NEW YORK: In 2007, a study about the hunting behaviors of Fongoli chimpanzees made headlines after researchers found out that they use hunting tools to do so. The Fongoli chimpanzees were the only mammals known to do so, other than humans.
Fongoli chimpanzees are found in the southern part of Senegal.
In a continuing effort to understand the hunting behaviors of Fongoli chimpanzees, researchers continued to monitor them. Continued study revealed another interesting fact about the group, the female Fongoli chimpanzees are the one that normally uses hunting tools called chimps hinting spears.
In their paper published today in the Royal Society Open Science, the researchers said that female Fongoli chimpanzees use spears when hunting more than their male counterparts.
“In a number of primate species, females are the innovators and more frequent tool users,” the researchers wrote.
The researchers believe that the female Fongoli chimpanzees are trying to become more resourceful because they cannot use both hands as they always have their babies on their back.
Jill Pruetz, lead author of the study explained that “The tools (spears) are made from living tree branches that are detected and then modified by removing all side branches and leaves, as well as the flimsy terminal end of the branch.”
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