Jacky's Legacy
Jun 24, 2009
For almost nine years, our beloved elder Jacky has been the undisputed alpha male of Sanaga-Yong Center’s largest group
Jacky surrounded with family. |
Jacky and Nama embracing. | of 25 chimpanzees. He had lived alone in a small cage at a hotel for over three decades before his rescue by IDA-Africa. Love and support from adult females in his group, especially small but brave Nama, helped his innate leadership abilities surface and blossom. As alpha male, Jacky has been respected and beloved, keeping the peace with his gentle yet undisputed authority. Jacky’s strict oversight has assured everyone's safety. If a juvenile, including Bouboule when he was younger, ever began playing too rough with a baby or a dispute arose, a brief vocal reprimand from Jacky has always been enough to change the behavior; he has rarely had to resort to physical discipline.
About a year ago, the social order began to change as Jacky has come increasingly under challenge by larger young-adult Bouboule, adopted son of dear Dorothy, who died in September. Bouboule’s early attempts to gain power left him screaming in the forest as the other chimpanzees’ unequivocal support of Jacky momentarily isolated him. After every loud confrontation, Bouboule soon initiated reconciliation with Jacky and calm was restored, but the next challenge was never more than a few days away. Although Jacky prevailed, he was frequently nursing painful wounds at the end of the challenges.
Bouboule’s persistence has gradually found Jacky more reluctant to fight and the other chimpanzees less ready to engage on his behalf. Their love and support of Jacky is obvious, but everyone has become increasingly afraid of Bouboule. Only lion-hearted Nama, who is half the size of Bouboule, has seemed to have no fear. Her sheer courage often gave her a psychological edge over Bouboule and with her at his side, Jacky has held his ground.
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Nama grooming Bouboule, their size difference
remarkable (top). Bouboule grooming Jacky as
Manni looks on (r).
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About two months ago, Bouboule’s heart-wrenching direct challenge and defeat of Nama seemed to be a turning point. Jacky had been on the other side of the forest enclosure during the confrontation and although he could surely hear Nama’s cries for help, he only came to comfort her after she had accepted defeat. Nama was not physically injured, but psychologically she was knocked down.
Today, the battles are infrequent; the last was several weeks ago. The current social order reflects a sharing of authority by Jacky and Bouboule. Jacky still disciplines misbehaving juveniles and clearly has the respect and love of the group, while Bouboule’s physical displays instill fear in everyone and he gets first choice of food. Both Jacky and Bouboule are frequent beneficiaries of grooming and both have favorite females whom they accompany, especially during monthly ovulation. We can’t know for how long this power-sharing arrangement will continue.
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Jacky
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Bouboule
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Bouboule was rescued and brought to Sanaga-Yong Center in early 2000 as an emotionally frail, insecure two year old orphan. In 2002, he was adopted by Dorothy, a life-changing relationship for both. Dorothy gave Bouboule security and confidence, and she loved and protected him until her death. He has grown to be a magnificent chimpanzee with a strong drive to be leader (to read Dorothy and Bouboule's adoption story click here).
As Bouboule and Jacky's roles continue to evolve and other males mature to adulthood, the dynamics in this family group will continue to change. Nama and Jacky have each overcome the loss of their mothers and the severe isolation and deprivation of their captivity, to become strong, nurturing leaders. Nama has been a steadfast, devoted partner to Jacky, helping him rise to alpha, endure blindness and surgery, and regain his role again at the head of his family. Jacky's leadership has helped the orphans who are now a family, including Bouboule, develop the sort of social and emotional foundation that they'd have experienced had they not been robbed of the chance to live in the wild. With time, a new alpha male will rise, as is natural in chimpanzee families, to lead this magnificent group of chimpanzees. Bouboule is clearly in position for this role.
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