Gashaka Gumpti - In the Forest of the Apes (4/35)

Gashaka Gumpti - In the Forest of the Apes (4/35)

The Nigerian National Park Gashaka Gumpti is an extremely remote area, not without danger - but an ideal region for apes and their researchers. These scientists have set up camp here to study the behaviour of chimpanzees, baboons, guenons and colobuses. Life is hard for the researchers in the forest of the apes, particularly at the beginning when it involved much arduous detective work and trail-seeking. Yet, to realise their aim it was worth it: for years the scientists had to observe the animals from a distance until they had gained the confidence of some of these ape families. Now that they have achieved this, the researchers are able to gain insight into the private family life of the primates. They have reached an understanding of what life in a baboon family means. And they were able to observe how resolutely and systematically some animals pursue their aims in the group - and what fears and anxieties this causes others.