Chimpanzees of Sapo Forest, Liberia: Density, nests, tools and meat-eating

Two months were spent surveying for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in the Sapo Forest, eastern Liberia. The population density, as estimated from the number of nests found on transects, appears lower than that in other forest sites. Nests were more similar to those of other forest-living chimpanzees than of a savannah population. Most nests were found in areas of primary forest. Evidence was found of the chimpanzees using stones as hammers to break open four species of nut; there may be differences in materials and techniques used in this behaviour between Sapo chimpanzees and those in Tai Forest, Ivory Coast. Analysis of faeces revealed that Sapo chimpanzees eat meat. © 1983 Japan Monkey Centre.