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Written by Amelia Sandoval
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Monday, 05 July 2010 19:45 |
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It has been one year since Africa arrived at the MONA sanctuary. You all probably remember her as the bald chimpanzee with her head covered in sores (in the last issue we recounted how well she was doing). Now, her hair is like that of any other chimpanzee and she is rather beautiful, even competing for the most beautiful female chimpanzee with our own Sara. We would have liked to report that she is well integrated into the family group by now, but the association process is still going on and it is proving to be bit tricky.
Although her attitude at first was quite positive and she has made good progress, she is now showing increasing hesitation towards the second group of chimpanzees. We are beginning to understand what is happening; it seems that she won’t interact with chimps that she finds intimidating. She established a good relationship with Romie and tolerates, but does not interact with, Toto and Tico. The former because of his advanced age with his very slow and deliberate movements and the latter because, as you all know by now, he prefers to keep his distance from his conspecifics. So all this gives Africa sufficient freedom to keep to herself and the others do not generally seek her out in order to interact with her. She thus feels comfortably secure and spends long periods lying in the higher hanging hammocks grooming herself or just enjoying the sunshine. Having been raised as a pet when young and then not being able as a juvenile to permanently live in the space used by her host family, she became used to spending a lot of time alone, reducing the number of social interactions that she normally would make with others to meet her own social needs. Our colleague Alejandra is familiar with all of these behaviours because, as part of her Field Assistant training programme at MONA, she patiently observed Africa for hours ignoring the other chimpanzees, sleeping or even pulling out her hair with her own hands because of stress.
So taking into account all these issues, we are continuing to try different techniques to encourage her to socialise more readily such as presenting her with more ‘active’ individuals and this will most certainly obligate her to make contact and develop relationships which she conveniently can avoid with Toto and Tico. The situation has been quite complicated for everyone involved, but once we get passed the initial encounters, Africa will benefit from increased stimulation and a whole new world of possibilities to interact will open up to her. Africa’s first sessions were quite eventful, but encouraging because she has a strong personality and that allows her to respond to the taunts made by Waty, Juanito, Sara or Nico. They do not hesitate to demonstrate their status initially, but once Africa relaxes, curiosity overtakes them and they are then able to run around with her, tickle her and play other chimpanzee games that she hasn’t experienced before and that she seems to enjoy. A couple of days ago during the fourth session with Waty, Africa had the chance to interact with her when she let down her guard a bit. Africa responded by approaching and touching Waty´s arm to the surprise of all present. These small gestures are actually big steps in the association process and we are confident that she will find her place within the group very soon. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 July 2010 19:26 |
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Tico and Victor: one year integrated |
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Written by Alba Gòmara
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Monday, 05 July 2010 14:22 |
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It’s already been one year since Tico and Víctor were integrated into the family group. As you can imagine, the association process can be rather complicated and/or lengthy. Even once a new member has been integrated into a group, much time and effort may still be required until the animal is fully accepted or begins to exhibit normal behavioural characteristics.
At present, there are still some difficult moments for our two friends, but these are decreasing despite the plot by Juanito, Toto, Sara and Waty against the “new comers”. Such unjust and discriminatory episodes still yet remind us of similarities between chimpanzees and humans. Some of the episodes are indeed justified because Tico has no desire to interact with any of the other family members and Victor attempts to interact, but unfortunately goes about it the wrong way! The pressure among the clan will eventually set things straight, but in the mean time there are still some wonderful scenes such as Victor giving Juanito an early morning hug or Tico timidly reciprocating Juanito’s playful gestures.
Socialization or “becoming friends” assumes a well-being factor among these animals because group living enriches their lives and improves other personal aspects and relationships with their carers. For example, Victor’s abnormal behaviour and constant rocking while holding a blanket has been reduced and Tico now appears to be more comfortable with his human carers.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 July 2010 19:34 |
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Our Director is to attend The International Primatological Society´s XXIII Congress in Japan |
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Written by MONA Administrator
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Monday, 05 July 2010 10:38 |
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Olga Feliu, our director, has been cordially invited to the next international primatology conference to be held in Kyoto at Kyoto University (Yoshida campus) in September 2010.
This prestigious international congress held once every two years brings together primatologists and other researchers from all over working on the front lines for the protection and conservation of primates. The theme of the conference this year is “Quest for coexistence with non-human primates”.
MONA was invited to the conference by the organizers of a specific workshop titled “The growing role of rescue and rehabilitation centres beyond just saving and caring for primates”. Olga will present the diverse primate research, education and protection taking place at MONA. WSPA generously donated the required financial resources to cover all conference related expenses.
This conference is an excellent forum to present work being done at MONA and to exchange knowledge and ideas with other people who have also been working for so many years protecting and studying our closely related cousins. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 July 2010 19:40 |
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Our old friend Joey from Mole Hall has died |
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Written by Dr. Lorraine Docherty
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Tuesday, 08 June 2010 13:25 |
We are all saddened by the news that Joey from Mole Hall has died. You will remember that just over a year ago we campaigned tirelessly to re-home Joey and Tubman to our sanctuary in Spain but unfortunately the Johnstone family who owned the chimps changed their minds about them being retired with us and decided to send them to Wales. Joey was a special chimp with a great sense of humour. We will never forget him. Rest in peace dear friend. I'm afraid that we don't have any details at the moment but we will let you know as soon as we know more. |
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Last Updated on Friday, 02 July 2010 20:17 |
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TV Vet Scott Miller joins us to rescue Africa |
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Written by Dr. Lorraine Docherty
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Wednesday, 03 June 2009 00:00 |
Africa the chimpanzee arrives at MONA Sanctuary
in her special transport crate, carried by Dr. Scott
Miller and Olga FeliuTV vet Dr. Scott Miller joined us to rescue Africa from a home in Gran Canaria. Scott Miller said “It was awful to see how she had been living for the last 12 years. She had been confined in a dilapidated house and never allowed outside, out of fear that the authorities might discover her. I feel privileged to be able to help Africa get to the sanctuary where she will meet other chimps and get the chance to be a chimp again.”
Africa had already shown some aggression towards a family member so we were keen to get her out before the unthinkable happened. Chimpanzees of this age are usually very unpredictable and they can be dangerous. It is like having a ticking time bomb in your living room. We all are aware of Travis a pet chimp in the US who was shot dead after attacking a woman. Is this not evidence enough that chimps don’t make good pets?
Africa at the MONA SanctuaryAfrica’s rescue went very well but it took 24 hours to get her to the sanctuary because there were no direct cargo flights from Gran Canaria to Girona where the sanctuary is located. The team were exhausted when they arrived at the sanctuary but Africa had remained calm in the crate through -out the journey and was in good spirits when she arrived to her new home.
Africa is now at the sanctuary and she is settling in very well. She had a severe skin condition covering her head and the top of her shoulders. It is being treated with aloe vera cream every day to moisture the dry cracked skin and as you can see from the photo there has been a huge improvement in such a short space of time. Olga Feliu said: “We are giving her lots of attention and TLC which she will need for a while until she is confident enough to meet the other chimps. Overall she is a calm and confident individual and we are certain that she will be integrated very soon.”
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If you would like to sponsor Africa or help support MONA-UK’s work, please donate by clicking on www.justgiving.com/mona-uk-rescueafrica or check out their website at www.MONA-UK.org |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 July 2009 12:48 |
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Page 6 of 8 |
Sanctuary News
