Chad de Bree

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!