Caregivers notice these chimps carefully observing their groupmates, monitoring from a distance. They both like to keep a close eye on their families. One commonality LB and Jamie share is their watchfulness. It probably does take a variety of personalities to keep them behaving.” The Auntie Character Kate explains her reasoning: “Adolescent females are super dramatic, screaming, they’re just crazy. Behavior Coordinator Kate imagines that the four distinct personalities of the old ladies somehow work together to form the perfect auntie combo. The four eldest, nicknamed the “Golden Girls,” work as a unit to teach the six adolescent females in their group right from wrong. Precious exploring the North Habitat with her group mates. Female chimps as a Group of AuntiesĪlong with the other high-ranking female chimps in DJT Villa- Jurita, Precious, and Jill-Jamie helps keep the younger girls in line. More recently, Jamie has connected with the younger females in her group. Kate also describes her as a “girl’s girl,” because Jamie has extremely close bonds with the other high-ranking female chimps in DJT Villa. She’ll slap a male’s hand away when he tries to groom her.Īccording to Behavior Coordinator Kate, even the most dominant boys don’t mess with Jamie. While most chimps accept social grooming as a nice gesture, Jamie isn’t afraid to tell another chimp she’s not in the mood to be groomed. Born in 1989, she’s the oldest chimp in DJT Villa, and accordingly well-respected.īut unlike other high-ranker LB, Jamie has a tough persona.
Like LB, Jamie, holds a high status in her group. And in turn, playtime brings them much-needed emotional support, the kind chimps crave after a fight. They keep LB young, bringing out the playful side of her. LB will initiate play after a conflict as a means to reassure the “Little Girls.” If they get startled by a male’s rowdy display, LB will be the first to provide comfort, cheering up the “Little Girls” through play. She dotes, reassures, and guides the youngsters as they grow and navigate chimp social settings. The two frequently groom together in their villa. High-ranking LB and lower-ranking Amy have a special bond. Part of the “Big Girl” trio, LB still maintains very strong relationships with the youngest in her group. She serves as the link between these three “Little Girls” and the three “Big Girls” at the top of the hierarchy. LB, Harmony Villa’s unofficial “Fun Aunt,” likes to dote on Sarah, Amy, and Loretta, the “Little Girls.”
Older female chimps who take young female groupmates under their metaphorical wing, I call “aunties.” But really, they’re just old ladies showing young girls the ropes.īetween the “Fun Aunt” in Harmony Villa and the “Tough Aunt” in Dorothy Jo and Tilly’s Villa (DJT), vital auntie characters abound at Project Chimps. Do you have aunties in your life? Sometimes related to you-your mom’s sisters, maybe-or sometimes family friends of no relation to you, although you didn’t realize until age 15 that you aren’t related?Ĭhimps have these ambiguous female figures too! Growing up without their mom, our orphaned lab chimps rely even more heavily on the guidance of older influences.
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