Friday, July 25, 2008
A repeat drama: Gremlin takes Gaia's newborns
Longitude: 29.6277  Latitude:-4.6748

 Open Blog Entry in Google Earth    Make a Comment


Mike Wilson's post continues:

This afternoon, Gremlin took Gaia's babies.

Methodi says that both of them are boys. I've only had a good look at one, and he is definitely male. Now, Gremlin has them both and she's not giving them back. Gremlin hadn't been seen at all this month. When she showed up today, she saw Gaia and seemed surprised to see that Gaia had babies. She approached Gaia and then took them both.

GremlinhasGaia'stwins

Gremlin with the twins. In 2006, Gremlin took Gaia's first baby, Godot, who later died, perhaps of malnutrition. (Photo: Anna Mosser)

Gaia made a great fuss, screaming and such, but was unable to get her babies back from her mother. Gaia spent the rest of the day following her mother around, grooming her, watching her, but didn't make any other attempts to get her baby back. Gremlin's other kids (Golden, Glitta,  Gimli) watched the new babies with great interest. And for Gimli, I'm sure there was great dismay as well, as now both of Gremlin's nipples are occupied!

I arrived just as Fanni arrived. Fanni didn't bother Gremlin and didn't try to take the babies. Gremlin seems to be doing a better job as mother than Gaia. She is holding both babies head-up, and seems to be nursing them both. Gimli cried now and then, presumably wanting milk, but he is over 4 years old now, the same age as Familia, who already has a little sibling.

There was vigorous discussion at the night meeting this evening about what was going to happen.

Contributor: Anna Mosser    Permalink   

.....................................................................................................................................................................................................


The Gombe Chimpanzee Blog

The Jane Goodall Institute Location: Gombe National Park,  Kigoma Region, TZ

Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute continues Dr. Goodall’s pioneering research of chimpanzee behavior -- research which transformed scientific perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals. Today, the Institute is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. It also is widely recognized for establishing innovative community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa, and the Roots & Shoots education program, which has groups in more than 95 countries.

Our current bloggers are Gombe Stream Research Center Director Anna Mosser and research scientist Emily Wroblewski. Look for links to their photos and bios below.

View Emily's profile

Gombe Chimp Blog Links:
Blog Archives Map
Help / FAQs
Credits
Membership Info
JGI News Center
JGI's Center for Primate Studies
Feeds:
 

Blogroll:
Kanyawara Chimpanzee Blog
Harvard Chimp & Bonobo Blog
Links:
Grist Magazine
Phsyorg.com
Eric C. Matthews
Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute
 

Powered By EarthWatchr Geoblog
Firefox 2