By Breanne Cyr, PI Behavior Specialist
Junior was devastated after losing his best buddy, Ganesha, following Ganesha’s fatal battle with severe heart disease this past January. While both these monkeys had historically been slow to warm up to other monkeys (including each other), Junior and Ganesha’s bond had grown to be inseparable after several years of living as a pair. If anyone needed confirmation that monkeys grieve losses, Junior was a stark reminder of how distressing it can be to experience grief after losing someone so close.
As staff, it was heartbreaking not only to lose Ganesha, but also to witness Junior’s heartbreak. His grief was palpable. Initially, Junior was angry – a commonly noted stage of grief. After the loss, I sat on the ground outside Junior’s enclosure offering him support and connection. I felt a deep non-verbal emotional connection and understanding that we both needed in our grieving processes. Junior had a wavering lower lip and made staccato grunting vocalizations that I had never seen from him before. While Junior normally enjoyed being groomed with a backscratcher in limited durations, this day in particular, he seemed consoled by just sitting with me as much as he could and getting endless grooming as he stared off into the distance.
While staff tried to spend as much time as possible with Junior and give him extra attention and support following Ganesha’s passing, Junior was refusing to eat and was generally depressed. While no one would replace Ganesha, it was clear that Junior needed a monkey buddy again as soon as possible. We immediately began brainstorming options for him and the rest of our PI monkey troop.
We decided that our best option was to test out re-pairing Junior with Rocky. These two had previously lived happily together at the sanctuary before being separated due to Rocky’s food dominance and Junior’s anxiety to eat a couple years prior. After all, Junior had been eating well with Ganesha, so we figured maybe he would continue to eat better even if he were living with Rocky again.
During that time, Rocky had been living with Hanu, and while they also had a solid relationship, they were having to spend an increasing amount of time apart due to Hanu’s increasing diabetic care needs. Additionally, Rocky was getting jealous of the extra attention and more frequent feeding that Hanu received for his diabetes, which was increasing tension between them. Although we didn’t necessarily want to split Hanu and Rocky, in looking at the needs of everyone in the colony, we decided it was most beneficial to at least try it out since Hanu is diabetic and has to be separated often for feeding.
We used our elevated tunnel system with forks to give Rocky and Junior increasingly close access to one another. After all, having been apart for two years, we had no idea what to expect about how they would feel about a reunion with one another. To our surprise, once Rocky was nearby, Junior right away started to eat his food again, gave friendly signals to Rocky, and wanted proximity with Rocky even though Rocky was dominant over him. The two monkeys seemed to wonder what we were waiting for in giving the two of them full access to one another. While we were conscious of not wanting to rush the process (which could be dangerous for them) and we hadn’t intended to pair the two monkeys together again so quickly, all the signs were clear that this was what Junior wanted/needed and that Rocky was on board as well.
Honestly, once they were fully reunited without any safety barriers, there were no immediate exciting exchanges between the two of them. (Rocky, admirably nicknamed “Rocky Roomba,” was too interested in cleaning up any and all of Junior’s food scraps!) However, it didn’t take long for the two of them to interact and eventually get back to grooming one another and co-aggressing at Noah, who they decided was being a nosy neighbor. It was clear that Junior’s behavior became more “normal” again and that he was less depressed. Rocky has always been very adaptable and friendly, so as long as he had a view of his other friend, Hanu, he was satisfied. Hanu also adjusted well, calmly enjoying his full enclosures and having a front row seat to watch many of the other monkeys.
Over time, the bond between these two has absolutely rekindled itself and blossomed further. Perhaps as a result of living with Ganesha, Junior seems to have gained more confidence with Rocky. (Not too much confidence — Rocky is still clearly dominant, but Junior is more healthily confident.) Junior loves to spend as much time as he can grooming Rocky, and Rocky has a look of total bliss on his face as his eyes blink shut as he is being groomed. The pair also enjoy some gentle wrestle play. In the recent months, they’ve even been seen sleeping right next to one another on the same bench at night – something that Junior had never been comfortable with, even with Ganesha.
While nothing makes up for the loss of Ganesha, the story of Junior and Rocky’s rediscovered and strengthened relationship reminds us of the resiliency and re-found joy that can follow tough losses. Ganesha will always remain a critical chapter in Junior’s story, just has he will for all of us at Primates Inc.
Junior (pig-tail and lion-tail macaque) grooming Rocky (rhesus macaque)
Junior and Rocky enjoying Wisconsin summer
Junior grooming Ganesha (rhesus macaque)
Junior spending time outside with Ganesha
Hanuman foraging in his greenhouse and enjoying his harvest.