Little Max comes running and jumps onto big Peach's back—a common sight in Chimpanzee enclosure at Tama Zoo. Visitors often exclaim, "Oh! A baby is being carried on its mother's back!", but Max actually has a mother named Marina. Marina is very afraid of Peach and doesn't approach her on her own, but for some reason, her son Max spends a lot of time with Peach in the enclosure.

Max, who will soon be three years old, leaves his mother's side when he goes out into the enclosure and starts playing with the other Chimpanzee. He often plays chase and wrestling with the other children, but he spends about the same amount of time with Peach.

Max often acts quite spoiled, clinging to Peach, asking her to give him piggyback rides and tickle him, or pulling on her arm and asking for half of the juice she buys from the vending machine, but Peach takes care of him without getting angry.

Peach is large and high in the herd, so everyone looks up to her, but I always think that Max is probably the only one who can be as spoiled as she wants.

Watching Max laughing "ha ha ha" as Peach tickles him, and Peach gazing at him with a gentle look, even I am tempted to think, "Are these two mother and son?" But when it's time to go back to their sleeping quarters or when there's trouble in the group, Max runs to his mother, Marina. It's moments like these that make you realize how reliable a real mother can be.

Despite the summer heat, Max is running around energetically today as well. So, who will be his playmate today?

Photo: Max having fun playing with Peach

[Jun Tama Zoo, Tama Zoological Park]

(August 6, 2010)