Fern’s reintroduction to the chimpanzee once again reveals another part of animal behavior; despite previous notions of societies structured by dominance and instinct, Fern is at the top of the social hierarchy. In the scientific community, apes such as bonobos are characterized by a “continual and casual sexual congress.” (150) Dr. Sosa, one of Rosemary’s professors, states that “the lowest-status male was higher than the highest-status female” (148). Dr. Sosa was eager to establish that chimpanzees had very animalistic behaviors that only fit the scientifically observed social structures. Fern’s relationships is the interaction with her fellow apes after her departure from the human world defied these expectations. “So Fern is not the largest,
