CHIMPANZEES' INTELLIGENCE IS A CHALLENGE FOR US

 

Claudio

 

Local onde estava o tronco e depois encontado na cerca
local donde estaba el tronco y despues inclinado en la cerca

CHIMPANZEES' INTELLIGENCE IS A CHALLENGE FOR US

SOROCABA SANCTUARY

Recently, during a TV programme shooting at the Sanctuary, to TV Globo - Mogi das Cruzes - the presenter asked us about the strict security that he observed on the enclosures, with the use of high walls, triple electric fence etc. I explained to him that we deal with extremely intelligent beings - as humans - and pointed the fact that if we give them a key, they would open all the doors locks, and it was an instrument, they would use it to find the way to get out the place they are maintained.

A few days ago we had the proof of what chimpanzees are able to do and of the reason why the trees that are planted in some enclosures are electrified in order for them not to access them or use their branches as tools. The same way we do not leave big pieces of wood in the enclosures, not to be used as tools as well.

Claudio is almost 7 years old and he is with us practically since he was born. He is son of Lulu and Gilberto, who are with us too. However, he was raised as an organ by Guga's group. A few days ago he was behind the electric fence in which there were some parts of trees that are already dry but are still alive. We use these to put strings and hoses used by them to play.

Since the early hours Claudio was trying to pull one of the trees out, moving it with force. I entered with him and the group in the enclosure, but I did not think he would achieve his goal. Minutes later the keeper Nana told me that Claudio had been able to pull out the trunk - which I would not be able carry alone - and took it to the fence's border, in order to lean over it and run away. He knows that wood avoids shocks. We managed to isolate everyone in a tunnel in order to enter and take the trunk out of the enclosure, and cut off another one that was ready to be pulled out.

In these photos we try to simulate what he performed in order to demonstrate why it is necessary stiffness in the security when you deal with chimpanzees.

Dr. Pedro A. Ynterian
Director of GAP Project International