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Tag: chimpanzees

Bob Barker Still Saving Animals

Bob Barker is still saving animals around the world. He recently donated $230,000 to help relocate a family of chimpanzees to Chimp Haven, a chimpanzee rescue center.

'Primate Cinema' – Artist Makes Social Drama for Apes (and Humans Too) [VIDEO]

A group of chimpanzees at the Edinburgh Zoo was recently treated to a series of televised “social dramas” featuring ape-costumed human actors*. One particular episode featured a young female “city ape” befriending a group of outsiders. The reactions from the chimp viewing audience were most intriguing — they “ape” some very human-type reactions to similar social situations, including puzzlement and anger (note: real chimps also appear in the filmed drama). It’s all part of an unique art project called ‘Primate Cinema: Apes as Family’, conceived of by artist Rachel Mayeri, working in collaboration with comparative psychologist Dr Sarah-Jane Vick.

First Global 'Camera Trap' Study Reveals Threatened Mammal Species' Lives, Damaged Habitats

With over 50, 000 photos (and counting) capturing over 100 mammal species from seven protected areas across Africa, Asia and the Americas…a global ‘hidden camera” research project is giving conservation biologists a rare glimpse into the ordinary lives of many endangered or threatened mammal species.The camera study, conducted by The Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network (TEAM), is helping to confirm what smaller, isolated studies have indicated: that habitat destruction is jeopardizing the biological integrity and diversity of many of the world’s mammals.

Human Virus Linked to Deaths of Two Mountain Gorillas

A form of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been identified as the likely cause of death in two mountain gorillas, an infant and adult female, following an outbreak of respiratory disease that hit Rwanda in 2009. The source of the virus is unknown and an unknown number of other gorillas may be carrying the virus. Due to the genetic compatibility of humans and gorillas, wildlife biologists have long feared and predicted the spread of human diseases into this critically endangered population. Now, it appears, their worst fears may have come true.