Subways and Silverbacks

        
          The first week of my great ape internship has commenced! After figuring out a very intimidating bus/metro subway route I finally feel confident in and much appreciative of the public transportation that gets me to and from my internship in D.C.. I still have a never ending list of things to learn and become acquainted with but I have packed so much information into my skull this week its incredible. After getting my ID picture taken, finger prints scanned and filling out mounds of paperwork I was put on as a keepers aide with the Gorillas for the next two days. I spent my time with the gorillas behind the scenes, cleaning their enclosures, preparing their enrichment, chopping up browse (bamboo, sycamore etc;), and laying out their breakfast and dinner.
          Although I am now trained to assist the keepers when they need some extra help, it is rumored that between the R & R research (regurgitation & reingestation), data entry, and O-line monitoring I will have no time for extra duties. The Orangutan Transport System, or O Line, consists of eight 50-foot-high towers connected by plastic-coated, steel cables which gives the Orangs freedom of movement and choice of where they would prefer to spend their time at the zoo.
         My favorite part of each day was spent observing the gorillas with my fellow researchers in the afternoon. I assumed that my time spent studying the gorillas names and faces before the internship would put me ahead of the game when it came to identification, howver it can be quite difficult to tell Mandara from Kigali or Kojo from Kwame when all you have is a large black back or slightly reddish back to look at. Regardless I am feeling more confident with each day spent with the gorillas that I will not only be able to pick out the individuals but I will be able to accurately record all instances of R & R even when all that is seen as an awkward movement of the head and chewing.
       Next week I am getting started with Orangutan husbandry, at the end of the week I will get my feet wet with observations with the gorillas for 90 minute sessions. At the end of my sessions I will compare notes with my fellow intern and if all data aligns I will be starting full time with observations the following week. I am thankful to spend this introductory time getting to know the animals, their personalities and their schedules but I am so eager to begin research!
      Another blessing has been the amazing personalities that I get to work with, the conversations that we have during lunch time make me feel like I've been plucked out of reality and into a parallel universe where all that we talk about is on the topic of conservation, wildlife, or primate behavior. I have without question found my niche at the Smithsonian Zoo and I hold nothing but the utmost excitement for my future weeks spent with some very worthwhile human and nonhuman primates :)

Here is the groups largest 375 lb silverback gorilla named Baraka (which means blessing of light).     Baraka was born at the Zoo in April 1992. Despite his laid-back personality, still commands respect from all of his groupmates and maintains a good balance of keeping the gorillas in line. His large head has a pronounced crest, and like all adult males he has a saddle of silver hair covering his back. Baraka is often centrally located in the group, and likes to maintain a position where he can see and keep tabs on all of the other gorillas.

New Beginnings

    
          After all of the planning, packing, cleaning, and tearful goodbye's we have finally arrived to our new home for the next 6+ months. The apartment is better than anything we had imagined- we have so much room for activities now that we don't have furniture to clutter up our living room ;) It's interesting adjusting to life without cable, internet access (we frequent the buisiness center where internet is provided), microwaves, couches, tables or chairs. It's sort of fun seeing what we are able to live without - liberating is the word I am looking for.
             I will have orientation at the zoo this Thursday where after filling out piles of paper work I will be shown around the unit I will be interning in which consists of the Ape House (gorillas and orangutans), Think Tank (orangutans, Sulawesi macaque, and mangabey), Gibbon Ridge (white-cheeked gibbons and siamangs) and Lemur Island (ring-tailed lemurs and red-fronted lemurs). The Think Tank looks at cognition in three areas: tools, language, and society. I watched a youtube video of the Orangs playing a memory game in the Think Tank where they are shown images on the screen and will tap the images to confirm that it has been seen. Then they are presented with a pool of many images and need to recall and select via tapping only the images they were shown. The exhibit goals are to educate visitors about the field and the scientific process, and to build a conservation ethic through the understanding of animals as complex cognitive beings. I am SO excited to watch my first Think Tank demonstration- I am sure it will be a moment I never forget!
           To be quite honest I am just as nervous as I am excited for this internship to begin. Being the "new girl" can be trying especially when you are hundreds of miles away from everything you've ever known. But hey, how could we ever evolve as individuals if life did not present with obstacles. The nerves will wear off but my fufilliment from time spent at the Smithsonian Zoo will not.

Iris was born at the Zoo on April 15, 1987, and was named after IRS (Internal Revenue Service) because of her birth date.

Iris is a very charismatic orangutan who can be quite silly and playful, but also quite stubborn at times, especially when asked to come inside. She is the star of several research programs and loves to participate in our daily research demonstrations at Think Tank. Iris has been instrumental in developing new training procedures and goals because of how quick and eager she is to learn new things. Some of her favorite activities include playing in boxes or under sheets, and painting.