One of the reasons people are so fascinated by chimpanzees is that they are like us in many ways. Baby chimps laugh when they are tickled by their mothers. Like human babies, they need lots of affection and spend a lot of time playing. After a fight, chimpanzees might kiss and make up. To comfort one another, chimps give a hug or a pat on the back. Chimpanzees have strong family ties. They are smart. They make and use tools. Like people, they have the ability to plan ahead. Chimpanzees are more closely related to people than they are to even gorillas! As humans, we share 98.4% of DNA with chimpanzees, so you can see why it is important for us to get to know our cousins in the wild.
Photo credit: © Hugo van Lawick /the Jane Goodall Institute.
Along with humans, chimpanzees belong to the order of animals called primates. This group also includes bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, gibbons, siamangs, monkeys, lemurs, and bush babies. Bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans are called GREAT APES. Gibbons and siamangs are called LESSER APES.
Chimpanzees,
along with many other primates, are ENDANGERED. Their future depends on
humans learning to live in harmony with them. People need to become much
better at sharing the planet with chimpanzees and other animals.
