Chimp Haven Shares New Information!

Tue Jul 8, 2008

The chimpanzees at Chimp Haven have adapted very well to their natural environments.  Recently, Behavioral Program Manager Amy Fultz presented new information about the chimpanzee’s use of their environment at the American Society of Primatologists 31st Meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

On June 20th, 2008, Ms. Fultz presented a paper entitled “The Emergence of Natural Behaviors in Sanctuary Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) to an audience of fellow primatologists.  The paper discussed the ways in which the chimpanzees are utilizing natural vegetation at Chimp Haven including its use as forage material, nest building materials, and as tools.  The ecology of the habitats was described to those in attendance including the diversity of both plant and animal life.  Since Chimp Haven began recording the occurrence of nests in the habitats in 2007 we have documented over 100 nests, most of which have been made on the ground out of yaupon holly and pine needles or red maple.  Interestingly, these are two plants that the chimpanzees rarely eat.  Most of the nests that we have actually observed being made were being made by wild born chimpanzees, including Debbie, Lolita, Teresa, Brenda, and Karin.  Baby Tracy has also been observed making nests.

Over the last year we have noted almost all of the chimpanzees in the habitats eating natural vegetation, mainly leaves.  Both captive and wild born chimpanzees have been observed eating a variety of plants, nine of them consistently.  The chimpanzees were most likely to be observed eating elm leaves or water oak leaves, but they also enjoy the briars, sweet gum, and other types of oak found in the forest.  In addition, sixteen individuals have been observed climbing trees in the habitats.  Only one of our habitat groups is eating the sap and bark of the loblolly pine trees and to date the chimpanzees in that habitat have affected over 100 trees and continue to eat the sap. 

Other behaviors that we have observed include the digging of holes, leaf sponging (taking a leaf and crumpling it and then dipping it in water and sucking on it), eating cattails, and the use of tools for ant and termite fishing (the chimpanzees are eating the local fire ants and termites).

All of this information was shared with other primatologists as we all strive to determine the optimal environment for chimpanzees being retired from biomedical research.  The chimpanzees at Chimp Haven have adapted quickly to their forest homes and they continue to demonstrate new and exciting behaviors reminiscent of their chimpanzee relatives living in the African rainforests.