They’re Gaining On Us (2)

A while ago, I noted this development:

No fewer than 22 times, researchers documented wild chimpanzees on an African savanna fashioning sticks into ‘spears’ to hunt small primates... In each case a chimpanzee modified a branch by breaking off one or two ends and, frequently, using its teeth to sharpen the stick. The ape then jabbed the spear into hollows in tree trunks where bush babies sleep... Anthropologist and study co-author Paco Bertolani witnessed... a chimpanzee successfully extract a bush baby with a spear.

Now, via Dr Westerhaus, comes more news from the animal kingdom:

A male chimpanzee in a Swedish zoo planned hundreds of stone-throwing attacks on zoo visitors, according to researchers. Keepers at Furuvik Zoo found that the chimp collected and stored stones that he would later use as missiles. Further, the chimp learned to recognise how and when parts of his concrete enclosure could be pulled apart to fashion further projectiles.

The findings are reported in the journal Current Biology. There has been scant evidence in previous research that animals can plan for future events. Crucial to the current study is the fact that Santino, a chimpanzee at the zoo in the city north of Stockholm, collected the stones in a calm state, prior to the zoo opening in the morning. The launching of the stones occurred hours later - during dominance displays to zoo visitors - with Santino in an “agitated” state. This suggests that Santino was anticipating a future mental state - an ability that has been difficult to definitively prove in animals.

I know. If they learn to make fire, we’re screwed.

Comments

[Anna]

"Give me the power of man's red flower so I can be like you."

[Mark]

I'm reminded of the picture you keep at the top of this blog David...

[David]

It’s not just for decoration. It’s a stern warning of things to come.

[Bob-B]

They'll be blogging next!

[Francis@sedgemore.com]

"They'll be blogging next!"

Doesn't that mark the end-stage of civilisation?

[AntiCitizenOne]

Thinking ahead far enough to throw stones at those who feed and protect them.

They're academic monkeys!

[KB Player]

They're forming alliances with other species. Weren't you on the side of that Swedish chimp against the visitors? Weren't you shouting Go for it! when he lobbed his missiles at the gawpers? How can we smuggle him in something with a bit more fire power?

[Peter Risdon]

"They'll be blogging next!"

I'm sure I've seen their work somewhere.

[Anna]

"Doesn't that mark the end-stage of civilisation?"

Ours or theirs?

[Karen M]

"It's a stern warning of things to come."
http://www.ipadrblog.com/uploads/image/planet_of_the_apes_ending_2.jpg

[TDK]

Rubbish

I have it on good authority that in the wild apes live in Elysian Vegan Matriarchal non-hierarchical paradises. It's only when we put them in zoos or observe them in the wild that they behave like homo sapiens.

Clearly the stone throwing is a protest against anthropogenic hegemony - if he had tanks and planes he would use them.

[TDK]

Bah! Typepad

Tanks and planes had a link to an certain ex-major.

[TimT]

"They'll be blogging next."

Actually, they already are:
http://10000monkeys.wordpress.com/
http://10kmonkeys.blogspot.com/
Also publishing:
http://www.tenthousandmonkeys.com/
Also, writing poetry:
http://www.blackjelly.com/Mag2/features/tenthousndsonnets.htm

Hold me!

[Mark]

"I have it on good authority that in the wild apes live in Elysian Vegan Matriarchal non-hierarchical paradises."

Matriarchal yet non-hierarchical groups?
Eh, I'm sure some postmodernist can explain :P .

[TDK]

I'm sure ONLY a Post Modernist can explain.

[TDK]

Perhaps I presume too much. You need to read about Margaret Mead et al.

Here for example

http://www.rickross.com/reference/wicca/wicca31.html