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.