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

7/31/2008 — Another loss for Gaia
Over the past few days we at the Gombe Stream Research Center have been speculating about how long Gaia's second twin might live.

7/28/2008 — A Twin Succumbs
"The situation for Gaia's new twins has grown both more complex and more distressing over the last few days."

7/25/2008 — A repeat drama: Gremlin takes Gaia's newborns
"Gaia made a great fuss, screaming and such, but was unable to get her babies back from her mother."

7/24/2008 — Once again, twins at Gombe!
"One of the babies, on Gaia's left, clearly is a boy. He seems to be healthy, but Gaia is holding him upside down!"

7/22/2008 — An interesting moment for a Gombe researcher
"It was an exciting moment, and one I don't often get to observe since I do not frequent this part of the park with the chimps."

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.