PREPARATIONS/ANIMAL MOVES/LOGISTICS
Thursday, Dec. 5th
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Locate all the parts/hardware to both sets of 3.1 bars.
Hang a tarp between A/Aux management areas as a visual barrier.
Friday, Dec. 6th
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Shift Kwan’s troop/Susie down & up per usual. Make sure Susie is locked in the howdy.
Shift Bachelor’s down & up per usual.
Feed Hank’s group out through the mesh/chow feeders. Skip cleaning/shifting altogether.
Shift Cookie & Magadi down & up per usual and set them up in the dayroom with enough bedding for 2
days + the bread tray feeders.
Set up 3.1 bars above the East A chute and Aux inner chute to create a clear pathway for Vicky/Kibali’s
shift from the C6 via the upper chute, into the subway, and into Aux holding, while providing 2 barriers
between them and Susie in the howdy, as well as Cookie/Magadi in the dayroom.
Set up Aux 1 with Vicky/Kibali’s diet/bedding/enrichment and try to shift them all the way over at least
into Aux 1 & Aux 2.
Once secured, set up the trap door in Aux 3. Vicky & Kibali can then have access to all three cages Aux 13.
Remove the 3.1 bars from the East chute to A.
Saturday, Dec. 7th
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Shift and clean Vicky/Kibali in Aux 1-3 holding.
Skip cleaning Cookie/Magadi and feed them out in bread tray enrichment devices.
Remove the 3.1 bars from the top of the inner chute and place them in the middle of the Aux subway.
Shift Hank’s group into C holding for servicing their dayroom. We will go back to using the black/white
protocol (clicker cue, 30 second rule, etc.).
Sunday, Dec. 8th
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While cleaning Vicky/Kibali in holding, lock them out of Aux 3 so you can take down the trap door. They
can have Aux 3 back afterwards.
Skip cleaning Cookie/Magadi and feed them out in bread tray enrichment devices.
Hank’s group resumes regular shifting to holding each day…
Prepare mega-intro-enrichment
Set up camera system for remote monitoring and video recording of Aux dayroom
Set up partitions in FC hallway to limit views into Aux dayroom
Monday, Dec. 9th
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7-10 am Herbie will come with the propane heater to raise the temps in the Aux yard. Prior to intros, the
heater will be removed completely from the bobcat door vestibule.
Send out email to limit foot traffic around Aux, including the bleachers and the back doors.
Shift Vicky/Kibali into Aux 3 only (need to develop a plan to make this work!)
Lock 1/2 and 2/3 to create the Aux 2 buffer.
VISUAL INTRODUCTION – Aux Holding
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Shift Cookie/Magadi via the inner chute into Aux 1 only. Maureen will be a passive observer for
the duration of this VISUAL INTRODUCTION (30-45 minutes).
Keeper staff will mobilize to set up the Aux dayroom only with mega-enrichment (but no sticks!)
and bedding, test the dayroom/yard doors, and lock off the cog cube.
Place a C02 extinguisher by the back door (for yard emergencies) and in Aux/A management (for
dayroom emergencies)
PHYSICAL INTRODUCTION – Aux Dayroom
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Simultaneously, shift Cookie/Magadi to dayroom via inner chute, Vicky/Kibali to yard; secure in
respective spaces – one keeper to stay in holding on stand-by if emergency separation is
warranted. Maureen will make the call when that person can leave the area.
As soon as there is recognition from both chimp dyads (visually through the window)
simultaneously open both east & west dayroom doors (1 keeper per shift wheel).
Depending on the temperatures holding in Aux yard, the run-around with dayroom/yard doors
will kept open for the first 30-60 minutes depending on the social dynamics, and closed
opportunistically when the social climate is appropriate. Maureen will make this call.
One keeper to stays as a passive observer stationed at the shift wheels (for emergency
intervention during the first ~15 minutes), the other keeper walks away completely. Maureen
will make the call when that person should step away.
One keeper to stay in A/Aux management out of view (for emergency intervention during the
first ~15 minutes). Maureen will make the call when that person will step away.
All other personnel to monitor introduction remotely via camera system.
Knowing that these chimps may seek reassurance/interact with Animal Care staff important
to move keepers away from shift doors as soon as we feel it is safe to do so. Maureen will
make this call for the 2 keepers stationed on shift wheels when they should walk away.
Remote Monitor throughout the day. Maureen and Dominic will discuss the need for a late
observer in the early afternoon.
If a the need were to arise, we could resort to a fission/fusion model to separate out pairs
overnight if we felt it was necessary; one pair dayroom, the other in holding. Strict criteria for
separating individuals discussed below.
INTRODUCTION PARAMETERS – staff roles, emergency response, criteria for intervention
A/Aux management will be under strict “no foot traffic” restrictions for the first 7-14 days postintroductions. A curtain has been set up to block visual access in between A/Aux dayrooms. Staff
reporting to the A dayroom to station-feed Kwan’s troop during Nayembi feeds must enter via the FC
hallway door, and immediately go behind the curtain towards A management. A stairwell will be off
limits until restrictions are lifted by the curator.
Our goal as staff is to intervene as little as possible so the chimps can “work it out amongst themselves.”
We should refrain from all interactions with our chimpanzees (especially in moments where they are
seeking our reassurance) and minimize our visual proximity to them.
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CO2 extinguishers and/or hosing will only be used as a last resort, i.e.- if animals must shift and
are uncooperative amidst a life-threatening emergency
The introduction may be immediately stopped for:
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Severe injuries that impede locomotion, loss of limb function, severe gaping wounds with
bone(s) exposed, severe blood loss, compromised state of consciousness
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Other issues can include physical exhaustion to the point they cannot actively defend
themselves or no longer able to retreat while being persistently pursued.
Less severe injuries/issues may warrant discussion of whether or not to continue introduction.
Injuries/situations including:
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Extreme fatigue or severe loss of appetite
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Relentless pursuit of an individual such that individual can’t eat, sleep, etc.
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Mental shutdown (non-responsiveness, none/little food/water consumption). Will confer with
veterinarians, as these situations may be treated differently on a case by case basis
We will maintain remote observations even for injury evaluation, using cameras, etc. to assess
condition. Only during extreme circumstances, only key personnel (vet, curator, primary trainer) will be
present to assess animal
WOUND MANAGEMENT
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For lacerations, abrasions, etc. in areas that the animal can reasonably access
themselves, no treatment is required. Just daily assessment by keeper and vet staff
(note: photos/video can be sent to vets staff if we feel their presence could compromise
the chimp social dynamic). Chimpanzees do a very good job at cleaning these type of
injuries by licking and grooming the areas. Most heal relatively fast. Application of
cleansing fluids through training are also options but not proven to be any more
effective than just letting the gorillas heal themselves.
For lacerations, abrasions, etc. that are in hard to lick or groom areas, on the bottom of
their feet that stay dirtier, canine puncture wounds that quickly seal over before healing
properly inside, more cleansing by keepers can be an option depending on the animals
tolerance. Antibiotics can also be provided.
Depth of the laceration can also require antibiotics as it will take longer for the wound
to close but generally does not warrant sutures to heal. Additionally, closure of a bite
wound is generally contraindicated.
Obvious extreme injuries like broken bones, lacerations that dramatically interfere with
locomotion at a joint or are in vital areas, may require anesthesia for further assessment
and treatment.
Pain and anti-inflammatory drugs may also be prescribed to aid in the healing process.
The need for this can be hard to deduce as chimpanzees, like most wild species, will
internalize pain to protect themselves from aggressions from others.
Keeper staff will make use of the Daily Keeper Report (TRACKS) to provide daily updates
on all wounds, and notify the Curator/ZM/Vet on Duty verbally if any concerns arise.