Little Guenon Gets Acquainted
Posted at 11:47 am February 3, 2009 by Janet Hawes
Janet puts Gigi's heat disk in a soft blanket.
Read Installment #1: Little Guenon Gigi
When Gigi was two weeks old, we had essentially eliminated all the obstacles of her socialization. Gigi was eating and gaining weight well, was bottle adapted, and could hold her body temperature outside of the incubator environment. She still relied upon a heat disk to keep her toasty when outside or in a cool room.
Gigi is gently placed in her transfer crate.
For her part, Gigi was quiet and a bit unsure, holding on to her favorite stuffed animal and looking around. Immediately the family jockeyed for position, shoulder to shoulder so each could get the best view. Soon they began to reach through the wire mesh, pulling on the blankets and probing for Gigi. Mom Fifi was the most eager, gently touching Gigi’s head, lifting her tail, and inspecting her fur carefully. The reception, which lasted 45 minutes, was resoundingly positive. Mom never left my side while I sat with Gigi. This introduction continued for several successive days. As we observed the progressive positive interactions, we began to formulate a plan. Fifi was showing maternal interest in Gigi, and since Fifi was still nursing Gigi’s sister, Mimi, she still had milk. We decided to try a full reintroduction to the guenon group to see if Fifi would begin to carry and feed her youngest daughter.
On December 9, a full tactile introduction was attempted. Since the group was so attentive and gentle through the gate, we felt comfortable taking the reintroduction to the next step. So, instead of sitting by the gate as usual, guenon senior keeper Leticia Plasencia placed little Gigi in one of the animal bedrooms alone. We set Gigi up with a “safe home base.” She had her favorite stuffed surrogate tied to the wire mesh so the family couldn’t take it away. Gigi also had her nice, cozy heat source wrapped in a familiar blanket to provide warmth during the introduction. Leticia opened the door, allowing the whole group inside for full access. We were hoping that Fifi would pick up and carry her baby.
We were on hand when the family was allowed accesss into the bedroom area. That day the family never left Gigi and chose to hang out with her in the bedroom, but Fifi never did really pick her up. There were a few motions that looked like she may have tried, but the two never quite accomplished it. Instead, there were more of the same enthusiastic investigations by all members of the guenon family. Big sister Mimi was a guenon of interest at first. We were a bit worried that Mimi’s earlier behavior with her little sister would carry over, especially if Fifi decided to pay more attention to this new baby. Although Fifi did make a few rough grabs, she was largely only curious about the new arrival.
As it turned out, we didn’t get everything we were hoping for that day. When we removed Gigi to return her to the nursery, we had not witnessed a major event, but we had launched a new and important process. Now that we knew Gigi was safe with the family, we could make our visits much more significant by letting Gigi spend part of every day outside the care of humans, surrounded by her guenon family. Gigi’s introduction made giant leap forward.
Check back soon for my next blog, where I’ll talk about the Gigi’s introduction into the exhibit.
Janet Hawes is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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February 3rd, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Janet, you gave such a great description of what happened during the re-introduction. I think I was holding my breath while I was reading. While it didn’t go 100% as hoped, was there a great chance that Gigi would have been met with hostility? Is Gigi’s favorite stuffed animal a monkey? (I don’t know why that makes me curious but it’s such a tender thought to consider that I wanted to ask.) I hope that eventually she will be fully integrated with her family and enjoy the attentions of her mother. She seems so fragile and small. I’m glad she has such sensitive and dedicated caretakers to reassure her and provide some of the comfort and attention that she is missing out on.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:30 am
Awww…poor little gigi, I wish mom had picked her up and hugged her. How long will she keep nursing Mimi? If it is soon maybe she would then take on gigi? From your description it sounds like mom is torn between her and Mimi. I hope that eventually she shows her some affection and at least they are welcoming to her. Please keep us updated.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Dear Melissa (#1)-
Thank you so much for reading about our little Gigi. Your first question is a good one regarding the chances that Gigi could be treated with some hostility by her family during her reintroduction. In Gigi’s case, we were fairly confident based upon the reception during the visual introduction process that the family would not harm her. However, with wild animals it is always impossible to predict behavior in all situations. We are careful when we conduct a social reintroduction. We plan and proceed cautiously, making several important small steps before we execute our next move. The nursery relies heavily on the keepers, like Leticia, to interpret the adult group’s acceptance of the baby. When things don’t look good, there are several steps we can take to build a more positive relationship between baby and adult group. This may take more time and require more patience than Gigi’s introduction, but we always try for steady progress and a successful outcome.
Gigi’s surrogate was a stuffed monkey. The aim of providing a surrogate is to simulate the maternal body. We select one which is appropriate for each species. These surrogates can alleviate stress and help to create a sense of security in the hand-reared infant. Since those early days, little Gigi has been weaned off of her favorite stuffed monkey entirely, even during her introductions. Her little monkey surrogate served an important and useful purpose, but now Gigi has moved on to other important relationships and activities which you will read more about later.
Thanks again!
Janet
February 4th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Thank you for answering my questions, Janet! I will be looking forward to future installments about precious Gigi, along with (hopefully) more photos. She is a beautiful creature and I love her colorful cheeks.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Janet, thanks so much for your very informative blogs about baby Gigi and your equally informative response to Melissa’s questions. We zoophiles are always thrilled, as you are, when one of “your” babies can be returned to its own family. Cheetahs, fossas, bonobos, and so many others, especially the hyrax! You and your team are the greatest!!
February 5th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Thank you for this very descriptive account of little Gigi’s introduction to her family. Looking forward to the next installment.
February 6th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Although it is sad that Gigi’s Mum didn’t hold her or try and feed her, as you had hoped, it does look promising that she will be able to return to her family. She is so very very cute and the thought of her hugging her little stuffed monkey is a lovely one. These little babies are so delicate yet so strong in character at the same time. I’m also looking forward to the third instalment.
February 11th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Interisting! I hope evereything works out!
February 13th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I was lucky enough to see Gigi in the nursery when I was last at the zoo. She was so tiny, inquisitive and beautiful. I’m glad to see she is growing and staying healthy. I’ll be eagerly watching to see if she is able to be completely reintroduced to her family. Thank you!