Ecology and conservation of wild chimpanzees focusing on their stone tool use behaviors in West Africa

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K12264
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 64040:Social-ecological systems-related
• Research Institution: Chubu University
• Principal Investigator: Ohashi Gaku 中部大学, 人間力創成教育院, 准教授 (40533592)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: チンパンジー / 西アフリカ / 石器使用 / 里山 / 保護区外 / リベリア / ギニア / 肉食

Outline of Final Research Achievements

An ecological study was conducted on chimpanzees living in the forests of Kpala, Republic of Liberia, to analyze the characteristics related to stone tool use, based on the number of stone tools and geographical features. We also studied the chimpanzees' carnivorous behavior, and observed cases of chimpanzees in Kpala feeding on animals not preyed upon by a neighboring group. We suggested that chimpanzees may have acquired the pray images in their social environment, and we discussed this in relation to their cultural behavior.

Free Research Field

霊長類学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

リベリア共和国パラは保護区外であり、その地域に生息するチンパンジーが近隣集団とは異なる文化的特徴をもつことを明らかにした。チンパンジーを保全の対象とするリベリア政府に重要な情報を提供でき、当該地域への関心を高めることができた。またIUCNにおけるチンパンジーの文化的行動に関するワーキンググループにて、チンパンジー保全に関する議論を進めることができた。