“The following notes, based on information provided by IUCN Red List, will provide a greater understanding as to how this magnificent creature is doing in the face of rapid population expansion of another great ape, Homo sapiens. I have encountered chimpanzees in several areas in Africa, and continue to be fascinated by them. “These encounters took place in Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains National Park, and I was lucky enough to be accompanying a small party of Africa Geographic safari clients. The big male seemed crestfallen, confused even, as he gazed after her. After several attempts, she permitted a few seconds of gentle (for him) patting before nudging him aside and ambling off with her baby. He cringed, adjusted his strategy and tried again – same result. The mother slapped his hand and gave him a look that would instantly freeze boiling water. A mother was nursing a tiny infant, and this same large male approached her and tried to touch the baby. “This naked savagery was in sharp contrast to what we had witnessed the previous day. My group and I were wallpaper to the drama, wary observers, ignored. Thirty seconds later, it was all over, as the cacophony subsided into whimpers and then silence.
#EASTERN CHIMPANZEE MORTALITY RATE FULL#
Smaller chimps were flung about by their limbs and larger members charged about like hillbillies in a barroom brawl, pant-hooting and screaming at full volume. Chaos ensued as the entire troop erupted into a melee of gratuitous violence. “With no warning or apparent reasoning, he went charging off into the forest, screaming hysterically and attacking other troop members. A vocal chimp in Kibale National Park, Uganda © Fi Goodall (Photographer of the Year 2018 entrant) Being first in the path, I stepped aside and into the thick forest understory, holding my breath as 50kg of muscle and sinew brushed past me. “He then gave a heaving sigh and swaggered towards us, gangster-like.
The rest of the troop were spread about us, a fair distance away in the forest understorey, quietly relaxing and socialising. He knew we were waiting because every few minutes he would glance our way disdainfully. My party and I were waiting it out, aware that it was us who were intruding on his territory and home. “The alpha male chimp was sitting in the forest path ahead, staring into the distance in a melancholy way as if contemplating life’s challenges, chin resting on balled fist.
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