Chimpanzee Central

How should we relate to beings who look into mirrors and see themselves as individuals, who mourn companions and may die of grief, who have a consciousness of 'self?' Don't they deserve to be treated with the same sort of consideration we accord to other highly sensitive beings: ourselves?

- Dr. Jane Goodall

Chimpanzees are intelligent, social beings. Before Dr. Goodall began her landmark study of them in 1960, however, almost nothing was known of their behavior in the wild. Through our studies of chimpanzees, we humans have learned that we are not the only animals who have close family bonds, make and use tools, or engage in warfare against one another. Here at Chimpanzee Central, you too can learn about our closest relatives!

Feature
Our Gombe videographer shares his thoughts about chimpanzee rain dances and waterfall displays

"I've spent many hours pondering how complex and sophisticated are the workings of a chimp's mind, but I still have far more questions than answers."
— Bill Wallauer, Gombe videographer

Chimpanzee News

4/22/2009 — To procreate, low-ranking males use alternative mating strategies
Lower-ranking male chimpanzees do have their ways, a new study out of Gombe shows.

3/19/2009 — Biologists awarded NIH grant for research on stressors and offspring
Using data from JGI’s Gombe Stream Research Center, scientists will undertake a new study investigating stressors of wild chimpanzees and maternal behavior.

3/17/2009 — Meet Bleck: A true charmer
The keepers at our Tchimpounga sanctuary love this chimp because he is something of a comedian – a real acrobat with an expressive face who likes to clap to get human attention.

2/25/2009 — Tell Lawmakers to Say No to Chimpanzees as Pets
We can all push for laws banning the keeping of chimpanzees as pets.

1/22/2009 — Gombe study: chimpanzees can get to the top by being “nice guys”
Alpha male chimpanzees rise to the top in different ways – by being bullies or being companionable, depending on how big they are, a new study out of Gombe suggests.

Become a Chimpanzee Guardian These precious animals have sad histories, but with your help we can give them happy futures. Find out more Chimpanzees in the wild are on the brink of extinction. At the turn of the last century, chimpanzees were living in 25 countries across West and Central Africa numbering around one million. Today their total number has dwindled to less than 200,000, with significant populations found in only four countries. There are many reasons why chimpanzees are disappearing in the wild. Their habitat is vanishing at an alarming rate due to deforestation by foreign hardwood logging companies. Logging in remote areas has increased chimpanzees' vulnerability to poachers by disrupting their once secluded environments. The Jane Goodall Institute sanctuary program is working to create vast areas of protected chimpanzee habitat.