The original publication mentioned in the video from Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution is called: Foraging strategy and tree structure as drivers of arboreality and suspensory behaviour in savannah-dwelling chimpanzees. Click here for the link to the publication.
Click here for one popular science translation of the study: Walking on Two Legs May Have Evolved in Trees, Not on the Ground.
There’s more to the study than the quick video above. It includes discussion of the type of habitat in Tanzania where the study chimpanzees live. Unlike the dense forest ecosystems where many chimpanzees live, the habitat of the site in Tanzania is called savanna-mosaic, which always strikes me as poetic or romantic or something. It’s thought to be similar to the type of ecosystem where early humans adapted to thrive.
I was talking about the study with J.B., and that conversation caused me to think about studying chimpanzees in order to learn more about humans or human origins.
I’ve definitely said it before, but it doesn’t hurt to reflect again on how and why chimpanzees have been bought/sold/traded by humans in the pet, entertainment, and biomedical industries. They are frequently thought of and used as stand-ins for humans, yet they are different and separate enough that humans tend to feel less moral obligation towards them.
Their likeness to us has been, all to often, to their detriment. I don’t think that’s the case in this particular study. I do find theories about early humans interesting. But I think it is the case in an update to another story that has been in the news.
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog post sharing a sad update to the Tonia Haddix / Chimp Crazy saga. If you missed that update, you can read the full post here. Just two days ago, Haddix was finally sentenced to almost four years in prison for lying under oath that a chimpanzee named Tonka had died, when in fact she was secretly keeping him in her basement. She has not yet been charged for the second chimpanzee she was trying to hide just months ago.
Her lawyer made a statement that Haddix had a difficult upbringing and history with humans, so had turned instead to animals for comfort. I think it was clear in the documentary Chimp Crazy that she felt chimpanzees in particular filled a need she had, even referring to Tonka as being more of a human than a chimpanzee. If she saw evidence of that it was because the humans around him were attempting to assimilate him into their world, rather than seeing him for who he is.
Haddix is an extreme example of this warped vision, but it’s easy to slip into this view because chimpanzees are so similar to humans and so culturally and socially adaptive. Celebrating and understanding their differences is perhaps more important to helping them than seeing their similarities.
I hope we can do both.
Your words are very moving Diana. Thank you. My thoughts went to chimpanzees versus bonobos. I think of a line in the movie Artival where a linguist character is asked what is the meaning of a Sanskrit word for war and she said it means I want more cows. The thought then takes me to the difference between chimpanzees and bonobos. Bonobos don’t war, but they have plenty of resources (food) so they don’t have to fight over it or territory. I know I went rather off-topic, but I just find the evolution between them very interesting, and our own evolution and why we war. Which at this point in our evolution on this planet is so horrifying and unnecessary.
Paulette we have to also take into consideration that bonobos are a matriarchal society unlike chimps with an alpha male leading a troop. That has to factor in to their behavioral differences.
And the fact that they have sex with each other all the time; there is no need for the males to fight over who gets mating rights.
Missy is the Fire Hose Master! Wow, I don’t recall seeing that one of Jamie. Aw, Rayne. She’ll get it. She’s so adventurous. I know she’ll keep trying.
I am always impressed when I see Missy or Jamie tippy toe stealthy across a firehose with perfect balance. So athletic and graceful at the same time. I find it impressive that Rayne gave it a shot. Not bad for a beginner (and a grown adult who grew up on concrete in small quarters no less) and Rayne instantly switched gears when she stumbled and decided to travel by brachiating across the hose instead. Rayne is so adventurous, I hope she continues with her attempts. I have faith she’ll get there one day.
Thanks for the infirm the study and, as always, for your insight.
Yes! I think they are much more interesting than humans.
That video is funny, because I would have guessed they could all walk on a tight rope like acrobats. (except maybe Negra) ?
But it makes total sense that some would be better at it than others, because of their history. It just makes me admire Rayne even more. Practice makes perfect Rayne !
Come to think of it, wanting to get better at something is a very similar trait to humans.
I have seen these videos before, but couldn’t help but note that in a couple of instances, both Missy and Jamie are not tight rope walking for food, they’re just doing it because they can. i
That in turn reminded me of a video where Jamie is trying to get a PVC pipe puzzle outside the mesh into her area. After a lot of work, she manages to get it done, pulls the PVC pipe with the peanut butter in…. and then walks away. She didn’t want the peanut butter really, at least not at that moment. She just wanted to show herself that she could finish that challenge.
j will read the article you referenced. i thought about chimp foot structure and how that compared to early humans. That large space after their big toe goves them an ability to grasp. and they have a better sense of balance than most humans.
i too read the news two days ago on Haddix and the sentencing. Someone with such serious emotional, pschologucal imbalance shouldn’t have any animals to dominate in her quest for love..She obviousty learned nothing from her history with Tonka. Chimp Crazy possibly gave her too much attention. Hopefully,she will receive serious counseling.
Furthermore, there should be a nationwide law banning all primate private ownership. Squirrel and spider monkeys, lemurs and capuchins are all on the internet for sale.
Hi Gaynel! There is legislation on the national level waiting to be passed. The Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.3199/ S.1594), will ban the private possession of apes, monkeys, and other nonhuman primates by prohibiting the private ownership and interstate or foreign commerce of nonhuman primates for the cruel “pet” trade.
Please consider contacting your federal legislators urging them to co-sponsor the Captive Primate Safety Act. You can take action to get this passed by signing here :
https://aldf.org/project/captive-primate-safety-act-federal/
Even if you have already signed this in the past, send it in again. Without constant reminders and pushing this will never get passed.
I will be posting about this bill very shortly with a new advocacy tool we are trying out!
Yay! Can’t wait.
thanks for the reminder Kathleen. you are right in that it doesn’t hurt to send a second third or as many notes that are needed to remind our legislators of this important Act.
It always blows my mind how Missy and Jamie can balance like that. Especially considering that climbing is a skill that has to be developed for chimps. It’s not something they’re innately good at. I know Rayne will get there eventually!
Dear Diana,
I have noticed that lately you have used ( a lot) of text during the video’s, and I have to say that it makes it very difficult for me to watch the images if I have to ( speed) read text at the same time.
Would it be possible to just have small text at the bodem of the video so it is easy to read and watch at the same time? It would make it more enjoyable at least for me.
Todays video is very educational and interesting. I appreciate each and every one of the blogs and videos and think they are perfect the way they are.
Foxie’s birthday party was a fun time to be had by all. It’s heartwarming to see how excited all the chimpanzees get when there is a celebration. Bless their hearts?