Tool use in insect foraging by the chimpanzees of Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda

Abstract

Chimpanzee tool use for resource acquisition has been reported at numerous research sites. The chimpanzees of the Kibale Forest, western Uganda, have not previously been observed to use tools in foraging for insects. Here I report the first observation of tool use by the chimpanzees of the Ngogo community of Kibale National Park, Uganda, in insect foraging. Three adult females, one adolescent male, and one juvenile male were observed making and using tools to probe into a fallen dead tree to collect insect and wood pieces. I discuss the importance of this observation, and the behavioral similarities with chimpanzees from other sites.