Amidst the harsh terrain and frequent fires of Senegal's savanna landscape lives a community of remarkable chimps. What makes them different from their forest-dwelling kin? And what can they reveal about human evolution?
Join us on World Chimpanzee Day for a journey into the heart of the savanna to explore the world of chimps with Dr Jill Pruetz. Following her pioneering research in Senegal's savanna habitat, Jill reveals her incredible discoveries about the behavior of our closest relatives, offering insights into the lives of our early hominin ancestors.
'I hadn’t anticipated fire as a part of their environment, and it’s a major part of their environment.'
At Fongoli, Jill has encountered a fascinating array of behaviors that defy conventional wisdom about chimpanzees. From navigating wildfires and soaking in water for thermoregulation, to the systematic use of tools for hunting bush babies, the savanna chimps exhibit behaviors unlike any seen before.
‘There were chimps hanging out in this cave!’
One of the most striking discoveries was the remarkable imbalance between male and female hunting capabilities. Contrary to the norm observed in other chimp populations, females at Fongoli were the primary hunters, wielding tools with precision to secure prey. This unique cultural phenomenon challenges traditional views of chimp behavior and demonstrates the complexity of social dynamics across different chimpanzee communities.
Tune in to learn more now, on Talking Apes Podcast.
To support The Fingoli Savanna Chimpanzee Project:
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/fongoli-savanna-chimpanzee-project/
Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
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