15 May 2012

Three chimpanzees have been transferred to Kumamoto Sanctuary
仲間と暮らすための努力についての報告

On May 15th 2012 three chimpanzees have been transferred from a Japanese pharmaceutical company to Kumamoto Sanctuary, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University.
Their names are: a female Candy and two males Musashi and Shoubou.
They were captured in the wild and then taken to Japan when they were only infants.
Ever since, now for 30 years they have lived in small indoor cages, isolated from each other until this transfer took place.

In their new home at Kumamoto Sanctuary, They can see the blue sky, step onto the ground and touch, laugh and even fight with their new group mates again three decades later.

Please join us through this report and see how they are gradually returning to be more natural, more social, like real chimpanzees' life enriched.

English text: Michael Seres, based on original Japanese by Toshifumi Udono and Migaku Teramoto.

 
2012.05.16 Day 02 The three chimps were let out from their indoor holding cages into the indoor enclosure.
Musashi, Shoubou and Candy were transferred to KS yesterday.
They were let out of their cages during the afternoon today.

Candy and Musashi searched through their rooms slowly and silently. They checked out their "furniture" - the hanging fire hoses for climbing and they also examined the wooden bench carefully.
On the other side Shoubou could not. Maybe he was scared in the new big room. Shoubou was just watching KS staff, all standing outside at the fence while kept panting to people. Shoubou is maybe too dependent on people and wants to call for help.

On the first day none of them managed to climb up using the fire hose, the hammock made from fire hose or climb onto the wooden bench. I guess it will take many days until they learn how to use the hammock and the bed / bench.
熊本サンクチュアリにチンパンジーがやってきました キャンディー Candy
熊本サンクチュアリにチンパンジーがやってきました ムサシ Musashi
熊本サンクチュアリにチンパンジーがやってきました ショウボウ Shoubou
2012.05.21 Day 07 Candy stepped onto the ground.
Candy was let out of her indoor room which is made of concrete and stepped onto the ground at three p.m. in the afternoon.
Candy seemed puzzled for a while, but then she checked out her surrounding carefully and slowly, and in a few minutes she stepped out to forward near the fence.
After stepping outside, she sat on the ground for a while and then started making a nest from grass!
This behavior is uncommon among Captive chimpanzees. Perhaps she still remembers of her early years spent in the wild when her mother made nests for the two of them at nights to sleep in.
She is now scheduled to go outside every day and learn about her naturalistic environment.
Musashi and Shoubou can look to the outside today. The windows on their indoor enclosures are now fully open. They can enjoy the scenery - look at trees and bushes and look down to the sea.
First, however, they only looked around with their hair abristle and didn't respond much.
Musashi and Shoubou were walking around making no noise at all, indicating they have been slightly nervous.
30年ぶりに屋外に出るチンパンジー キャンディー屋外に出る
30年ぶりに屋外にとまどうチンパンジー とまどうキャンディー
30年ぶりに屋外に出てベッドメーキングをするチンパンジー キャンディーのベッドメーキング
はじめて屋外を見たチンパンジー ムサシ外を見る
はじめて屋外を見たチンパンジー ショウボウ外を見る
2012.05.29 Day 15
Musashi and Shobou finally have met each other yesterday.
Though Shoubou was willing to come close to Musashi, Musashi stayed away and avoided Shoubou. He only acted nervous and puzzled. Unfortunately the very sensitive Musashi and the easy going Shoubou did not match today.
During the same period of time Candy made some progress: she climbed up a bit higher using those available fire hoses and platforms but she didn't push it too far, too fast. She prefers the cool indoors.
Her skin is still white. She has not been exposed to sun due to being kept only indoors. Gradually she will gain tan while her skin gets darker, like all other captive chimpanzees are.
別のチンパンジーと初めて顔合わせ ムサシ、ショウボウ見合い(05/28)
別のチンパンジーと初めて顔合わせ ショウボウを威嚇するムサシ(05/29)
駆け寄るキャンディ 駆け寄るキャンディ(05/29)
2012.06.05 Day 22
Musashi and Shoubou finally have met each other in the outdoor enclosure this afternoon.
We are expecting them to become familiar with each other rather fast, due to unfamiliar circumstances. Chimpanzees tend to be dependent on someone who they already know in such unfamiliar circumstances.
These two males have been acquainted with each other visually since they lived in the same room for years though in separate cages. Facing with unfamiliar circumstances in the new environment helps these two chimpanzees to establish bonding, so they can handle fear and anxiety much better together.
Taking advantage on this simple but important phenomena, unfamiliar chimpanzees can usually be introduced at once without problem, however, before they learned enough about their new environment.
30年ぶりに初めてチンパンジーのムサシが屋外に出た瞬間
This was the first time Musashi stepped outside into the outdoors.
He looked around gingerly and began wondering around silently.
30年ぶりに初めて空を見上げたチンパンジー
Upon stepping outside Musashi looked up to the sky while his mouth left open for a long period of time. He kept staring at the sky giving the impression that he was caught by surprise.
やっと出てきたショウボウ
Shoubou after some minutes of hesitation has finally also stepped outside. He was encouraged to make the big step by offering him some mandarin oranges he could not resist. After he gangled a bit he sat down and started screaming.
ムサシ、ショウボウ初接触
Here, Musashi was slowly approaching Shoubou.
威嚇し返すショウボウ
Musashi then suddenly bluffed at Shoubou. He stood upright and raised his shoulders, his arms stretched wide open with his fur standing and in that bipedal position he stomped his foot to the ground, then ramped Shoubou.
(After such, called semi-agonistic action chimpanzees normally embrace and quickly inspect each other's rump, expressing that the action was just a bluff to test trust.) Shoubou, in response also ramped Mushashi.
In this short battle Mushashi suddenly got confused and ran away from Shoubou.
初めて会うチンパンジーにとまどう
Musashi seemed to be puzzled by the action he got himself into. His facial expression - one might think - reflected a puzzling question, as if Musashi asked himself "Why...? What exactly had happened here?"
全くかみ合わない二人
Musashi and Shoubou have failed to be friendly today. Neither of them was willing to compromise and offer friendly gestures or sounds. The positive side of this first meeting is that neither Musashi nor Shoubou acted overly aggressive. They both were cautious whilst both might have thought - " I am greater than you! "
ディスプレイしあう二人
Musashi and Shoubou ramped each other with no eye contact. Once or twice, they displayed at the same time.
帰りを急ぐ二人
This first introduction trial has ended for today since Musashi and Shoubou did not make any further effort to get closer to one another. They kept the distance, except at the time when KS staff opened the door and let them back into their night quarters. Musashi gently push-passed Shoubou as he rushed through the door back into his indoor enclosure. Ironically it was the only moment today when Musashi and Shoubou were the closest to one another with no hostility at all.
Musashi's behavior indicated he was nervous. Its not a good sign when he would be introduced to other chimpanzee individuals. Shoubou acts like he is passive and inexperienced in interacting with other chimpanzees. Unfortunately they did not progress much today. They might need an extra individual who is friendly enough to both and capable serving to be the mediator.
2012.06.06 Day 23 Musashi and Shoubou have met each other in the outdoor enclosure again today.
Musashi was not friendly to Shoubou; he behaved and acted same as yesterday. He began chasing Shoubou at the moment they were let together. Musashi chased Shoubou desperately. He screamed at Shoubou during his chase and he did so with drooling so he seemed more afraid than aggressive. Musashi could not catch Shoubou; Shoubou had room to breathe. Musashi kept taking brakes in between chases as he quickly got breathless but still did not give up going after Shoubou.
Shoubou was alert and fast enough to avoid Musashi's provocation while he must have thought - "Come on Mushashi...Give me a break!"

At some point Shoubou suddenly turned around and made a swing at Musashi. Shoubou's powerful slap finally stopped Musashi's effort. He gave up chasing Shoubou.

Shoubou made his point! Musashi's weakness - both his screaming and chasing without meaningful results abruptly ended by Shoubou that reminded Musashi of who the real Boss actually was here!
Shoubou, shortly after he managed to stop Musashi, he returned and attempted to embrace Musashi from behind - a nice initiative for reconciliation but Musashi could not accept Shoubou's peace-making effort. Musashi, being scared, avoided Shoubou and kept the distance. Musashi clearly needs more time to understand.
Shoubou then left Musashi alone giving him more time. Then they both went on their separate ways: checked out feeders and spent time resting on different sunny spots alone.
必死なムサシ 必死なムサシ
いい加減にしろ いい加減にしろ!の一撃
仲直りのハグは失敗 仲直りのハグは失敗
30年ぶりに日に当たるチンパンジー 日に当たるムサシ
フィーダーをチェックするショウボウ フィーダーをチェックするショウボウ
2012.06.12 Day 29
Last weekend Musashi behaved very inappropriately with Shoubou. He kept provoking him, and then pushed his luck too far that had left Shoubou with no other choice than to retaliate. Shoubou bit into Musashi's back and Musashi lost some of his fur in the battle.

In order to repair their relationship, two future group mates, the gentle Shirou and the peaceful George were let out into the adjacent outdoor enclosure.

We call this tactic "Operation 'enemy' of us; the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Suddenly facing with unfamiliar chimpanzees can prompt offering help - or asking for help from an individual next to you and then when united (even if they were "enemies" earlier) they were expected to support each other against the unfamiliar Shirou and George next door.

At first Musashi and Shoubou kept distance but at the moment they have spotted Shirou and George coming out they screamed and immediately embraced each other. Musashi held onto Shoubou's leg and kept screaming. Next they have inspected each other's rumps. The "operation" succeeded!

Shortly later Shoubou already offered some friendly gestures to Shirou through the two mesh walls that separated them. Musashi, however, distanced himself from Shirou and avoided direct communication. It seemed that while Shoubou might quickly become a friend of Shirou, Musashi likely not so soon.
牽制し合う二人
フェンス越しの対面
抱き合う二人
お尻をチェックし合う二人
2012.06.13 Day 30
The "operation" was repeated again today. Musashi and Shoubou reacted same to each other as yesterday. We were happy to experience their reaction again. They screamed and supported each other. Please enjoy looking at photos below.
Looks like they are getting more and more relaxed and friendly with each other now.
2012.06.14 Day 31
Shoubou offered some friendly gestures to Shirou through the two mesh walls that separated them yesterday. These two might become good friends soon. Based on their initial friendly behavior through the mesh they were let together in the outdoor enclosure.
Shirou has been very tolerant to other chimpanzees even if he did not know them before. He played an important role in past introduction trials. Though he is very small, he is brave enough to stand up against other, often a double of his size individuals.
At first they met each other through mesh walls. Once they were calm they were allowed to meet each other in the outdoor enclosure. Shoubou struck Shirou at once and they scuffled. In the battle Shirou's ear suffered a bite and his skin got scratched. Shoubou hit his head at the edge of an iron pipe. His head on the back became red. Fortunately it was just a mild attack and they did not use their canines during the battle.
Shoubou walked back and forth; his walk looked very awkward as if he regretted his action. At the other side Shirou did not seem to take Shoubou's aggression seriously. Shortly, Shirou stepped in front of Shoubou, nodded, bared his teeth and presented his erect penis while repeatedly invited Shoubou to come closer by waving his arm. Shirou's behavior indicated as if he would say like "Come on please, I am not an enemy of you. Shall we become friends?"
Shoubou looks like scared now. He repeatedly went back and forth and avoided Shirou. Shirou was, however, very persistent and with his gentle approach kept trying to repair the relationship. Shoubou finally sat down in front of Shirou and while opening his mouth widely, he kept panting to Shirou. He covered his upper canines with his upper lip - offering his friendship to start again. Shoubou now gave up fighting.
Next they have embraced each other tight. We were hoping for this moment!

They made eye contacts and have looked at each other's face closely and groomed! They became friends. We were hoping that Shoubou, the newcomer would groom Shirou but he did not. Shoubou, it seems, has no experience grooming another chimpanzee. He stayed calm while Shirou's grooming must felt good, probably for the first time in 30 years.
When they were relaxed, George was released to join them. George, a peaceful individual does not cause trouble during the introduction trials. To our surprise, he quickly became a friend and began playing with Shoubou. Please look at the photos; George (left) and Shoubou (middle). Shoubou was smiling. Chimpanzees smile with their mouth open but they don't show their upper teeth.
They were playfully slapping at each other while smiling and panting.
Please take a look at their very similar facial expression - both showing a wide-open mouth. George could become one of Shoubou's best friends who is capable of acting as a mediator during the upcoming future introduction trials. We hope George will be protecting Shoubou when Shoubou is ready to meet several future group mates.
Shoubou was not as peaceful as we had previously anticipated. Shirou took the mediator role and we were very pleased with that!
2012.06.19 Day 36
Shoubou, Shirou and George have been spending one hour together every evening since June 14th. Shoubou is not yet willing to touch neither Shirou nor George much. He seems cautious or might not know how to play with another chimpanzee. Shirou and George kept inviting Shoubou several times within one hour. Shoubou only responded to one grooming initiative, then kept walking and kept the distance. It is frustrating but we hope Shoubou will be more and more friendly at his own pace.

In the meantime Shoubou and Musashi are spending time together in their indoor enclosure daily except for the one hour intro trial with Shirou and George. Although they are getting more friendly with each other, they still keep the distance with occasional friendly gestures, such as head bobbing, panting when making eye contacts in between. Sometimes they play walk behind each other with the distance getting shorter and shorter in between them - a sign of accepting each other's presence in the same room.

Candy has been already introduced to a male named Black. A day before they met each other through a double mesh wall when Candy first panted to Black, and showed friendliness, then suddenly spat at him! She was tomboyish!

Musashi and Shoubou toned up their muscles in a month - compared to their photos taken at their arrival four weeks ago. Candy's skin also gained some tan.
ムサシとショウボウ(06/18)
キャンディー(06/19)
ショウボウがジョージとぐるぐる回り(06/19)
ショウボウがシロウとグルーミング(06/19)
2012.06.28 Day 45
Musashi and George have met each other in the outdoor enclosure today. Musashi and Shoubou were let together in their indoor enclosure once more today but they fought again. There were several reasons. One throw a plastic container, and it hit the other accidentally, and the accident triggered the fight. The same sequence seemed to be repeated: Musashi screamed and chased Shoubou. Shoubou retaliated: he turned around and bit into Musashi's back. Musashi lost.
Analizing of what happened we now thought that no other chimpanzee but the "super" peaceful George could only be friend of Musashi. Musashi was let together with George, meeting through the double mesh walls first, and after in the same outdoor enclosure.
Not surprisingly, Musashi began chasing George at the moment they were let together. He was screaming at George during his chase. George was surprised. He was screaming and running away. They acted like toddlers. They made us laugh.
Musashi sat down and took some rest as he quickly got out of breath.
Musashi kept taking breaks in between chases. He still did not give up going after George. George remained alert and slowly gained ground.
Finally George fed up with Musashi's effort to catch him. He had no other option than to retaliate. George quickly wrestled and pinned Musashi to the ground and gnawed hard into his back. George made his point acting confident - as if he would say "I had it...I will not put up with this any more!" Later, whenever George approached Musashi, Musashi avoided George and often ran away.
Musashi suffered several similar punishments from George before he finally admitted his defeat and started panting to George.
George only warned Musashi by overpowering him - he actually wanted to play with Musashi. So George then initiated some play and began tickling Musashi. Musashi was also relieved and we could hear the sound of their laughs during play-wrestling.
We could finally see Musashi's smiling face!
He might be still somewhat fearful; he is often gaping with his mouth wide open during close interactions with George.
Finally Musashi played with another chimpanzee. Musashi is planned to be with George, same as today, on several occasions for a while. We hope Musashi will become George's friend soon.
2012.07.02 Day 49
Candy has been getting used to the outdoor enclosure and now can climb up to bed and platforms elevated above ground. When she became more familiar with her environment and was more relaxed she was encouraged to meet with Black, Sakura and Chiko. She met them all separately through mesh and in different rooms connected by walkways and tunnels.
She bit Black's finger gently. She touched Sakura's sexual skin and head. They all showed good intentions and interacted nicely.
キャンディーとブラック(06/21)
キャンディーとサクラ(06/29)
2012.07.03 Day 50
Black is a 41 years old gentleman, who is much trusted by KS staff. He has been the alpha male taking the leadership of a females' group for a long period of time.

Black was let together with Candy in the outdoor enclosure today. At the moment she has spotted him, she embraced him. They walked hand in hand. They were side by side and ate sugarcanes together. They embraced tightly and kissed each other. They looked like two lovebirds! It may be Candy's first love; our hearts also beat faster.
寄り添ってサトウキビをほおばる
幸せそうなキャンディー
熱い抱擁
During the same period of time Musashi met another chimpanzee.
Musashi and George were let together in the outdoor enclosure first, and then Shirou was let out to join them. This was the first time that Musashi and Shirou were together.

Musashi seemed to be scared of Shirou; he asked George for help.
George kissed Musashi. It made the socially inexperienced and insecure Musashi immediately acting confident. George's kiss meant reassurance and support to him. So Musashi, after George kissed him, he suddenly attacked Shirou as if Shirou was an "enemy" of both George and him. It made George angry and he began desperately chasing Musashi and stop him. After all, Shirou and George are friends!
George reacted like that for two reasons: #1: George and Shirou are friends. #2: Before Shirou was let in, Musashi kept chasing George off to get all scattered snacks, bananas and pineapples to himself. George withdrew himself then, but when his friend appeared he regained his confidence that blew the fuse. George chased Musashi up into the corner of the roof. By then Musashi was so scared, he screamed.

A bit later Shirou came and calmed Musashi down. Musashi embraced him again and again and asked for help because he was still very scared. Anyway, Musashi could have gained an additional friend.

Musashi was very scared of George, so he won't approach him again today. We plan to repair their relationship tomorrow. Sometimes delicious fruits can trigger a fight, so we better not offering them during introductions.
ジョージに助けを求めるムサシ、手前がシロウ
シロウを攻撃するムサシ
追い詰められたムサシ
ムサシを宥めに行くシロウ
シロウに抱きつくムサシ
2012.07.04 Day 51
Candy and Black were let together again today. They were very friendly with each other. They walked hand in hand and groomed each other for a long time. She got angry with me(Dr. Udono) when I touched Black. She might be jealous. We are getting worried a little what she will do when they are together with another female chimpanzee.
In order to repair relationship between Musashi and George, we let them together again today. At first Musashi was scared of George so he won't approach him, however, at the moment he spotted Shirou through the mesh, Musashi asked for George's help and then played wrestle with him. Shirou was let in with them and Musashi played with him. It was a peaceful day today.
手をつないで歩く二人
ムサシに抱きつくジョージ
2012.07.04 - 05 Day 51-52
Candy and Black were let together again today. They were still friendly but less romantic than yesterday. They groomed each other and stayed apart. At the same time Candy met Sakura through the mesh wall. Sakura was friendly, but Candy began attacking at the moment she saw her. Candy's behavior kept Sakura away from the mesh wall. Sakura is sensitive, and we are afraid that she will be scared so much that she would not even go out into the outdoor enclosure any more. So we changed the plan, and Candy was let together first with Chiko and then next with Sakura on 6 July. They had some fights at the mesh but they also offered friendly gestures to one another.
手をつないで(07/04)
2012.07.10 Day 57
Candy, Black and Chiko were let together in the outdoor enclosure today.
Chiko is a 22 years old female chimpanzee. However she had been raised by humans but she has worldly wisdom and can use many gestures properly.
We think It will be hard for Candy (who is in love with Black) to be friendly with other females. So Candy met Sakura through the mesh wall many times, however, Candy remained passive and did not offer any friendly gesture to Chiko. Candy's facial expression indicated that she was nervous whilst she kept glancing at Sakura again and again. Suddenly she punched her and pulled her leg. Black broke up the ladies' fight at once, separating them by a bluff display. He also slapped Candy. Black's intervention made Candy even more angry. She chased Chiko. Black stopped their fight again and flipped Candy onto her back. This was not at all acceptable for Candy! She screamed her head off and began chasing Black with anger. She chased him around the enclosure at least 5 or 6 times. Finally Black gave up and started screaming, as if he would say "Sorry, it was all my fault, please forgive me!" They embraced each other at once. She was exhausted and could not run any more. She laid flat on her back and had a hard time breathing. Candy and Chiko still kept away from each other. They will repair their relationship at another time.

Multi-male-multi-female groups are natural to chimpanzees' life style. Candy will relate with her mates and though sometimes she fights them, she will learn from these interactions. She will also learn about the hierarchy and her future position in her group.
写真1:無愛想なチコ(右)に戸惑うキャンディー(左)
写真2:間に割って入るブラック(背中)、手前がチコ
写真3:チコ(手前)を追いかけ回すキャンディー(奥)
写真4:ブラックにひっくり返されるキャンディー
写真5:息が上がり倒れ込んだキャンディー
2012.07.17 Day 64
Balantidium coli was detected in Musashi's feces. We needed to take measures against the infection. This is the reason why this report has been delayed. Sorry for the late posting! Though it is of low pathogenicity, slightly contagious, we want to continue preventing further infection. Balantadium coli has been eradicated from the KS chimpanzee colony 28 years ago and we kept them free of this protozoa ever since. Since the protozoan was detected we have not let Musashi together with any other chimpanzee to prevent additional infection. We performed scatoscopy several times for every chimpanzee who had contact with Musashi. Fortunately, all results are negative. We have administered proper doses of medicine to Musashi and will keep him under strict surveillance over time. Musashi, while suddenly separated from his conspecifics, can safely relax a bit and get well. He might be tired of getting nervous daily in his new life.
2012.07.18-19 Day 65-66
Candy was let together with other chimpanzees again on July 18th.
An incident happened today. We had opened the door between them too widely.
Chiko jumped into the outdoor enclosure and surprised Candy. They had a fight. Black took the mediator role, so they got calm.
Candy and Chiko quickly improved their relationship after the fight. They kept following one another calmly and inspected each other's rump. They were much more relaxed afterwards.
Candy, Chiko and Black got along better today than yesterday. Chiko and Black groomed Candy.
キャンディ&チコお久しぶりです!(7/18)
キャンディ&ブラックの遊び(7/19)
キャンディへのチコ、ブラックのグルーミング(7/19)
2012.07.20, 22 Day 67 & 69
Candy got along well with Black, but Candy and Chiko didn't touch each other yet.
When Candy met Chiko through the mesh wall, Candy got closer to Chiko but Chiko didn't. When they were let together they have started a fight. Black mediated between them. Black was clearly trying to make peace between the females but he was more supportive to Chiko due to her swollen sexual skin. After a while Candy moved her face closer and closer to Chiko's chest panting, thus initiating reconciliation.
Candy didn't get closer to Chiko. Yesterday's incident might have affected Candy's behavior.
キャンディへのグルーミング(7/20)
2012.07.25 Day 72
Sakura's sexual skin got bigger. Her mood got better with her swelling growing and made her good-humored. So, she was let together with Candy and Black. They touched each other when they met at the mesh wall. Shortly, they were let together in the outdoor enclosure. They kept following one another and soon embraced calmly. From that point on they got along well.
キャンディ&サクラ&ブラック(7/25)
キャンディ&サクラ&ブラック行進(7/25)
キャンディ&サクラ(7/25)
2012.07.29-31 Day 76-78
Candy's sexual skin became swollen. This happened for the first time since she came to KS. When she and Black was together on 29th July, she accepted his offer. She presented her rump to Black. He mounted her. This was a nice surprise to us. She could accept a male while behaving normal, even after 30 years of total isolation from conspecifics.
キャンディ、ブラック、サクラ、チコ闘争(7/30)
キャンディ、ブラック交尾-誘い(7/30)
キャンディ、ブラック交尾-プレゼンティング(7/30)
キャンディ、ブラック交尾-交尾(7/30)
キャンディ、ブラック交尾(7/30)
キャンディ・ブラック・サクラ・チコ(7/31)
2012.08.01 Day 79
We had administered proper doses of medicine to Musashi since Balantidium coli was detected in his feces. Balantidium coli has disappeared after the treatment. We have decided to continue with his introduction to others.

He often ended up chasing his newly introduced mates, simply because he was scared of them but then ended up screaming when they retaliated. Same sequence repeated again when he was let together with Shirou today. At first Musashi was friendly to Shirou but soon he began chasing him around. Shirou had no other option than to retaliate. He bit into Musashi's arm gently. Musashi lost. He stopped chasing. Musashi acted awkward for a while. Shirou came closer to him, they embraced each other and repaired the relationship. Shortly, they began playing. Although Musashi remained somewhat scared even after the reconciliation, he seemed to be really relieved today. We felt satisfied with his smile!
ムキになってシロウを追うムサシ
抱き合って仲直り
シロウの手を引っ張る
シロウとレスリング
シロウのサトウキビを取り上げる
シロウをひっぱたく
ショウボウとシロウ(7/23)
2012.08.07 Day 85
Musashi got along well with Shirou today. George was let together with them again. Although we expected that Musashi was already familiar with him, Musashi began chasing George. He was screaming at him during his chase. An unusual incident happened today. Musashi made numerous eye contact with Shirou while chasing George, then went to embrace Shirou. Musashi's friendly contact behavior with Shirou meant that Musashi respects Shirou. This also meant that he wanted Shirou's help (support) against George. Unfortunately - bad for George - Shirou accepted Musashi' invitation and then after they embraced again, they both chased George! In the battle when both caught up with George, Shirou bit George at the end. George, who was completely innocent in this situation, suffered to lose part of his fingernail of his left index finger. Later George kept coming and staying closer to the other two - initiating reconciliation - after they all calmed down.

A "make no sense fight" like this sometimes happens in chimpanzees' society. Shirou agreed to support Musashi. They formed alliances.That was the only reason Shirou chased George. Musashi, with the help of Shirou had a chance to share victory over George! This was a memorable day! Musashi proved that his chimpanzee-spirit is alive! He, though with major help form Shirou "won" a fight for the first time.
シロウ(右)に挨拶するムサシ(左)
抱き合って仲直り
ムサシを宥めるシロウ
ムサシが振り返りシロウに援助を求める
右から逃げるジョージ、追うシロウ、ムサシ
ムサシに挨拶するジョージ
2012.08.23-24 Day 101-102
Candy has been getting well along with Black, Sakura and Chiko now. Candy has also already met Niko, Haruna and Oumu through the mesh wall. These mature ladies are now also Candy's new mates. They all born in the wild. They can't help but they do not easily tolerate unfamiliar new mates like Candy. Not much more than "strange" chimpanzees like those, that were raised by humans. They were/are not very friendly with Candy.
Oumu is 36 years old. She is a small female chimpanzee. Her front teeth are almost missing. So Oumu was let together with Candy today because we had predicted that Oumu couldn't injure Candy severely. When Oumu and Candy met, Oumu chased Candy in the enclosure, however, Candy quickly offered her friendship with clear gestures. They inspected each other's rumps for reconciliation. Now, Candy is getting along well with four other chimpanzees.
8/23オウムに追われるキャンディ
8/23挨拶に行くキャンディ
8/23キャンディがお尻を見せて仲直り
8/23互いにお尻のチェック
8/23オウムについて歩くキャンディ
8/24後姿のチコを含めた5ショット
2012.09.06 Day 115
Candy was recently introduced to a new outdoor enclosure, due to an upcoming construction at our facility. Her new outdoor enclosure is twice as wide as her old outdoor enclosure, and it is also higher by 2 meters. To our surprise, Candy climbed the new 7 meter high fence at once without a slightest hesitation!

Candy is now exposed to 17 new friends in a line. She will have four group mates living with her in the same enclosure; eight other Chimpanzees next door on her right led by Hope, and another five-member group led by Konan in the far-right enclosure. We thought that Candy suddenly might become scared of so many other Chimpanzees around but in the other hand she might not be surprised at all! Rather, she will enjoy interacting with a variety of new characters in other groups. Soon we will find out!
09/07 新しい運動場
09/07 隣を眺めるキャンディ
2012.10.09 Day 148
One month has passed since Candy was introduced to a new outdoor enclosure. She and Oumu are getting more and more relaxed and friendly with each other. Oumu sometimes waits for her until she comes into the indoor enclosure, and then they greet each other with embrace.
10/06 チコとグルーミング
10/06 オウム、チコとともに
2012.10.11 Day 150
When Candy became more familiar with her new friends she was encouraged to go out into a new outdoor enclosure which has a 15-m high climbing structure. At the beginning of the day today, she was let out there by herself. We wanted to avoid all unanticipated accidents. Candy was scared in this unfamiliar environment. She rushed to the upper platform when KS staff closed the door. Afterward, she calmed down and slowly climbed up halfway into the climbing structure.

There is a pond, shaped like a canal with live fish swimming in this outdoor enclosure, an additional feature that Candy encountered. First she looked closely at the surface of the slow-flowing water, then drank some of it. She landed her hands on the opposite shore of the canal, and she stayed in that position for a while as if she was pondering whether she could leap it. Then she jumped over the canal carefully and rather fast. Candy recognized well that sinking into water was dangerous; perhaps she still remembers of her early years spent in the wild.
10/11 タワーデビュー
10/11 水を飲むキャンディ
10/11 池を渡るキャンディ その1
10/11 池を渡るキャンディ その2
2012.10.20 Day 159
We throw several seasonal parties and feed anniversary dinners at Kumamoto Sanctuary. We threw Halloween party today too. Candy has joined this event also for the first time. To our surprise, Candy was not scared of the setup of this special, very decorative looking meal-event! In the contrary she joined others with no hesitation and was feeding on pears and apples freely with them. Though Candy collected her fruit freely, she often kept a distance (berth) from others feeding more close to one another.
10/20 ハロウィンパーティー
10/20 ハロウィンパーティー
10/20 ハロウィンパーティー
2012.11.08 Day 178 連結ケージにデビュー
連結ケージにキャンディがデビューしました。扉が開くとすぐにブラックに続いて連結ケージに入り、途中からは先頭になって目標の中間点まで行くことができました。この物怖じしないキャンディも、帰りの急坂はさすがに怖いようで慎重に降りて行きました。 (文:寺本研)
11/08 連結ケージデビュー: 行きはよいよい
11/08 連結ケージデビュー: 先頭
11/08 連結ケージデビュー: 帰りは恐い
2012.11.16 Day 186 誕生日おめでとう
キャンディのKSに来て初めての誕生会を行いました。以前みんなで食事した時は、食べ物を取って離れたところで食べていましたが、今回は主役なのが分かったのか(?)他の個体が出てきても中央で堂々と食べていました。玄米はお気に召さなかったようですが、みんなでケーキを食べてしまいました。30歳、おめでとう。 (文:寺本研)
11/16 誕生会: おめでとう
11/16 誕生会: 玄米はきらい
11/16 誕生会: 主役です
">2012.11.27 Day 197
群れの状態が安定してきたので、これまで夜間だけは違う部屋で寝ていたキャンディもみんなと同じ部屋で寝るようになりました。離れた場所にいるのかと思ったら、寝る前も他の個体のそばに居ることが多いようです。 (文:寺本研)
11/16 誕生会: おめでとう
11/16 誕生会: 玄米はきらい
11/16 誕生会: 主役です
  • News
  • On May 15th 2012 three chimpanzees have been transferred to Kumamoto Sanctuary.
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