Kinah Moves Up
Posted at 1:37 pm March 26, 2007 by Janet HawesInstallment #5
(Read Installment #4, Kinah Meets Grandma Dixie.)
On March 7, 2007, Kinah met her grandmother for a full-contact introduction. We placed her into the sunny exercise yard and the door leading to the bedroom was slid open. Dixie exited calmly and noticed Kinah straight away. Kinah made some brave but polite approaches toward Dixie. The actions of each animal seemed designed not to frighten or offend the other. Dixie made gentle grabs at Kinah to investigate her. Kinah would allow the investigations until uncomfortable, and then politely wiggle away. We made sure Kinah got a chance to eat her solid food by placing it into a creep (a small enclosure that only she was tiny enough to enter). When Kinah returned to the nursery that night she was thoroughly tired but not stressed in any way. Her appetite was good and her weight continued to climb, a signal that she was tolerating the changes in her routine well.
As the days progressed we became more confident that Kinah had the skills necessary to handle herself in the monkey world. She was confident, but never overstepped her bounds.
On March 15, 2007, little Bunzi was introduced to Dixie so that these two females could work out any differences between them. Bunzi was wary and cautious because of her earlier experience with a different monkey group. However, the two females were calm and relaxed. On the following day, Kinah was added to the mix. Bunzi and Kinah hit it off almost from the very beginning. Kinah tolerated handling by Bunzi even better than she did from Dixie. The animals were at play, grooming, and moving around the area together throughout the day. Bunzi seemed to be happy for the companionship.
The final piece of the puzzle would be to introduce the male, Toad, into the area now occupied by the females Kinah, Bunzi, and Dixie.
Janet Hawes is a senior keeper in the primate nursery of the Children’s Zoo at the San Diego Zoo.
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March 26th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I’m holding my breath! Sooo happy that little Kinah and Bunzi have found buddies in each other…and Dixie sounds like such a great mommy figure. Can’t wait to hear how this develops! The care that you provide for these animals is amazing…
April 1st, 2007 at 3:51 pm
I love hearing about little Kinah and her survival. You guys do amazing work with the special creatures in your care. Can hardly wait until the next installment (and picture?) of the little group!
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm
What a special story is unfolding. Building a new troop from disadvantaged animals is so special.
I can’t wait to hear the culmination of the first phase of this troop’s story. May they live in harmony and unison for many years to come. They are blazing their own trail, and leaving an education for researchers and conservationists for many years to come.
Congratulations and many thanks to everyone for your dedicated efforts on behalf of these tiny helpless animals.
April 13th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Linda-
We are trying to get a group photo for all to see soon.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Janet