intros

One the challenges associated with doing introductions, besides the introductions themselves, is getting all of the different individuals and groups where they need to be. You have to pull certain individuals from their groups temporarily and move them to the space where the intro will be held. Other chimps have to clear that area. While all of this is going on we have to clean. And when an intro has gone on long enough, the chimps need to split up in the right order so they can go back with their groups. It’s like that puzzle where the fox, the chicken, and the bag of grain have to be taken across the river in a boat, except in this case everyone in the boat is also spitting at you and threatening to capsize it. Tonight, Kelsi has the pleasure of getting everyone to the other side of the river safely, which is why I am writing the blog in her place.

Today we picked up the with introduction that we postponed yesterday. At that time, Willy B, Mave, and Honey B were engaged in a little too much aggressive behavior at the mesh with Cy, Rayne, and Lucky for us to proceed in the time we had. One thing we’re seeing this time around is that Mave is not always going to lead the way as she did during attempts to integrate her group with the Cle Elum Seven. In fact, Mave has often taken longer to warm up during group intros at the mesh than her group mates. This initial aloofness, and at times aggression, eventually fades and she solicits attention and grooming from the others. Fortunately, this morning we planned some extra time for Mave to make up her mind and eventually it was clear that she was ready.

The group of six came together in the front rooms with a chorus of pant grunts, and soon they were chasing, wrestling, and laughing. Mave and Rayne engaged in a raucous wrestling match. I always hold my breath when they play like this during intros, and this time that kind of fear was justified, as Mave soon became overwhelmed and screamed. Her scream, amplified by the tentativeness of the whole situation, led the group to pile up in a brief conflict. Kelsi, Jen, and the other staff members supporting them kept their cool and separated the chimps temporarily. As the fight resulted from a simple misunderstanding during play, there were no hard feelings and the group was quickly reunited with just a couple of boo boos to memorialize the event.

The boys came together to groom after that, which is a great sign. The previous morning, I was watching them emerge from their nests after their sleepover. Male chimps like to display in the morning, and their displays lent an air of tension to the situation. They seemed to want to interact, but both were too nervous to make the first move. Luckily, chimpanzees have a process for just this type of scenario. They came together across the mesh – right next to an open doorway – and groomed. After establishing trust with the mesh between them, Willy B walked through the doorway and they continued grooming face to face.

Once today’s group of six seemed relatively stable, it was time to give them access to a playroom. This is another sign of trust – that the caregivers trust the cohesion of the group enough to temporarily lose them to a larger space where breaking up a conflict becomes more difficult. They did wonderfully. And just to make Kelsi’s day, they split back up into their original groups of three for the night without too much difficulty.

I have such admiration for our staff, and such appreciation for Jen who has led us through this process. I’d love it if we get all nine together someday. But we may not. The process continues and soon we’ll be getting Terry, Dora, and Gordo in one some of these smaller group dates. Whether we’re ultimately successful or not, some of the relationships that have already formed are too good to let slip away, and Willy B, Mave, and Honey B will either have a new family or endless play dates in their future.