by Elizabeth Vinson Lonsdorf: In the summer of 1998, human
observers were shocked to see Gremlin with not one, but TWO
newborn infants - twins!!! The Gombe staff soon discovered that
they were both female and Jane named them Golden and Glitter.
Twins are very rare in nature; Golden and Glitter are only the
third set ever born at Gombe. None of the previous sets have
had both twins survive to adulthood. In fact, one of the other
sets of twins were born to Gremlin's mother, Melissa. Only one
survived, Gremlin's brother Gimble. His twin died within their
first year; as Gimble became bigger and stronger, his twin eventually
just got sickly and died. However, we have great hope for Golden
and Glitter. They have made it past the critical 1st, 2nd and
3rd birthdays, are equal in size and strength and both seem
to be very healthy. Although they are twins, they have quite
different personalities. Glitter is shy, stays closer to her
mother and watches everything very carefully. Goldie is much
more rough and tumble and willing to go off exploring on her
own. Some of my favorite moments at Gombe have been watching
these two grow up!
Michael
Wilson writes:
Golden and Glitter have now been setting off on their own, nesting
without their mother Gremlin or even their big sister Gaia.
It is amazing that these little girls, before they were even
six years old, began going on their own. Gremlin, who was busy
with her new baby boy, Gimli, appeared unconcerned by the twins'
new independence.
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