Male chimpanzees are constantly portrayed as aggressive and dominating.
But long-term research conducted at Gombe has shown that they can also form deep, caring, and loving bonds. One study has shown that chimpanzee fathers provide essential care for their own children.
Photo: Hugo van Lawick
In this archival footage, you can see Dilly grooming Beethoven. The capacity that chimpanzees have for care, empathy, and connection runs deep.
Jane Goodall Institute researchers continue to observe chimpanzees at Gombe, which is where Dr. Jane made her observations and transformed science forever.
Fun fact: Born in 1972, Wilkie has been an important figure in the research that Dr. Jane conducted at Gombe.
Dr. Jane has observed his remarkable journey from infancy to fathering more than 10 offspring – giving him the record for the most known offspring at Gombe.
Photo: Michael Neugebauer
One of our partners, The Outdoor Learning School and Store, has put together some Indigenous learning resources that are accessible to everyone: outdoorlearning.com/indigenous-l...
Our own Canada Programs team has also developed this list – made up of thoughtful ways you can mark the day.
Did you know that male chimpanzees are dutiful fathers?
In the early 1990s, the team observed that when an infant chimpanzee named Dilly lost her mom, Beethoven took on the sole parenting responsibilities – carrying her, sharing food, sleeping beside her, and protecting her.
Video: Bill Wallauer
Wilkie passed away in 2013, but his legacy is carried forward by his children.
His life and contributions continue to provide valuable insights into the social dynamics of chimpanzees and the profound connections that we, as humans, share with them.
Documenting socially complex individuals – including the two chimpanzees seen here – shows us that the more we learn, the more we can understand just how similar chimpanzees and humans are.
Today marks National Indigenous Peoples Day – and people are celebrating Indigenous Peoples, communities, traditions, languages, cultures, and wisdom.
However you get involved, let us all commit to creating a world where everyone is respected, is celebrated, and can thrive.
Photo: Crissy Armstrong
Have you seen this recently-discovered chameleon species? Introducing "Nadzikabia goodallae" – named for the one and only Dr. Jane!
Scientists observed this animal in the sky island forests of Mozambique, which are isolated granite mountains that are home to many unique species.
