Saturday, June 16, was a hard day in the sanctuary, because of the sudden death of Junior and the consequent loneliness of his friend Jango, who has not accepted yet the unexpected disappearance of his enclosure partner. Last Saturday, 23, a week later, the day was highlighted by the arrival of Cecilia, a baby chimpanzee. His mother, Ditty, surrounded by her group, gave birth to Cecilia in the early hours of the day.

Ditty is a very reproductive. She is already a grandmother of three babies – Sofia, Sara and Suzi – and mother of four – Dolores, Samantha, Luisa and Pedrinho. And now she surprised us with this baby, who already sleeps and breastfeed quietly in her chest. Ditty is surrounded by her children, her partner, Gilberto, and her friend, Margaret, who is together with her for more than 10 years, establishing a strong friendship and helping in the care of this great family.

The interesting thing is that Cecilia was born aunt, being the lowest in age and size, compared with her nieces. This happens frequently in the chimp world, as the females begin to breed with just over 10, like Samantha, who is 13 years old and has three daughters. Samantha will probably be a grandmother in 8-10 years, when Sofia gives birth to her first baby, and Ditty will be a great-grandmother.

The arrival of a baby chimp in the family is something extraordinary that changes the mood and the future prospects of all components of the group. It was exciting to see the mother with the baby in the chest. She was exhausted due to labor, sleeping, surrounded by her eldest daughter, Luiza, her mate, Gilberto, and the younger son, Pedrinho.  Luiza takes the baby with great delicacy, while Pedrinho, jealous of dividing the attention of his mother, teases Cecilia and is warned by his mother and father. He starts to cry and looks for refugee in the arms of aunt Margaret, who is watching everything that is happening.

Ditty is a smart and dedicated mother. She could not enjoy her first daughters – Dolores and Samantha – since they were taken away after birth in the container business where they lived. However, in the Sanctuary she has managed to experience motherhood three times in its fullness.

We are sure that Cecilia, as well as her nieces, may follow, in a advanced age, the birth of the next century and will remind humanity that her brothers chimpanzees still exist!