You Got a Friend in Me (For Today, Anyway)
December 21, 2024 by Krissy -
We are in our final phase of our reintroduction process, and Honey B and Gordo are living together, alone. I wasn’t sure what to expect of this chimp combo. Would they fight? Ignore each other? Just bide their time until they could be reunited with their friends? Well, while they did have a squabble a few days ago (I mean, it happens, right?) they are having SO much fun together! What a joy to watch these two play with reckless abandon. The play faces!? The best!
Enjoy!
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I don’t understand why here isn’t a risk of crushing Honey B while Gordo was pushing her against the caging while he was in the box?
How have the chimps reacted when others leave their group to join the Reintegration group?
What’s better than a chimp in a box? TWO chimps in a box! :laughing:
Although he has his issues, I love the fact that Gordo has that hearty, loud laugh at the ready!
So I’m curious to know how you guys classify/place Honey B in the hierarchy. I take it that she and Gordo are the last two to go in because they’re lower ranking. But with her feistiness, I’m curious as to whether she can really be super low on the scale like Annie is on the other side of the house. She is sort of an enigma.
Or, is Honey B the last to join the Reintroduction group because she is Willy B’s “I-don’t-know-what’s-happening-but-I’m-ready-to-fight!” wing man? Has it been easier to establish and keep the peace in the Reintro group by adding HB last regardless of her status?
True, JB did mention that as a contributing factor
Or maybe – as I imagine and as I learnt from the books by Frans de Waal – chimpanzee hierarchy is not as clear-cut and strictly vertical as the human version (where the lowest in rank always sucks), and although whoever gets the last piece of food seems lower in rank, there can be so many other factors that define the “place” (not the rank as we refer to it) of each of them inside the troop.
I think big silly hearted Gordo is enjoying being the only boy with Honey B. No pressure, just playtime and laughter. And man does Gordo have a lovable laugh! But then again, if you can’t have barrels of laughs in box there’s something wrong. Lastly, I want to be as flexible as Honey B!
Its great to see Gordo having so much fun. He usually looks so apprehensive.
And Honey B needs to stop getting into so many fights, look at all the scars on her face now!
Love seeing this unlikely pair become fast friends! They’re really having an absolute ball! I love how Gordo incorperates a box into his play session with Honey B!
oh, I loved this! I’m so happy you captured it. And so good to see Gordo having so much fun!