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http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/feb/15/all-in-the-chimp-family/

7-month-old chimpanzee George gets an introduction to his father (with
picture and video)

By Amy McRary
Sunday, February 15, 2009

A family of three sat at the Knoxville Zoo's Chimp Ridge habitat last week.

Chimpanzees Jimbo and Daisy groomed each another, an act as much about
social interaction as skin care. Between them sat their almost
7-month-old son George.

Daisy, 32, and Jimbo, 30, came to Knoxville from other zoos through
the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan. The hope
was that the pair would become parents. Their son is the first chimp
born at the zoo in 20 years.

Zoo visitors last week probably saw the trio as a tranquil domestic
scene. But it was actually an important step in George's development -
introducing him to his father - and putting the chimp troupe back
together again.

Jimbo and the other adult male chimp Lu haven't lived with Daisy or
female apes Debbie and Julie since before George's July 19 birth. So
this month, zookeepers moved first Lu and then Jimbo in with the
females and George.

No one was sure what to expect. Neither male has lived with a baby,
and chimps can quickly start sometimes violent fights.

When Lu was introduced, he first seemed not to notice George. But
George, who may weigh between 5 and 10 pounds, noticed Lu.

The infant barked once at his elder to warn the bigger animal to stay
away. But within 90 minutes, the affable Lu tried to befriend George.
Bobbing his head and entire body up and down, Lu watched George as the
infant nestled beside Daisy. Lu waved his long arms, grabbing Daisy's
hands so she would bob with him.

Minutes later Lu stretched across the exhibit floor. George reached
over to put his mouth on Lu's face, exploring this new creature in a
way that primate babies do. When Daisy picked up her son to carry him
to another exhibit den, a playful Lu followed to sit near them.

Jimbo's introduction to his son has been slower and partly affected by
a handful of fights, in which the females ganged up on him and Lu came
to his rescue.

Daisy took part in the battles, with George holding fast to her. The
fights aren't about George, but they are the females' way of
dominating Jimbo, said Lisa New, the zoo animal collections director
for mammals and birds.

Before Jimbo and Daisy began sitting to groom each other, Jimbo's only
contacts with his son were brief. Their closest encounter was
initiated by George. As Jimbo sat with his back to other chimps,
George crawled toward him.

The youngster briefly put his mouth on Jimbo's hair. Never turning or
acting as if he knew the baby was near, Jimbo walked away.

Both Jimbo and Lu recognize that George is a baby and are respectful
of mother Daisy, New said. But Lu wants to play. He has waved a
blanket, rustled paper and wagged his fingers to get George's
attention. "George still doesn't know quite what to make of him," New
said.

The zoo is home to three more female chimps who arrived last year from
the Cleveland, Ohio, Zoo. New said they will be integrated into
George's group later this year.

For now, George is the somewhat spoiled focus for his mother and
"aunties" Debbie and Julie. Julie and Daisy, sometimes past
adversaries, now play. If Daisy steps away from George, Debbie often
sits protectively beside him.

"Debbie loves babies," New said. "I doubt seriously if that animal
(George) will ever do wrong in her eyes."


SIDEBAR: Some chimp signals

Submission: A chimp bobs its head, bending its body low to the ground.

Fear: A chimp grins to show all its teeth. Chimps in commercials often
are showing a fear grin, said Knoxville Zoo's Lisa New.

Play face: With their mouths open and bottom teeth exposed, chimps want to 
play.

Bark: Somewhat like a dog's, this aggressive statement warns others to
stay away.

Alarm call: A high-pitched sound that signals something different or 
dangerous.

Hoot: The hoot that rises to a crescendo can be an excited form of
chimp greeting.

- Amy McRary