Great Ape Language There has been continuous great ape language research for the past few decades. What has this research told us about language in our closest relatives? What can future research reveal about the origins of language and communication throughout the animal kingdom? Cadell Last and Travis Steffens discuss. Full Podcast: Great Ape Language … Continue reading Great Ape Language
Tag: great apes
Chimpanzee Trafficking
Chimpanzee Trafficking Chimpanzee trafficking is a growing problem throughout the world. Wild chimpanzees are taken from their troops illegally and sold overseas to zoos, hotels, and medical facilities in Europe, Asia, and North America. Trafficking adds to the litany of problems chimpanzees already face, making it difficult to ensure their safety and survival in the … Continue reading Chimpanzee Trafficking
A Great Crisis
A Great Crisis Social scientists have established that humans experience a U-shaped happiness curve throughout their life. Middle-aged individuals seem to be less happy than other individuals regardless of socio-cultural or economic factors. A recent study has revealed that this may be a shared pattern with great apes. Over 508 captive chimpanzees and orangutans were … Continue reading A Great Crisis
Communicating With Bonobos
Communicating With Bonobos Panbanisha (Nov 17, 1985-Nov 6, 2012) died recently from a cold at The Great Ape Trust. Her entire life was a linguistic experiment that taught us a great deal about the linguistic capabilities of apes, and also what separates our species from the great apes. Future research into the origins of language, … Continue reading Communicating With Bonobos
The State of Things
The State of Things African great ape populations are facing several anthropogenic threats (e.g., hunting, disease transmission, habitat loss). A recent study has revealed that habitat loss may be the most critical and is a far larger threat than previously believed by experts. If the rate of habitat loss continues to increase, the African great … Continue reading The State of Things
Decoding Our Family
Decoding Our Family In 2000 we sequenced the human genome. Over the past decade primatologists have decoded the genome of all great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and orangutans). Now we can compare, contrast and learn more about our genetic relationship with our closest relatives. Throughout that time we have learned a tremendous amount about their … Continue reading Decoding Our Family
Among African Apes
Among African Apes What is it like to be a primatologist? There are several misconceptions and many people are interested in our closest relatives, but few people know exactly what it's like to conduct a primate field survey. Among African Apes transports you into the researchers world and introduces you to several important aspects of … Continue reading Among African Apes