Now that George has completed his quarantine period, become familiar with the greenhouses and playrooms, and explored the two-acre outdoor habitat known as The Bray, it’s time for him to make some new friends! If you are new to the sanctuary, here’s some information that may help explain what you will see in the above video:
- It can be difficult to integrate chimpanzees social groups because they are naturally hostile or fearful toward strangers and have the capacity for intense aggression
- That said, sanctuaries and zoos do regularly integrate chimpanzees into groups, though not without challenges
- We will be following a slow, methodical approach in which George repeatedly meets all of his potential group mates one-on-one over the course of months
- These initial introductions take place in the smaller Front Rooms so that we can more easily separate them should they get into a serious fight (some fighting is to be expected)
- Conducting them in the Front Rooms, with thick plastic sheets over the windows, also reduces the influence of the other chimps during these initial meetings
- Dominance displays are common during introductions, as each chimpanzee tries to demonstrate their strength and agility. These displays actually help chimpanzees avoid fighting by exchanging information about the likely outcome of a physical altercation.
- Intense play and grooming are also common as chimpanzee get to know each other.
- We chose to begin with Cy because he has shown himself to be a gentle and caring leader who seeks to protect the underdogs in his group.
- Though George’s meeting with Cy went well, he will face a lot of challenges over the coming months. Meeting other chimpanzees one-on-one is one thing; being fully integrated into an already established group is another. George will be vulnerable, so establishing good relationships with the others, and especially with Cy, will be critical.
George is really something. Even after living on concrete, he’s exploring his grassy two-acre outdoor enclosure almost without hesitation. And now, after living with only one female for most of his life and living alone since 2023, he’s hitting it off with the alpha male of what may someday be his new group. I know I say this about every chimp I’ve met, but I really admire him. Whether this integration is ultimately successful or not, George is most certainly going to take advantage of his second chance.
