Photo by: Emily Richardson

Humans share an estimated 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees! In fact, biologically chimpanzees are more closely related to humans than they are to gorillas. To see how similar we are, one only needs to observe a chimpanzee’s anatomy and behaviors.

TOOL USE
In the 1960’s Jane Goodall, an English primatologist, discovered chimpanzees making and using tools for feeding and other activities. Today the term ‘Browse’ is used to describe the various twigs, leaves and other vegetation used by apes as tools and nesting materials. Browse is an essential item for captive chimpanzees as it provides them with the extra mental stimulation they need to keep their minds sharp and healthy. The ‘Browse’ allows them to simulate behaviors they would normally have in the wild.

FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS
There are many similarities between the structure and function of a chimpanzee’s brain compared with a human’s brain. They can express a wide range of emotions from fear to happiness and can feel the difference between mental and physical pain. Humans and chimpanzees are also similar in there capacity for learning. Chimps do not have a spoken language, which is one of the big differences between us. But many researchers have been able to teach chimpanzees in captivity to use sign language, some learning 300 signs or more.

BODY LANGUAGE AND THEIR SOCIETY
Their social behavior is extraordinary, especially their non-verbal communication. They express emotions much like humans do by kissing, embracing, patting on the back, holding hands, tickling, swaggering, and shaking their fist. The child raising process is also very similar to humans. The newborn chimp stays with the mother for many years, learning about life through observation and imitation. During this time close bonds are formed with the mother and with siblings.

GREAT APE RIGHTS
Because chimpanzees are so similar to us many groups like the Jane Goodall Institute and Great Ape Project are on a campaign to give individual rights to chimpanzees as well as other great apes. Even though we are alike in many ways non-human primates including the great apes are not recognized as persons and have no legal protection. As a result the use of chimpanzees in lab research and in entertainment is very common.

In 2004 there were 3,100 great apes in captivity that were used in movies, circuses, zoos, and laboratories. Usually the great apes are taken away from their mother’s at an early age and put in a sterile captive environment. They are subjected to countless experiments or harsh animal training, this type of care results in bad health and mental disabilities. If you would like to know more about captive great apes and the efforts to give them individual rights click on the organizations in the links section.

Resources for this article have been provided by Wikipedia and The Jane Goodall Institute