Dear Friends of J.A.C.K.,
Sorry for updating so late: power cuts have been part of our every day life for the last weeks not to mention the heavy rains preventing any Internet connection.
Remember, some days ago, Rosie was introduced to the baby group. She has now found a place in this group and Santa is taking good care of her. On the picture below, Santa is hugging both Rosie (left) and Dian…
This time, Pasa and Africa, the 2 eldest babies of the ‘Kivu 4’ group that arrived last year in February have started their introduction program.
Yes, because J.A.C.K. is running out of space and must get funds to build extra quarantine facilities, we have no other choice than present chimps to one another (if they are ready and strong to do so!) and to empty our current facilities…
At first, both have been introduced to the big open air enclosure of the main group. The group was already inside for the night and Pasa and Africa have been allowed to discover this new area.
It seemed they were completely lost!
Then, the little ones have had the opportunity to meet young members of the main group.
Pasa and Africa do get on well with youngsters such as Doguy, Zamba, Wanza. Our dominant female, Shasa, also does take good care of them and this is a good sign.
But it was high time Africa and Pasa met ‘the boss’: Mwisho, the alpha male. The first presentations went well and Mwisho really appeared to be protective.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/w-YlgY1sYyQ" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
The second day (yesterday) was horrible: once the gate open, Mwisho simply attacked to 2 babies who tried to run away and sought for help and protection from us….
Today, Africa and Pasa spent some time with the others of the main group, not with Mwisho as we absolutely wanted the babies to get confidence in the chimps again…
What about Dian?
Dian, the 3rd baby of the ‘Kivu 4’ and because of her very young age, she still remains with the others of the baby group. When rains are not pouring and devastating everything, Mama Angeline and I take these little ones in the small bush we have around the project and they all enjoy climbing and playing in the trees…
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/ywNJKwe2CfM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
I’ll try to come back soon with more news
Thank You,
roxane
Ahhh je n’ai donc pas rêvé!
Nostalgie quand tu nous tiens!
Hi Roxane! I wanted to thank you for keeping us updated on the progress of the babies. I imagine the power outages and internet problems are frustrating not to mention how busy you and the staff are taking care of all your charges. Taking the time to shoot videos and pictures for us as well as posting how things are going is much, much appreciated!
Hi Roxane! It’s good to hear the babies are being introduced to the older ones. They need that interaction and discipline. Mwisho is just making sure they know who is boss but I’m sure it frightened the little ones. Shasa is such a good alpha! She seems to welcome all the little ones and protect them. I’m sure Mwisho will settle down once he is sure the little ones see him as the « boss ». It will be good for them to be in a structured family.
est-ce les antécedents de Mwisho qui veulent cela, on ne sait pas! Il est trop imprévisible même avec ceux de son espèce et parfois cela casse toute l’ambiance du groupe!On croise vraiment les doigts…
Pour ce qui est des cris sur la vidéo, au loin, c’est Africa parce que son lait n’arrivait pas assez vite! et les tout petits bruits, en effet, c’est Rosie qui voulait venir dans les bras. Elle n’est pas encore assez confiante que pour grimper, mais cela viendra…
Je ne fais pas référence aux cris stridents vers la fin de la vidéo 😀
Plutôt aux tout petits à peine perceptibles… C’est peut-être mon imagination et l’envie de les entendre à nouveau qui me joue des tours!
Quel dommage que la seconde présentation ne ce soit pas aussi bien passée que la première!!!
Les deux petits n’ont pas dû vraiment comprendre?!
Je croise les doigts pour que les rapports avec le « boss » finissent par être plus « amicaux ».
Kuya 😀 – Quel plaisir de voir les petits se dégourdirent les jambes!!! Est-ce les petits cris de Rosie que l’on entend sur la vidéo? Grimpe-t-elle, elle aussi dans les arbres?
On pense bien à vous!