Biographies—Martina

Martina was born on January 21, 1991 at LEMSIP, a biomedical research laboratory in New York. Like many research-bred chimpanzees, she was separated from her mother at birth and raised in a nursery setting by human caretakers. Sweet-natured Martina bonded closely with her human caretakers and was still being taken to caregivers’ homes well after other juveniles had outgrown this type of activity.

Martina Copyright © 2004 Alan Li

When LEMSIP closed its operations in 1996, Martina was one of the few fortunate individuals who found sanctuary. She came to the PRC with six other young LEMSIP chimps, kept with them as somewhat of a “big sister.” Martina was several years older than the other youngsters and, though sweet to humans, she was somewhat of a bully to her younger peers. She would take food and favored toys, and make the biggest nest out of everyone’s blankets and coveted straw.

Once the LEMSIP gang was integrated with the older Dahlonega Five chimps, Martina found her high position a bit uncertain. Donald, the dominant adult male, was quite interested in adolescent Martina. His older female companions, however, were less enthusiastic about making her acquaintance. Victoria was especially jealous that Martina was receiving all of Donald’s attention. She was even able to take food from him! Victoria would never take her frustrations out in front of Donald, but the minute he moved into a different room, she would swoop down and heckle Martina: poking, slapping, barking. It took years for the relationship between these two to cool down, and they still have the occasion struggle over Donald’s affections.

Martina is still good-natured and eager to please. Her human caretakers can ask her to fetch anything from inside the enclosure, such as a broken toy, and Martina races off and returns with the requested item. She is one of the more intelligent chimps in the group, and seems to really understand much of what she is asked to do. Martina is the Imelda Marcos of the chimp world—she simply loves shoes! A visitor with a pair of spanking new white tennis shoes is a real treat for our Martina. She also has a habit of washing her hands, and does so often throughout the day.