A group of chimpanzees at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland have been handed special cameras in order to capture footage for a BBC2 nature documentary called "The Chimpcam Project," playing across the pond.
After Primatologist Betsy Herrelko came up with the idea, each of the eleven furry primates was handed -- wait for it -- a Chimpcam (housed inside a box for protection) in order to record as much of a first-hand portrayal as humanly possible, documenting their lifestyle in an eighteen-month-long study for the two-part series.
Stars of the doc include Cindy, Ricky, Emma, David, Kilimi, Kindia, Liberius, Lucy, Lyndsey, and Qafzeh, all of whom we like to think are famous enough to not need last names. (Also, they're chimps).
Posts tagged "chimps"
Photo: GAB Archive, Redferns / Getty Images
Bubbles, of all of Jackson's pets, was probably the closest to Jackson. His 1985 adoption of the chimp from a Texas research facility, and the subsequent bond between man and ape became a key part of the singer's eccentric persona. Bubbles often was seen at Jackson's side as a member of Jackson's entourage during the peak of the entertainer's fame in the 1980s. He attended concerts, album recording sessions, and tea parties at Elizabeth Taylor's house. That is, when he wasn't kicking it in high style at Jackson's Neverland ranch, practicing his moonwalk.
Now in his mid-twenties, Bubbles still lives a stylish life, although much less in the blinding spotlight of his glitzy early years. As he matured, Bubbles became too aggressive for domestic life with the Jackson family and was given to a California-based animal trainer who later entrusted the chimp's care to the Center for Great Apes, a sanctuary for "retired" apes in Wauchula, Florida, where he resides today.
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Despite the sad tale of Travis and other news about the dangers of living with a primate – let's be honest: what animal lover hasn't always wanted to own a chimp? Besides being adorable, what other pet is going to laugh at your jokes?
The Great Ape Project estimates that more than 500 chimps are owned by private individuals in the U.S. The numbers got us wondering – what are the pros and cons of inviting a monkey into your life?
Pros
- They're great company! Chimpanzee lovers find they can share activities, such as dining at the table, recreation, and even basic crafts like painting, that are not possible with non-primate animals. Their superior intelligence makes chimps feel more like friends than the traditional pet-owner relationship.
- Nothing's cooler than a chimp Whether you're out for a walk with your new best buddy, or throwing a party at home, pimpin' your chimp will be just golden for your social life; especially if your chimp is a chimp-lebrity!
- They're family! Chimps are estimated to share as much as 98% of our DNA. And their communications skills are so advanced that a few individuals (like the famous Washoe) have even been able to learn elements of American Sign Language.
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