![]() After reports of unprecedented decline, in 2016 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgraded the western chimpanzee’s threat status from endangered (the status of every other subspecies) to critically endangered. Researchers are understandably excited by the prospect of understanding this rich cultural diversity, though sadly they are under considerable time pressure. Social bonds among youngsters are a must to establish the roles and hierarchies of each individual in the group. Houmou plays with one of his orphan brothers during a walk in the forest. Many of these behaviours could be culturally transmitted through social learning across generations. Some communities of this subspecies have been shown to manufacture wooden spears to hunt down other primates, crack nuts open by balancing them on a root and pounding them with a stone, soak themselves and play in water to cool down on hot days, travel and forage at night, and regularly gather in caves to socialise and sleep. ![]() There are four recognised subspecies of chimpanzees, among which western chimpanzees stand out for their many unique behaviours. In 2003, a population of 170,000-300,000 wild individuals was estimated across a highly discontinuous distribution covering 1m sq miles (2.6m sq km). ![]() Once common throughout equatorial Africa, chimpanzees have disappeared from most of their historic range. Here, Antoine is playing with one of the orphans before they start their daily walk through the forest. They play a crucial role in fostering social bonds of chimpanzees. Caregivers are essential to baby chimps’ education.
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