The chimpanzee social structure is divided into hierarchies led by a dominant male referred to as the alpha male. The alpha male not only mates with all the females but is also the most powerful chimpanzee controlling everyone and everything in the group. Who wouldn’t want to be an all powerful alpha male? With this position so highly contested, I think Oscar is in trouble. His days as alpha male of the old group at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary are numbered.

Alpha males are not necessarily the largest or strongest males but rather the most manipulative and intelligent males who can influence the goings on within a group. I wouldn’t call Ali Kaka the largest or the strongest but he seems to be giving Oscar a run for his money and may very well be the next alpha male. It is quite interesting watching Ali Kaka try to overthrow Oscar. He exhibits dominance displays which entail fighting other males, stamping his feet and generally causing a racket to get the other chimpanzees to be submissive to him. This is quite different from the shy, traumatized Ali Kaka that was brought here from Sudan.  

So far Ali Kaka has managed to gather quite a following and it is only a matter of time before he challenges Oscar and takes over the top ranking position. Fortunately for Oscar this might take a while as overthrowing an alpha male is not always easy.  This coup should be interesting to watch. Keep reading for regular updates.