Chimps We Know
The "F" Family
Flo
(approx. 1929 - 1972)
Flo was one of the first females to follow David Greybeard to Jane's camp in 1961. What's more, when she came into oestrus in 1963 she was extraordinarily sexually attractive to the many males who then began to follow her into camp.
Most had never ventured into this strange and–to them–frightening place. But such was Flo's appeal that they could not bear to leave her. And luckily, we met more and more Gombe chimps!
Flo's high rank and social assertiveness influenced her offspring as they developed. Her son, Figan, with the support of his brother Faben, became top-ranking male for six years (1973-1979). Daughter Fifi went on to become top-ranking female herself.
Flo, that wonderful mother, with her great love of and zest for life and her indomitable spirit was given the rare of honour of an obituary in Britain's prestigious newspaper, The Sunday Times.
The sad story of Flint
Flo gave birth to at least five offspring: Faben, Figan, Fifi, Flint, and Flame. She was a wonderful, supportive, affectionate and playful mother to the first three. But she looked very old when the time came to wean young Flint and she had not yet fully succeeded in weaning him when she gave birth to Flame.
When Flame died at the age of six months, Flo stopped even trying to push Flint to independence. Flint became abnormally dependent on his old mother and when Flo died in 1972, he was unable to cope without her. He stopped eating and interacting with others and showed signs of clinical depression.
Soon thereafter, Flint's immune system became too weak to keep him alive. He died at the age of eight and a half, within one month of losing his mother.
