by Elizabeth Vinson Lonsdorf: What strikes me about Gremlin,
year after year, is her infinite patience with her children.
Twins are a huge burden for chimpanzee mothers and rarely survive.
The fact that Gremlin's twins have done so well is a testament
to her skill as a mother. I remember following her one day when
her eldest son, Galahad, was still alive. He was at the age
where he really wanted to spend more time with the adult males.
Gremlin had met up with a big group early in the morning, but
at about 10:00 a.m. she clearly wanted to head off and travel
with just her family. Galahad did not want to leave, so he kept
stealing one of the twins and running back toward the group
so that his mother would have to go back. She kept patiently
returning to gather the twin and setting off again on her own.
She did this about 10 times, never once punishing Galahad for
his behavior, until he finally gave up and followed his mother.
by
Joann Schumacher-Stankey:
Gremlin was born on November 19, 1970. When Gremlin was seven
years old, her middle-ranking mother Melissa gave birth to Gombe's
first set of twins in 1977. While growing up, Gremlin had a
very close relationship with her mother as they supported one
another in social contexts. Gremlin had a relatively secure
childhood, which probably resulted in her self-reliance and
independence as a child, that later led to her success into
adulthood. When Gremlin was ten years old she helped care for
her younger brother, Gimble. She carried him, gathered him close
when he was distressed, attacked other males and females in
defense, and anticipated trouble. It is no surprise today that
Gremlin is very cautious, efficient, and assured in handling
her own offspring.
Dr. Jane Goodall describes Gremlin as a wonderful mother;
she is gentle, affectionate and playful.
Gremlin has given birth to seven offspring including Gombe's
third set of twins in July 1998, and is currently one of Gombe's
most closely observed mothers. Sadly, her first two sons died
before they were full-grown. Currently Gremlin has three dependent
offspring, the twins, now nearly seven, and Gimli, Gremlin’s
son born in 2004. Researchers are able to chart the developments
of her twins in the wild and study the relationship between
them. Dr. Goodall named the females Golden and Glitter. The
twins are healthy and well cared for; Gremlin used to walk tri-pedally
to support them in travel (much like her mother did with her
set of twins). Later they traveled on her back, one in front
of the other. Their personalities are very different. Golden
is brave and particularly social, while Glitter is careful,
inventive, and curious. Gaia spends time playing and grooming
the twins and like her mother, is an avid and skillful termite
fisher.
Gremlin currently has 1 surviving adult brother in the community,
Gimble. Her older brother Goblin was alpha male of the community from
1982-1989, and later remained politically powerful, always allying himself
closely with the alpha male until his death in 2004. Younger brother
Gimble is healthy, but small for his age as a surviving twin from the
1970's.
Mike
Wilson writes:
Gimli is now active and playful, climbing on his own and roughhousing
with his big sisters. At 35, Gremlin is healthy and calm, though the
hair on her shoulders is sparse where Gimli has been clutching while
riding on her back. As always, she is a careful and attentive mother,
comforting Gimli after a fall and grooming her older daughters. The
twins play vigorously with Gimli, laughing softly and turning summersaults.
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