Meet Lancelot – quiet peacekeeper and ladies’ man

By James Haworth

Lancelot the Brave

Last month, the nine newest chimps at the sanctuary—a group of males, ages 15 to 20, including 18-year-old Lancelot—got their first chance to go outside. Their first chance ever to run on thick green grass, with nothing overhead but trees and clouds and birds and the north Georgia sun. (ICYMI, catch the video here.)

It was great to see Lancelot taking full advantage of the opportunity—chest out, head high, eyes wide open, taking in this exciting new world. When he climbed the fire-hose ladder leading high up into the trees, he looked confident—courageous, even. On top of the world. We were delighted. The Lancelot we’d come to know was quiet and shy, one of the lower-ranking chimps in his group. First in line for food, he’s often the last to get fed.

Lancelot the Diplomat

But Lancelot, a handsome chimp with pink nose and muzzle, plays a valuable and important role in his group. He’s a peacekeeper. 

When scuffles break out, Lancelot runs from chimp to chimp, hugging each one close and panting on them—his mouth wide open, covering the other chimp’s mouth, puffing short, quick breaths of warm, moist air that soothe nerves and calm tension.

Lancelot the Gentleman

At the lab where Lancelot was born, the chimps live in sex-segregated groups. When Lancelot’s group came to Project Chimps in June, staff kept the nine males together. A group of ten females also arrived that month and lived next door, in sight but just out of reach.

Over the past month, our caregivers and behaviorist have been slowly and methodically introducing the males to the ten females next door, in small groups of four to six chimps at a time, part of our strategic plan to build an environment for a thriving fission-fusion society of chimpanzees. Throughout the process, Lancelot has been the total gentleman—eager to meet each of the females and quick to make friends.

Given his easy, comfortable way with the females, Lancelot seems well positioned to thrive in his new, larger group. His caregivers hope he’ll develop more and stronger friendships—with both males and females—and grow in confidence over time.

Show your support for Lancelot and his 95 chimp friends by making a donation for Giving Day for Apes today!