We often talk about Annie and Missy’s friendship, Foxie’s ability to get her friend Jamie to relax, and Burrito’s reliance on Foxie for reassurance when times are tense and their goofy play sessions when times are relaxed.
There are several close relationships among the chimpanzees. One that we haven’t talked about much is that between Burrito, the youngest chimpanzee, and Negra, the oldest.
Negra seems to give Burrito respect as the one male of the troop, perhaps more respect than some of the other ladies show him (ahem, Jamie).
Burrito and Negra often go to each when there’s something exciting going on, like setting up for a party, and they are frequent grooming partners too.
Today, as you can see from the photos below, they spent several minutes grooming one another after Negra was a bit concerned over a noise she heard.
Negra made a “pout face” as a reaction to the noise (which was a bird calling). This looks similar to when chimpanzees trumpet their lips to pant-hoot, but a pout face is used during times of concern, distress, or frustration:
Then Negra approached Burrito to be groomed, which can be a form of asking for reassurance:
Later, she reciprocated the grooming:
Living in a social group of others who understand their wants and needs is one of the most important aspects of sanctuary life for the chimpanzees, and we understand that they need to turn to one another, not to us humans, for their deepest and most important relationships.
Such a beautiful thing to see Apes showing love and affection! Most humans need to take a long hard study of the Great Apes and learn a thing or two if they’re going to brag about having larger brains! 😉
thank you for this post Diana 🙂
Negra’s “pout face”, when chimps do this do they make any noise or is it just a facial expression? It does look exactly like a “pant hoot” so I am very curious.
I am so very happy to discover that Negra has a friend in Burrito and visa versa. The top photo of Negra and Burrito — 2 of the sweets faces I’ve ever seen. I love Negra and this post and the post about her first big climb onto the platform for the lettuce are so touching. Seems she is really coming into her own and this is what sanctuary is all about.
Wonderful post, thank you Diana.
Kathleen – the pout face is often accompanied by “hoo” sounds.
Now that’s something we humans would do too! Thanks.
It’s good to see friendships with the seven and another side of dear Negra.
Fabulous post about Queen Negra and charming Burrito. Such sweet friendships! Thanks Diana.
I look forward to these posts every day and the more I see the more I’ve come to think that chimps need to study humans. I’ve learned so much from them.
we all need a someone to reassure us…. so nice that Negra has a friend to help….