The story of Bedlam

Bedlam.  Photo: K. Perry

Bedlam was born to a rather timid low-ranking female named Brava (a misnomer, since she was actually quite shy and gentle around other monkeys). When Irene Godoy was analyzing Bedlam’s poop to see who his father was, she had a bit of a surprise. None of the males in Pelon group matched him as a father, so Irene called to ask if it was possible that she mated outside the group - something that had never occurred before in the population. Brava’s brother was the alpha male of Pelon group, so we wondered whether she had left to conceive her offspring, not wanting to breed with her own brother. When we looked at the census records for the week of Bedlam’s conception, we found that indeed, Brava had left the group and actually spent the night in Cupie’s group, in our one and only observation of a female sleeping in another group! And indeed she got pregnant that night. However, if this was meant to be a strategic anti-inbreeding move rather than an accidental sleepover, it failed, because the male who sired Bedlam was another of Brava’s 15 brothers on her father’s side. Brava had a sweetheart, Jorge, back in Pelon group who was unrelated to her, but he was a low-ranking male. Bedlam absolutely hated Jorge, squawking and screaming whenever he came near, as if he thought he would kill him. We never saw Jorge mistreat Bedlam though, and Bedlam grew up to be a big bully. Observers generally agree that he is the rudest male in the group, obnoxiously shoving other monkeys away from tree holes he wants instead of politely waiting his turn to drink. When he got old enough to leave home, he moved to Celeste’s group with his playmates from home: Avocado and Quincy.