Author: Brittany Cohen-Brown

In the not-so-distant past, when scientists discussed primate behavior, they often outright denied the existence of the many complex emotions that these intelligent animals possess. It is only recently that humanity has discovered that, like us, great apes have a rich inner world and nuanced social structure (primarily thanks to the research of Dr. Jane Goodall!). While we are grateful for the outstanding research of Dr. Goodall, we’re also extremely grateful for the work of all those who have continued to study chimpanzees and other great apes, research that has revealed stunning insights including….that chimpanzees can likely show gratitude, too!…

When Jane Goodall was offered the opportunity to go into the forests of Gombe to learn about chimpanzees, little was known about the these highly intelligent beings. What Jane learned in the sweltering forest of Tanzania would show the world that chimpanzees, like us, have an incredibly complex social structure. And also like humans, that social structure involves friends, enemies, and battles for power. Dr. Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute’s continuous research of chimpanzees has revealed so much about our great ape cousins. Let’s start at the top: The highest-ranking chimpanzee in a group is the alpha-male. These males…

Photos and videos of young chimpanzees living at our sanctuary receive so much love and adoration. Not many things are as cute as a group of healthy chimpanzees playing, hugging, and exploring their world. But these photos and videos we share only show one side of what Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center does for rescued chimpanzees. When a chimpanzee arrives at Tchimpounga, their life is often in peril. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Cve5vQhac The true cost of wildlife crime is horrific – devastating individuals and pushing species to extinction. It’s common for chimpanzees to be suffering from infected wounds, parasites, malnutrition and dehydration, not to mention…

Eight years ago, a small box arrived at Tchimpounga. When the caretakers opened the box they found a small creature dressed up in baby clothes. This was in fact no baby, but instead, an infant chimpanzee kept in this box for transport. This frightened little one was found forcibly dressed in trousers and a striped sweater, disoriented and alone. His name is Lousingo Stolen From the Wild  There are so many similarities between chimpanzees and humans; our shared ability to problem solve, form strong familial bonds, and a chimp infant holds a remarkable physical and behavioral likeness to a human baby…

One seemingly ordinary day in 2012 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, an employee of local NGO PALF received a tip off that soon a boat would be arriving holding smuggled cargo. Sure enough, a few days later, authorities boarded the suspect boat. What they found was a special kind of cargo: a small, sick chimpanzee. It was immediately clear this little creature was in desperate condition. This tiny chimpanzee, likely taken from his forest home and mother to be used as a “pet,” would come to be called, Motambo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x65gHrmBMZY Saving Motambo To save Motambo’s life, he was confiscated from the…

It’s a busy day in the restaurant. Children visiting with their parents poke Luc, wishing to rile him into some sort of dance. Luc tries to retaliate, to follow the children to play, but he is tethered to a post by a tightly bound rope. Luc is a chimpanzee. He was taken as an infant, his mother likely killed in order for humans to claim him as a prop for their business. Lucky for Luc, he was taken once more: this time, to Tchimpounga sanctuary. The Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center is among the largest chimpanzee sanctuaries on…

This year has been a wonderful one at Tchimpounga, filled with friendship and new adventure, especially for the chimpanzees who have been able to move to their new island homes. But sadly, Tchimpounga has also suffered a great loss. This December 11, 2016, we said goodbye to La Vieille, a gentle old soul who lived at JGI’s Tchimpounga sanctuary for 24 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9-smtn8G6k Rescued in 1992 after being abandoned at the Pointe Noire zoo, La Vielle arrived at Tchimpounga as an adult chimp who had suffered the loss of her mother and long periods of isolation. But her spirit endured, and…

As Gombe nears the end of its 55th year as the world’s longest-running study of chimpanzee behavior, the Jane Goodall Institute is looking toward the future. To save chimpanzees from the ever-growing threat of extinction, it is essential that the Jane Goodall Institute uses the best available science and tools to identify and implement the most effective conservation strategies and actions. By combining cutting-edge geospatial technologies and local knowledge on the ground, JGI and partners are able to develop conservation action plans that guide our conservation efforts on the ground to protect chimpanzees for years to come. Check out this…

Although chimpanzee mothers forge strong, often lifelong bonds with their infants, chimpanzee dads seem to be pretty hands-off when it comes to caring for their offspring. However, in the last few years there have been a few studies looking at what makes a “successful” chimpanzee father, and how a chimpanzee dad’s social rank can help or hinder their paternal success. In honor of Father’s Day, take a look at this round-up of studies, two of which came from research undertaken in Gombe National park, and learn more about chimpanzee fathers. Paternity and Social Rank in Wild Chimpanzees The researchers of…

World Environment Day is on June 5th, and the theme is Go Wild For Life: Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife Trade. So many endangered species fall victim to the illegal wildlife trade, and from the immense African elephant to the tiny pangolin, each animal taken from the wild to be trafficked is a significant loss to their species. At the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga sanctuary in the Republic of the Congo, we care for some of the most vulnerable victims of the illegal wildlife trade…young chimpanzees. Below are the stories of just a few of the over 150 chimpanzees…