The power struggle when males try to establish themselves as alpha of a group of chimpanzees is constant. In the Sanctuary of Ngamba Island, the situation is no different. It seems that, in recent days, Kalema is consolidating his power as dominant. He had to intervene in a disagreement between friends Eddy and Kisembo. It all started when Eddy tried to throw a stone in one of the keepers and Kisembo reprehended him . This provoked a fight between the two , in which Kalema – as always with alpha males – had to intervene to reconcile both.

At another point , Mawa – female – was caressed by Kalema when keepers locked them together in the same enclosure. When they had to get out, both Mawa and Asega came together behind Kalema , as a form of submission.

These small gestures observed by handlers that spend years with them show details of the process that is leading inexorably Kalema to be the alpha male of the group of the Sanctuary .

Dr. Pedro A. Ynterian

President , GAP Project International