04/17/2025
Take a tip from Jane Goodall:
"So if you want to study primates, you must go to their “hang-outs.” Habituating them to your presence becomes necessary. The primatologist is much like the cultural anthropologist: he or she seeks to be accepted into a foreign society, not as a member, but as an observer. Primatologists strive to be ignored while they observe and record events. Whether the study subjects are human or nonhuman primates, the new observer may experience a period of intense scrutiny, and may receive both threatening and friendly behaviour before being able to work without altering subject behaviour."
"Intentionally using food to habituate primates can also pose a risk. Researchers have planted sugar cane to attract wild apes, such as chimpanzees in Mahale, Tanzania, and bonobos in Wamba, Democratic Republic of Congo. While provisioning makes habituation easier, it does create new problems in that it changes the behaviour of the animals. It is also worthy to note that because primates are our closest relatives, they are particularly susceptible to many of our diseases."
“Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” Dr. Jane Goodall
