Little Guenon, Big Step

Posted at 5:15 pm March 12, 2009 by Janet Hawes

Installment #5
Read Installment #4: Little Guenon, Big Sister

Gigi snuggles with Mimi.

Things continued to go well for Gigi. The relationship between Gigi and her sister, Mimi, was consistently positive, as was her relationship with brother Dru. Most of the time, mom Fifi was patient with and even affectionate toward Gigi. However, we occasionally saw Fifi separate the two girls when they played with each other or sat together, encouraging Mimi to nurse from her briefly. Sometimes, Fifi would carry Mimi away from Gigi. It seemed as if Fifi was unsure about this new relationship that took up so much of her older daughter’s time. Even though we didn’t always understand the dynamics of what was going on with the new family, the Wolf’s guenons did and were working things out among themselves.

Our next step was to prepare Gigi for spending the nights with her family. The guenons often sleep in a cozy hammock suspended from the ceiling. The hammock is made of clean, soft burlap and is large enough for several guenons to sleep together. To encourage Gigi to sleep in a hammock, we strung one up for her in her nursery in the Children’s Zoo and moved all her favorite items into it. Gigi got the “hang” of the hammock and began to use it every night.

Gigi’s first sleepover with the guenons occurred on February 13, 2009. This was Gigi’s last big step. Instead of returning Gigi to the nursery in the late afternoon, nursery keepers fed Gigi her last bottle of the day in the guenons’ bedroom area. We were happy to see that, after drinking her warm bottle that night, Gigi climbed into the hammock to sleep with her sister. The next morning, Gigi appeared rested and had even gained some weight. Our Gigi was a full-fledged member of the guenon family!

These days we have new challenges with Gigi, which are the kind of challenges you really want to have. Sometimes Mimi is holding on to Gigi with such loyalty and devotion that it is difficult to separate the two for weigh-ins or feedings. Gigi has a few more lessons to perfect, like how to forage for food quickly. Until she does, she is briefly separated from the family so she can get enough of the choice food items before a savvy member of the guenon family snatches them up.

As we drop Gigi’s last few bottle feedings, we reflect upon her success. Gigi lives her days surrounded by her cohesive and intelligent family. She continues to gain weight and confidence as she grows. We are proud of Gigi and wish her well.

Janet Hawes is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.

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7 Responses to “Little Guenon, Big Step”

1. Carole says:
   March 12th, 2009 at 5:48 pm

   Janet, you and your staff do an incredible job in reintroducing these young primates with their families –Gigi, little Frank, the bonobo babies. The Gigi/Fifi story is priceless.

2. Shirley Sykes says:
   March 12th, 2009 at 9:17 pm

   Janet, this has been a wonderful story, and now it seems to be winding down to a storybook happy ending! You and your team have done a marvelous job preparing young Gigi for her reunion with her family. The zoo’s nursery team surely deserves commendation, praise, and hugs!!

3. Melissa says:
   March 13th, 2009 at 6:56 am

   Thanks for another installment about Gigi and her family, Janet. Her story has run the gamut from rejection and uncertainty to acceptance and bonding. I’m glad you took us along each step of the way. It’s heartwarming to read about the tender way that the staff has cared for Gigi in this process. As she gains more confidence, I hope that she soon will be emboldened to snatch the choicest pieces of food for herself while in the presence of her family members! I love the picture of Mimi holding Gigi. Very sweet.

   There’s been an interesting story in the news the last few days…Some macaques in Thailand are using human hair to floss their teeth. The mother macaques floss in exaggerated movements when they see their young watching them so that the youngsters can learn how to floss. Animals never cease to amaze.

   Thanks again!

4. Susan (UK) says:
   March 13th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

   You must all feel so proud and pleased when an integration like this goes so well. There must be a lot of breath-holding and worries. And well done to Gigi. She’s finally home.

5. nancy from michigan says:
   March 13th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

   a really inspirational story in many ways. thanks for keeping us in on gigi’s progress and bonding success.
   it’s too bad mom wouldn’t nurse her, but then we dont always know all the whys and where fores within the animal family. anyway, gigi is flourishing because of all your hard and patient work!! I am sure that she is much happier now to be part of this family!!!!!

6. Diana S. says:
   August 14th, 2009 at 8:54 am

   Another success story! So happy to hear that Gigi is with her family and happy.

7. liz 'panda stalker' smith says:
   September 21st, 2009 at 9:27 am

   although i’m primarily a ‘panda stalker’ i am know to sit for long periods watching our close relatives. i greatly enjoy the webcams that you provide but am almost always frustrated trying to see through the glare watching the ape cam. can anything be done? thanks so much. peace!

   Moderator’s note: Our vendor is waiting for a new dome for Ape Cam to arrive. As soon as it does, it will be installed, and we will have a much better picture.

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