things i forgot to say

It always happens that I realize I'm just about to go but never posted on so many things that I had planned to. So, in no particular order, and in abbreviated form, here are a few of them. The first is friends. I always end up posting lots of pics of individual chimps, telling their stories etc, but seldom capture the truly social nature of their lives. In every group there are individuals who get along better and worse, but there are also a few instances of very special friendships....inseparable pairs.

A lot of the littlest guys have special friends. Here is the infamous pair of Tambagissa and Louise:

At the sanctuary, friendships start early in life. Often times, if a group of young infants arrive together, they will remain emotionally close throughout their lives. Here's a couple examples of nascent lifelong friendships:

Of of course friendship knows no age, sex, or color:

There was also a big push this year for people to learn a bit of English. JGI volunteers put up signs all over the sanctuary labeling things in English:


I did what I could:


I guess I forgot that they EAT paper.

What else? we had a party:

and I saw a butterfly :) till next year...

Skinjuries, skindurance

One of the amazing things about chimpanzees compared to humans (and possibly bonobos) is how tough their skin is, and how quickly wounds heal. Compared to humans, chimpanzees have thicker skin, but it is also just much tougher and heals very quickly after each assault. Here is a shot of Ulemvouka's foot showing a typical chimp injury. eek huh?


A close up (too close?) of the damage...


And just for those of us who forgot the many virtues of band-aids:


For comparison, take a look at the gash I conveniently (at least for the blog) got last night:

Human skin is like paper. How could anybody survive in a chimp-like world wearing only this for armor?

Mme & Mlle Mouton

Another novelty at tchimpounga this year is the presence of two sheep, Madame and Mademoiselle Mouton (from left).


We see a lot of them because they hang around the house hoping for stale bread.



I fed them ONE day, and instantly realized my mistake when they were literally kicking at the door and jumping up on the windows for more bread.


They have taken a bite or two out of our data sheets, and this morning snuck in through an open door to inspect the garbage. They seem to enjoy head butting against your hand and I actually went head-to-head with Madame Mouton the other day. It was a low-speed collision but I'm pretty sure I won....at least she walked away when it was over....

Lavielle, les jeunes

We have a new neighbor this year. Lavielle (the old) was Gregoire's partner in the garden before Gregoire passed away last year at the age of 64. Although she was alone last summer she has since moved to an enclosure next to our house where, ironically, she now lives with the youngest chimpanzees at the sanctuary.


The juxtaposition just about kills me. Lavielle is like this big white horse in there, and the babies, with their infant instincts, cling to her everywhere she goes.


But for Lavielle, the gig has it perks. Infants are fed oatmeal and soy mixture daily, one of the few things in life that still gets the old girl interested.



While the babies are fed individually from bottles, lavielle receives a bucket for herself.

And while that's usually enough, its ultimately a fight for every spoonful

Fighting fires

I realize that I've probably posted about the fires in Congo at least once per year. But, i guess its always kind of exciting when they happen and i end up taking a bunch of pictures. This year one of the fires came uncomfortably close, so tchimpounga sent a crew to nip it in the bud.

Didier looks into the distance as the fire first makes its way across the fields and toward our house:

Through my zoom its not as timid as it seems on the horizon:

Fortunately we did have one truck with a hose which did most of the work. Nonetheless, watering cans and shovels were integral to the effort.

The 'firemen' pose for a photo after things are under control:

Body Guards - Photo Culture

Just one pic here but I find it incredible. This year we have personal 'body guards' just as a safety measure when working with the chimps etc in case there is an escape. Here is a pictures of me and kara with our boday guards. The difference in photography culture kills me here. Kara and I are all smiles looking straight ahead. Bienvenu on the left demonstrates one of the Congolese photo poses, the half turn/look into the distance. This one is big with the politicians. Didier on the right does the other popular pose, stoic and straight on. you may be smiling and laughing the moment before the shutter opens, but the critical moment reveals no emotion. also...i have been using a lot of sunscreen. can you tell?

From the bottom

I wasn't sure what to post on first from tchimpounga but have decided to start with the little guys. Probably because for me, it is always amazing to show up and see how much the littlest ones have grown in a year. Take mambou. I took the pic on the left last july when he had just arrived and was struggling for life itself. He was really young on arrival and in tough shape. I took the image on the right a few days ago. He's happy, and healthy, but hasn't yet shed the extra baggage around the mouth. But its wonderful to see him running around on his own now, with friends, and turning into a healthy young chimpanzee.

How about this for a face?

or these for a set of chompers?

Sometimes there is a quiet moment in the nursery...

...but its rare.


Baby chimps should have shut-off valves, like the gas tanks on cars. unfortunately they don't. got milk?