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