All Articles Tagged As: chimpanzees

Developmental delay may explain behavior of easygoing ape species (1/31/2010)

New research suggests that evolutionary changes in cognitive development underlie the extensive social and behavioral differences that exist between two closely related species of great apes. The study, published online on Jan. 28 in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, enhances our understanding of our two closest living relatives, chimpanzees and the lesser-known bonobos, and may provide key insight into human evolution. ...> Full Article

Wild chimps have near human understanding of fire (12/27/2009)

The use and control of fire are behavioral characteristics that distinguish humans from other animals. Now, a new study by Iowa State University anthropologist Jill Pruetz reports that savanna chimpanzees in Senegal have a near human understanding of wildfires and change their behavior in anticipation of the fire's movement. ...> Full Article

New evidence of culture in wild chimpanzees (10/27/2009)

A new study of chimpanzees living in the wild adds to evidence that our closest primate relatives have cultural differences, too. The study, reported online on Oct. 22 in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, shows that neighboring chimpanzee populations in Uganda use different tools to solve a novel problem: extracting honey trapped within a fallen log. ...> Full Article

Chimpanzees help each other on request but not voluntarily (10/16/2009)

The evolution of altruism has long puzzled researchers and has mainly been explained previously from ultimate perspectives. However, a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE by researchers at the Primate Research Institute and the Wildlife Research Center of Kyoto University shows that chimpanzees altruistically help conspecifics, even in the absence of direct personal gain or immediate reciprocation, although the chimpanzees were much more likely to help each other upon request than voluntarily. ...> Full Article

Hyenas cooperate, problem-solve better than primates (9/30/2009)

Spotted hyenas may not be smarter than chimpanzees, but a new study shows that they outperform the primates on cooperative problem-solving tests. ...> Full Article

Chimpanzees develop 'specialized tool kits' to catch army ants (9/6/2009)

First evidence of multiple tool use suggests 'sustainable' food-harvesting techniques ...> Full Article

Chimps, like humans, focus on faces (7/27/2009)

A chimp's attention is captured by faces more effectively than by bananas. A series of experiments described in BioMed Central's open-access journal Frontiers in Zoology suggests that the apes are wired to respond to faces in a similar manner to humans. ...> Full Article

AIDS discovered in wild chimpanzees (7/26/2009)

A new study from an international team, including University of Minnesota professors Anne Pusey and Michael Wilson, shows that chimpanzees infected with SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus), the precursor to HIV-1, do contract and die from AIDS. ...> Full Article

Meat for sex in wild chimpanzees (4/10/2009)

Male chimpanzees that regularly share their food with females are able to mate more often than their stingy fellows ...> Full Article

Chimp's stone throwing at zoo visitors was 'premeditated' (3/10/2009)

Researchers have found what they say is some of the first unambiguous evidence that an animal other than humans can make spontaneous plans for future events. The report in the March 9 issue of Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, highlights a decade of observations in a zoo of a male chimpanzee calmly collecting stones and fashioning concrete discs that he would later use to hurl at zoo visitors. ...> Full Article

In a last 'stronghold' for endangered chimpanzees, survey finds drastic decline (10/18/2008)

In a population survey of West African chimpanzees living in Côte d'Ivoire, researchers estimate that this endangered subspecies has dropped in numbers by a whopping 90 percent since the last survey was conducted 18 years ago. The few remaining chimpanzees are now highly fragmented, with only one viable population living in Tai National Park ...> Full Article

Great apes think ahead (6/21/2008)

Study provides conclusive evidence of advanced planning capacities in non-human species ...> Full Article

How female chimps call off the competition (6/18/2008)

New research suggests that females use copulation calls strategically to prevent competition ...> Full Article

Researchers find human virus in chimpanzees (6/6/2008)

After studying chimpanzees in the wilds of Tanzania's Mahale Mountains National Park a research team has produced powerful scientific evidence that chimpanzees are becoming sick from viral infectious diseases they have likely contracted from humans. ...> Full Article

Why Don't Chimpanzees Like To Barter Food? (2/1/2008)

For thousands of years, human beings have relied on commodity barter as an essential aspect of their lives. It is the behavior that allows specialized professions, as one individual gives up some of what he has reaped to exchange with another for something different. In this way, both individuals end up better off. Despite the importance of this behavior, little is known about how barter evolved and developed. ...> Full Article

Great Apes Endangered By Human Viruses (1/26/2008)

The opening of gorillas and chimpanzees reserves for tourism is often portrayed as the key to conserving these endangered great apes. There are also however serious concerns that tourism may expose wild apes to infection by virulent human diseases. ...> Full Article

Chimpanzees rely on role models more than children do (1/15/2008)

Researchers found that chimpanzees are heavily dependent on fellow chimps as role models ...> Full Article

Chimpanzees exaggerate their screams when under attack, to attract help from higher ranking group members (10/15/2007)

Research by the University of St Andrews shows that chimpanzees vary their screams depending on the severity of the attack and that they can exaggerate the nature of the attack, but only if higher ranking group members are in the audience. The way they scream provides nearby listeners with important cues about the nature of the attack. ...> Full Article