#chimpanzees

#chimpanzees

The new findings published Wednesday in Science Advances support the "drunken monkey" hypothesis, the idea that humans got our taste for alcohol from our primate ancestors. Now, the same UC Berkeley biologist who developed that theory has revealed in this new study just how much ethanol - the intoxicating ingredient in our cocktails - chimps might consume.

Fifteen years ago in a sanctuary in Zambia, inspiration struck a chimpanzee named Julie, who introduced the behavior of placing grass in her ear, leading to cultural tradition within her group.

Freymann and her colleagues uncovered evidence that chimpanzees in Budongo Forest practice self-medication and first aid on themselves and others, raising questions about their empathy.

Chimpanzees drum with regular rhythm, indicating an ancient communication method shared with humans, showcasing the deep evolutionary roots of rhythmic expression.

"Right off the bat, they were just enamored with the ladies in the group," says Rana Smith, highlighting the new social dynamics at Chimp Haven for Al and Kamaka.