Just like us

Our primate relatives share many traits with us, from making friends to making their bed

Chimpanzees are charismatic and highly intelligent beings that live in a similar way to us. Studies have shown they develop intricate social structures and are keen to make friends, as well as climb the social ladder to gain positions of authority within their groups.

In the same way humans make their beds each day (or at least they should), chimpanzees make a fresh sleeping nest high up in the trees every evening, constructed out of leaves. They also show emotional intelligence and are very caring toward members of their community, looking after each other’s young should they become orphaned or abandoned. Groups will form bonds with neighbouring groups and share food supplies in times of adversity.

There are four subspecies split by location: central, west African, Nigeria-Cameroon, and eastern chimpanzees. There is little physical difference between them, but different communities of chimpanzee have their own cultures and habits that they learn from their elders and pass on to younger generations.

With such a striking resemblance between man and ape, in both personality and looks, it is incredibly sad that the demise of our primate cousins is mainly down to our actions.