The observations on Dec. 12, 2022, were highlighted with my first sighting of a newborn member of Troop Bravo. The diminutive youngster clung to his mother's back as the troop moved along the waterline, heading towards their lair.
It will take a few more observations to identify the mother, but I can rule out Bibi and Nellie, as I had confirmed sightings of both of those females.
The father could be Mal, the troop leader, or any other adult male. At this time there's no way to tell.
Mal's behavior yesterday was notable. He mounted several females, in copulation displays (always in plain view of the troop, in open areas). Mal may be asserting dominance, reassuring his place in the social structure. Still, he is a fairly calculated leader, and openly mating with all receptive females may also signal that he lays claim to every baby in the troop as his progeny. I'm not sure I will figure out exactly what Mal's motives are, but further observations may shed some light on the situation.
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