.
Willy B has been separated from his group a number of times over the last two years so we felt confident letting him meet the whole group at once, but given his, uh, peculiarities, you can’t help but get a few butterflies as you watch him reestablish himself.
It’s nice to see how the group tolerates him, and even comforts him when he needs it, despite his frequent awkward jerkiness. Willy B remains a special project for CSNW, one that occupies a lot of our collective brain power and dominates the discussion at most every staff meeting. What to do about Willy B? While we’re still searching for the right answer, I’m glad that his group mates are able to extend a little sympathy now and again to a guy that could really use some.
It breaks my heart to see Willy too anxious to go all the way up the hill. You got this, big guy!
What a great post. Thank you J.B. for explaining all the details. This is why Willy B is my Pal. My heart truly goes out to him. Sweet Lucky not only forgives his behavior, she reconnects, reconciles, and then offers her support on the Bray when he needed it. What moment for Willy B if he had braved the unknown parts of the upper Bray and joined Cy. Sigh.
Question….I never thought about reintroducing a chimp back into their group. When reintroducing and observing, at what point do you feel comfortable knowing the group will accept the chimp being brought back into the group? Does it take hours or a day or two? Is this the same process for the Seven (now six) as well or, as a group, are they more familiar (or is the word comfortable?) with each other?
Doesn’t it seem like the 7 have always welcomed one back, excited to groom and hang out again?
The importance of the reintro process probably depends on how well-established the group was prior to being split. If there’s no question as to where you fit in when you return, there’s no need to go about all that costly dominance business. The 7 were unique in that there was only one male and while females have their own hierarchies, they go about things differently than the males (exception: Jamie). So that could explain some of the differences we see. If you think of uncertainty and/or insecurity as the driver of all that behavior, then you can find no one as uncertain or insecure as Willy B. As for when we feel comfortable: We are basically waiting to observe each dyadic interaction. Has he approached Terry yet? And Terry submitted? OK, then that’s all set. How about Cy? Does Gordo have any new alliances to support him when he meets Willy B? From what we observed, it’s the same old order, which is good in a way (nothing new to worry about) and bad (still somewhat chaotic). If the whole group rallied around Gordo, for example, that might have forced Willy to submit and established a new order.
So since Jamie is the (rather insecure) leader on the other side, have you witnessed any dominance aigns from her when someone returns? (stealing someone’s food just to remind them she can?)
I live Cy’s simple foot stomp when he puts an end to things
I don’t recall seeing Jamie do that. It’s possible that Burrito did during his testicular era but I honestly don’t rmember. Interestingly, Jamie tends to pick on low ranking chimps and hasn’t always challenged those nearer her rank.
Thanks, JB. Looking at today’s, I see mention of Jamie regularly stealing breakfast fruit from Tiny and Annie. Have you ever tried stationing with her, as you did with Willy B?
Linda – Yes, we’ve been stationing Jamie since last June and she’s shown some progress. But sometimes the need to stick it to Foxie or Annie is greater than the reward from any amount of fruit or juice.
Thank you, J.B. I had no idea that so much posturing (if that’s the right word) was involved with rejoining the group. I assumed everyone was always happy to see the chimp that had been secluded due to illness rejoin the family. But of course, politics come in to play, especially with the males as you pointed out. There’s always so much going on all at once. And Sitting on the blog sidelines, so much to learn about Cy’s group!
Bless Lucky’s sweet nature!
Forgive me for this crazy idea, but I’ve wondered if Gordito would be better on the other side, and then Burrito would have another dude and someone closer to his age to hang with. I know it won’t happen, but I think about it.
All ideas are on the table! But Gordo would face similar challenges in a new group. And unfortunately, it’s Terry that Willy B focuses his frustration on, and Gordo only gets sucked in because Terry is his only good friend. It’s a very complicated web.
Good ol’ Terry! A bit of a weirdo, but a friend to all
Very interesting scenes indeed! Thank you for the explanation. I can completely relate to Willy B.
“Hug it out.” Isnt that what Frans deWaal said happens. I’ve seen it almost instantly after an altercation. But this was several days Willy B was away. i’m glad it all went well, but i held my breath as i watched all that hair standing on end. Maybe he’ll build up his courage and get himself fully out on the Bray one day instead of log sitting.
Lucky nearly brought a tear to my eye, what a sweet chimp. Not only forgave the macho display towards her but saw he needed company and went to him..
Hope he can settle in soon with the rest.
It looks like they’re trusting the ladder in the chute more these days, and climbing up and down via the mesh less