VS-3: Viki Cries When Left Alone

Chimpanzees, like humans, get a good deal of parental care during their infancy and youth. It is rare for a chimp less than five years of age to be separated from his or her mother, and stranded chimpanzee infants will cry out if they realize that mama is gone. Here Keith Hayes uses this natural distaste for isolation to show that chimpanzees vocalize readily when they experience strong emotions. Even though Keith does not move far away, even the small distance he puts between himself and Viki leads to some piercing shrieks. Just the noise to help your parents locate you!

Copyright ©1952 by Keith Hayes, used with permission. All rights reserved.