Research Updates!

After what seems like forever, the culmination of the social anointing project is today. Alumni and soon to be UC-Davis grad student Jay Jefferson will be presenting our findings at the 2012 Conference for the American Society of Primatologists! What started out as a cool and fun project turned into much more than that, and well...that's pretty great. Below is a link to a 3 minute video on social anointing in owl monkeys and a link to the FIU coverage on owl monkey research!

(Above: FIU showcases owl monkey research; 

Below: Owl Monkeys Socially Anointing - ASP2012)

Betsy

We can not always understand everything, and in a way that maybe goes against science I don't think we are meant to. Betsy has proven this to me recently. There is a candle that's lit next to Peanut and Betsy's enclosure - right over his grave - and every night without fail it's like watching a religious experience take place. The match is lit in the dark of the night, it flickers ever so brightly, Betsy walks over lightly, her grey eyes glaze over and she begins to anoint, except there is nothing in her hands. She likes the light, and she's enjoying the last of her time enjoying life. It reminds us, or I should say Betsy reminds me to find joy amidst life's greatest disappointments. 

In Loving Memory of Peanut

This past week we said goodbye to a dear friend, Peanut, one of our resident owl monkeys. Peanut has been around as long as I can remember and then some. One of the first enclosures I got accustomed to watching on a regular basis when I started in 2006, was his. Over the years he and Betsy have given birth to many offspring - Crunchy, Creamy, Killer - to name a few. In fact, in the preliminary stages of my current project I used behavioral data from Betsy and Peanut, seeing trends between them to inspire my work. 

Peanut, carrying Crunchy, as many a devoted owl monkey father would do.

In his absence, he has moved many of us to tears but also to recollect many joyful stories and memories we shared with him. With an amazing personality, he lived out his last 18 years here at the Conservancy with Betsy by his side after spending years in a laboratory.

I'll always remember him as a beggar of grapes, an expect urinator for marshmallows, and most importantly a monkey who inspired not only many great studies, but people. He was living proof that in small things, great hope can be found. For two years now, I've had a picture of Peanut that sits on my bookshelf. It's a captivating image, and I am always going to hold it dear to my heart. 

A memorial service was held for Peanut the week after and in the upcoming days an edible garden will be planted in his name. So Peanut may you rest in peace, you will be missed dearly - not only by myself but by everybody at the DuMond Conservancy - past and present. 

 

~ Above is a video of Betsy, Peanut, and Crunchy grooming late at night. Captured with a Bushnell Trophy Cam in late March 2012, courtesy of a very talented student, Kiara Nydam.~

An Update from the Owl Monkey Woods..

Excuse me in not keeping up with this blog in a while. It's been an insanely busy month. So I figure while I take a much needed break from studying, I'll insert a synopsis of what's been going on in the owl monkey woods!

Pinegirl & Yanni, before urine collection.

As far as urine collection, the four pairs we've been working with are certainly getting more accustomed to our operant conditioning with marshmallows. More often now I can collect urine from both male and female on the same evening, then like clockwork, they look at me longingly as if to say: "Hey human! Where is my marshmallow?!" At least, that's what I can imagine.

Connie isn't doing as bad as we previously thought. The youth program compiled data on her eating patterns and it seems they havn't changed much since Spruce was originally removed. Which is a relief, we only observe them too well I suppose. (;

Last week there was an event hosted by FIU with Sian talking about monkeys, FIU also had Mireya Mayor come give a talk as part of the QBIC program. Go FIU for getting more involved with the Conservancy, and taking an interest in Primatology!

http://news.fiu.edu/2012/03/fiu-primatologist-to-talk-monkey-business-chasing-dreams/37717

http://news.fiu.edu/2012/03/nfl-cheerleader-turned-scientist-to-give-lecture-at-fiu/37394

On a personal note, I took a day during my spring break road trip to go find the Rhesus Macaques that are free ranging along the Silver River in central Florida. Result? Mission accomplished! For seeing wild monkeys for the first time, it was beautiful. It only managed to fuel my passion even more - because they need us, they need me.

Juvenile Rhesus Macaques along the Silver River.
(Photo credit: Christian Rodriguez)

Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monkey Eat.

Food is this marvelous thing. It brings people together and inspires food sharing between owl monkeys. However, if this week has been marked by anything it would be - an aversion to food. It seems, this week, that I'm linked to one of our monkeys - linked through the stomach that is. Neither of us seem to really want to eat. I blame cortisol.

Monkey see..

I worry about Connie however. Mate changes, an injured eye, a swollen finger, and now a finicky eater. I went in today and sat in her enclosure. I watched her from inside, tried to give her a marshmallow, at one point I thought of climbing the fence - I refrained. I'm compelled by what makes her so unique, and what on earth she must be thinking. At some point, I realized she spends a lot of time at the top of her enclosure and if she won't come to her food maybe we should bring the food to her. Now its up to her if she eats. She was when I was watching her, so hopefully it continues.

...monkey do!

FIU is running another story on research at the conservancy. Which is fantastic, when it all comes together I will share the link. It's my hope for the future of our university that our association grows and fosters stronger research and learning opportunities in the future.

Did Jane Goodall Ever Cry?

I wondered the above, and even though I've read her books, I can't recall reading about tears. Maybe I overlooked it, or maybe someone told her it would be bad science. I wondered this today, as I sat and watched Connie, who is now alone again - "Did Jane Goodall ever cry during an observation?" I had to hold my tears back today. Sometimes, amidst your best efforts things still go wrong and they have. Re-pairing Connie and Spruce didn't go as well as we planned, to say the least, and we had to take him out again. I watched her today, and she almost seemed to be looking for him at the last place he was. I know there is no place for emotion in "science," but my heart is breaking. These aren't just my research subjects I watch every night, they are good friends - and it hurts to see them in such distress. I'm invested, and I care about their well being and happiness. If only they could speak.

Connie (left), and Spruce (right) - before the initial separation.

In brighter news, I saw Retsina play today! :) Which is something I hardly ever see them do, much less the adults. She was drinking water from her faucet and afterwards she'd watch the water drip down to the floor. She did this multiple times, and at one point just went over to the faucet and pressed down. It's like she was trying to understand..."where does the water go?" She'd watch it drip down, she'd stare at the floor, release, look back at the faucet and repeat the process. It made me laugh, and once again feel like I was discovering molten lava for the first time. I feel like that often though. I blame owl monkeys for being so remarkable.

According to Sian, Bob has a theory that they play with their water at night - and after what I saw Retsina do tonight - I'd say he may well be on to something! On that note, thank you Bob, for your spelling corrections to my blog! Sian did finally give them to me today - & I'm very appreciative of you taking the time to care! :)

Long lost urine...

I found myself watching monkeys last night, or lately I should say and when they urinate the thought that goes through my head is always along the lines of: "Nooo! Long lost urine! You could've been mine!" Yes, it's that serious. Almost heartbreaking at moments, especially when an individual urinates that you had been trying so hard to collect from.

Mrs. Fuzzy, begging: "Please?"

Mr. Fuzzy eating his marshmallows, after feverishly rubbing himself.

Alas, it's been an insanely busy week at the Conservancy. Today there was about 11 people in the woods (unhappy face insert here). WAY too many people. Thank God for Larissa who was watching Spruce be re-introduced to Connie with me, I had to hand her my clipboard half way through, because I had a migraine I felt was splitting my head in two. Spruce is on the floor. At least, that is where I left him. I think Connie smells Lilac on him and is super pissed off. I'm sure in the wild she would have rejected him. I mean, wouldn't you reject someone who left you for someone else? If only I could talk to her I'd say: "It wasn't his choice, it was ours, silly humans - and he was very unhappy." Maybe he'll speak up for himself and they can chill out again, all our cortisol levels could go down.

I had another run in with anointing yesterday. I had a photoshoot with the Fuzzies. Literally, that's what it felt like. Oh, and they asked me to anoint them. When they ran out of cinnamon coated marshmallows they looked at me, face to face, almost begging me...so I rubbed them with my cinnamon paper. They were in heaven. Obviously, they derive pleasure from this. Who can watch them and say they don't? Only someone with no common sense.

Connection and communication that occurs
without words is the most amazing kind.

LC/ MS: Losing Control (of) My Sanity :)

I spent the entire day yesterday lost, but in a good way. By the end of my undergraduate career I will owe a lot of my success to a lot of other people. Dr. John Barry at BBC is letting us use his HPLC, LCMS, and Elisa machines at will as long as we provide standards for our samples. I won't lie, it's fun. I don't know why, but it is. Maybe because it allows the perfectionist in me to come out and play without being criticized. I'm so excited, I almost can't believe its all happening. I literally stood in front of the machine yesterday that will define the next year of my life. I got a taste. I will spend countless hours at monkey jungle and countless hours at the lab over the next year, countless weekends and nights - and I'm excited. I am a ballsy undergraduate, and I will make an even ballsier graduate student.

I can't wait to run my first urine sample. I just might cry from joy! :) Seriously.

All in all, the festival during the weekend was fantastic. It was a nice turnout, and the talk by Angela Maldonado was inspiring. There was Amazonian fruit, Brazilian dancers, and lots of talk about what else? Primates. It was a really nice afternoon.

Dr. Angela Maldonado & Thomas from Entropika.

With Jay & Bruce, the team I worked with on social anointing.

The lungs of the world. 

More urine collections and observations, my hypothesis is finally coming together. I think I've decided on something I'll stick with, and it means only a slight adjustment to my methods. The only thing I want at the moment is to watch the antics of Wookie & Austin, I think I will make time for them tonight. (: 

A Bittersweet Symphony ♪

Like humans, who are sometimes incompatibile together as a unit. I find that owl monkeys can also be incompatibile as a unit. The latest pairing will most likely be separated next week. Spruce is most likely going back in with Connie, and Gustavo is most likely going to pair with Lilac. Everyone is too stressed as is. I doubt Connie & Spruce will ever breed, but he won't breed with Lilac either if he is so "unhappy."

Lilac & Spruce, a few days after pairing, before sunset.
--------------------------------------------------------

Urine collection was unsuccessful this week. No one wanted to pee. It's like they went on strike. Almost as if saying: "No! Just because I'm a monkey and your holding a marshmallow DOES NOT mean you can manipulate me into peeing in a bowl for you!" Me:  -__-

Yesterday I think Violet deliberately urinated outside her enclosure just to spite me. How she managed that one, is over my head. Whoever says animals don't have a mind of their own, has very obviously never met a primate.

The festival is this Saturday! Get excited! FIU has also taken an interest in the research at the Conservancy, which is fantastic. I say the more exposure for our partnership, the better. We do fantastic things, and I'm pleased the university I've spent the last 5 years of my life at agrees. On that note, my thanks go out to Dr. Furton and Dr.Makemson who seem to both have forwarded & gotten my e-mails into the right hands & Evelyn Perez for a fantastic article. It's my deep hope that the link between FIU and the Conservancy will only grow stronger as the years progress.

http://news.fiu.edu/2012/02/research-with-monkeys-may-yield-solutions-to-conservation-issues/35523

A bittersweet week indeed, but here's to the future and to looking forwards and never behind.

It's a Festival!

The Amazon Festival is on Saturday! Last year was a lot of fun, with the Brazilian dancers and all that jazz. This year, both Angela Maldonado and Mireya Mayor are set to speak. 

Urine collection is becoming easier, I'm finding a rotation of three pairs per week works wonders. What's even better? People WANT to collect urine and possibly be peed on. I couldn't do what I want without everyone at the Conservancy working as a team, and we do, and for that I am beyond blessed. 

Also, since we can't publish this I may as well include it here. This map is the coolest map ever. If only there was a way we could adequately test what the pattern may suggest. 

It's Dog-gone luck!

I have evening urine samples for the next pairing! Here I thought I would continue to be unlucky, but I thank Monkey.

I found this beautiful german shepherd on the way to the conservancy last night. She was running amuk and almost got run over by a car twice. Yet she was so sweet and so full of life. I couldn't bear the thought that something so full of life, with so much love to give would just be obliterated from the world. So, I took her to monkey jungle with me! :) Needless to say, everyone loved having her there and she loved being there. I named her Monkey - she responded to it, and I figured it was fitting. I ended up reuniting her with her owner. It was this little old lady who was very happy I had returned her, and Monkey well...she ended up bringing me luck.

Urine sample from exactly who I needed urine from.

Hello Sex, Goodbye Bugs

I missed posting on Tuesday, I blame the start of another busy semester. In all actuality, Tuesday was quite exciting. It was a full moon out, and it's 'that time of year' so owl monkeys were mating. I saw Restina and Ferry mate 3x, and I saw Yanni & Pinegirl attempt. It was all very exciting. It means that hopefully some infants should be born this year. Yanni does this thing where he constantly scratches his left arm with his right hand. Such odd behavior.

I actually went in that night to clean out the freezer. Yes, quite glorious. I had to make space for urine samples so I had to get rid of these cell culture plates. I'm not going to lie, just that alone made the day cool. Leaf bugs, and a butterfly. All frozen, and perfect.

I've been quite un-successful in collecting urine samples in the evening. Let's see if I can change that tonight. 

Clicker Training?

The elusive clicker. I used it to teach my dogs numerous commands - sit, down, stay, roll over. The idea is that once you get desired X result, you click, then treat. It helps add additional positive reinforcement. I was handed one today, and I was actually quite excited but ended up not using it because I had an unsuccessful evening in terms of urine collection. I'll make sure I update on how it goes.

I went in today to organize all the urine samples we've collected from August to present time. There will be a more efficient system in place once Spring semester starts on Monday, a more orderly one at that too. It's a good and easy way for me to be accountable for each day of urine collection, and to try to match my behavioral observations to the dates samples are collected.

I wonder what they think many times. I went to sit in the enclosure with Yanni & Pinegirl today and they were looking at me like I was an alien species. Sure we feed them, but why on earth was I sitting on their floor? They are so curious they tried to make sense of it, which I understand and respect. If only there was owl monkey talk for "May you please urinate for me?" They kept inching up towards me, analyzing me, and then bouncing away. Literally "bouncing" since some of the enclosure bars have a spring to them if they walk on them to fast.

Life is like a night in the owl monkey woods, you never know what you're going to get.

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

Tonight I saw one of the most astounding behaviors. I have been watching owl monkeys on and off for five years on various projects. Tonight, on the fifth year, on the first day that the temperature has dipped into the low 40's this year I observed cold owl monkeys and then IT happened. Austin is part of one of our newer pairs, with Wookie as a mate - he came from Texas - hence the name. Tonight, they were huddled together for warmth and Austin was sitting on his wooden open box and he brought his hands together and rubbed them in a circular motion around each other and brought them up to his mouth just like people do to warm their hands!! It's audacious because no one has ever seen on documented this behavior before in an owl monkey...or maybe in New World primates period. It was amazing, but of course I can't blame him - it was freezing!

Wookie (left), Austin (right). In October.

I went out tonight for the mere fact that it was cold, and I wanted to see the change in behavior and hormone levels on such a night. I was expecting to see correlations, but that blew my mind. By the way, collecting owl monkey urine is one of the hardest things I've had to do. They are the only anthropoid that soils their nest box - so they urinate throughout the day (even though they are nocturnal)! Alas though, with the help of marshmallows we are trying to employ a reward system for urination. Oh the lengths you go to in research. However, this has to be by far one of the most rewarding and enjoyable projects I've had the pleasure to be a part of.