by
Elizabeth Vinson Lonsdorf: Flirt is Fifi's eighth child
and was born in the summer of 1998. She was a huge baby, even
at birth, and grew at an astonishing rate. Her size is especially
magnified when she is around Gremlin's twins, who are the same
age, but very small. With her huge size comes an even bigger
personality! She is a very rough and tumble little chimp and
has no problem holding her own when playing with her older brother
Ferdinand or any of the other young chimps. One particular behavior
was very telling of Flirt's personality. While other young chimps
will ride on their mothers' backs in a crouched over, jockey-like
position, Flirt often stood when they traveled and stomped her
feet on Fifi's back - like she was ready to take on the world.
Emily writes:
Unfortunately, when Fifi disappeared from Gombe in 2004 (Jane
Goodall press release), Flirt was left to make it on her
own without her mother. A testament to her strength, Flirt,
nearly seven, has survived, often traveling with her brothers,
and she continues to be closely observed by researchers.
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