Gorillas caught on tape

[Shell Beau]

revealing their use of tools.


The gorilla repeatedly prodded the stick ahead of her as if to test for depth (Image: Thomas Breuer)




Conservation workers have seen the first evidence for tool use in wild gorillas. One instance, caught on film in the Republic of Congo’s Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, involved a lowland gorilla using a metre-long stick to test the depth of water ahead of her as she cautiously waded into a swampy pool.

In contrast, most examples of tool use in great apes are related to food extraction and preparation. Researchers argue that this new type of tool use may be more widespread, and could hint at abstract reasoning.

Captive gorillas have been observed throwing objects and using sticks to extract food, but gorillas were the only great ape never seen using similar objects in the wild. Chimps frequently use twigs as dipping sticks to gather termites and rocks as hammers to crush nuts.

Researchers have speculated that gorillas were not seen using tools because they eat different food. But mountain gorillas have been seen using food-processing techniques of comparable complexity – such as intricately folding nettles and thistles to protect themselves from stinging spines.

They saw a female gorilla nicknamed Leah attempting to wade through a pool of water created by elephants. After quickly sinking waist deep, she got out of the water and picked up a metre-long stick, says Breuer. She then re-entered the water and repeatedly prodded the stick ahead of her as if to test for depth. She advanced about 10 metres before returning to her wailing infant on the edge of the pool.


http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8073&feedId=online-news_rss20


How cool is this? I knew they were smart and probably did use tools, but I am so thrilled to see it. It is so amazing!!! I love Gorillas. Aren't they so cute?

[Shell Beau]

1. Uh, yep, I will kick my thread this soon!

:P

[Shell Beau]

6. Well it seems no one cares about the gorillas. It is all

about the Brazilians today!! Go figure! :shrug:

[billyskank]

2. Animals aren't so thick

:)

[Shell Beau]

5. Most aren't anyway. Have you met my dog Hank?

He refuses to learn anything! :shrug: But he sure is sweet!

[billyskank]

9. Okay. *Most* animals aren't thick!

Some animals are! Seems reasonable, after all, some humans are pretty boneheaded too...

[Shell Beau]

10. Yeah I know!!

[tazkcmo]

3. News Flash

Monkey prods with a stick. Old news

[Shell Beau]

4. News flash for you

It has never been caught on tape! Now it has thank you very much. Did you even READ the article. It has been seen in chimps but not gorillas!

[StopTheMorans]

7. News Flash: douchebag alert

:wha eva:

[Shell Beau]

8. Thank you!!!