Midge, continued

When Nim passed away in 2000, Midge became the sole male of the group at the ranch. Male chimps in the wild typically vie for the highest-ranking status of their 50 or so member-community by demonstrating their strength and dominance (Jane Goodall Institute). Midge, however, happily lives at the bottom of his hierarchy, where he regularly allows Lulu and Kitty to take the lead. Perhaps the fact that Midge did not grow up in a situation where he had adult male chimps to interact with and learn from has resulted in a personality that is not typical for male chimps.

Whatever the social order, today Midge roams free at the ranch with his companions in an open enclosure, built just for them with a green grass floor, a view of the blue sky above, and plenty of structures with which to climb, play, and make music.

Related Links

Learn more about what's wrong with using chimpanzees in research.
Read more about Kitty and Lulu, Midge's companions at the ranch.

Posted: September 18, 2007