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New observations on the tool-behavior of chimpanzees from Mt. Assirik (Senegal, West Africa)

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Abstract

The tool-behavior of chimpanzees were studied at the Mt. Assirik, in the Parc National du Niokolo-Koba, Senegal from December 1982 to June 1983 and from February 1985 to January 1986. Five leaf-stalks to obtain termites ofMacrotermes subhyalinus species and four sticks to obtain honey (this is the first report on the use of tools to obtain honey by wild chimpanzees in far western Africa) were found; we also report the first evidence of tools probably used as hammers to break open hard-shelled fruits ofAdansonia digitata. We conclude that Mt. Assirik chimpanzees provide evidence of a certain cultural behavior related to the use of stones.

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Bermejo, M., Illera, G. & Sabater-Pí, J. New observations on the tool-behavior of chimpanzees from Mt. Assirik (Senegal, West Africa). Primates 30, 65–73 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02381211

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02381211

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