New Discoveries Among Africa’s Chimpanzees — Archives Photo Gallery

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New Discoveries Among Africa's Chimpanzees

These photos and captions were published in the December 1965 National Geographic.

/1965/12/goodall/img/01-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-01.jpg Photograph by Hugo Van Lawick Chimpanzee beauty parlor: Apes indulge in a favorite pastime—mutual grooming. Jane Goodall has given names to many of her animal friends, for they have mannerisms and characteristics as distinctive as people's. Bald-shouldered Mr. McGregor inspects Leakey's hair, looking for flakes of dried skin and grass seeds. Flo (right) scans her son Figan, while baby Flint grabs at sister Fifi. Flint's birth brought Jane hurrying from England to study infant chimpanzee development in the wild.

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/02-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-02.jpg Photograph by Baron Hugo Van Lawick Cheek to cheek, four-year-old Fifi hangs from a limb with a female playmate, two-year-old Gilka (left), whose sex was unknown when she was named for National Geographic Director of Photography Robert E. Gilka. Like little girls, chimpanzees of Fifi's age play at being mothers, getting practice for the time—starting at 9 or 10—when they will have young.

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/03-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-03.jpg Photograph by Baron Hugo Van Lawick Little Flint introduces himself, but Mother Flo keeps a protective hold around his waist. Jane extends the back of her hand, fingers turned away, telling Flo that she intends no harm. The ten-month-old infant investigates with his lips, more sensitive than his fingers. Unable to make thumb and index finger meet, the chimpanzees grip with their lips "their fifth hand," in the author's words.

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/04-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-04.jpg Photograph by Baron Hugo Van Lawick Sucking his thumb, three-month-old Goblin lies cradled in Melissa's arm. A common sight among baby chimpanzees, thumb sucking occurs especially during teething. The first teeth appear at 12 to 15 weeks. Chimpanzee mothers suckle their offspring for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years.

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/05-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-05.jpg Photograph by Baron Hugo Van Lawick Figan and Marina greet each other with a kiss.

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/06-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-06.jpg Photograph by Baron Hugo Van Lawick Husband-and-wife team compiles a unique study of chimpanzees in the wild. On the recommendation of Dr. Leakey, the noted wild-animal photographer Baron Hugo van Lawick began filming Miss Goodall's work with the anthropoids in 1962. Although it took a year for the animals to become accustomed to Miss Goodall, after her pioneering effort they accepted the photographer in three months. The Dutch nobleman and British scientist were married in 1964. "Before we had even met," says the author, "Dr. Leakey decided Hugo would be a good husband for me. How right he was!"

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/07-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-07.jpg Photograph by Baron Hugo Van Lawick Scientist and subject romp outside the author's tent. Jane bursts into smiles as Figan pats and tickles the back of her neck. A few moments later she has her turn, tickling Figan under the chin. Unable to stand it any longer, he pushes her arm away with his foot. As strong as a grown man, Figan could easily hurt Jane. "He is much rougher with me," says Baron van Lawick. Of the adult animals, only David Greybeard allows their touch. However, many of the other big males have accepted the couple's presence. "Only when they lost all fear of us," the author reports, "did we feel safe among them. Then if we startled them or moved too close, they no longer threatened us with raised arms or with their savage wraa bark."

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/08-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-08.jpg Photograph by Hugo Van Lawick Drooping lip reveals sharp canine teeth of an adult male. More often, among apes in the wild, the canines are missing or broken off. Even when eating meat, chimpanzees suck the flesh rather than tear it like other animals.

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/09-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-09.jpg Photograph by Baron Hugo Van Lawick Gentle David Greybeard concentrates on bananas, while the author grooms his thick coat. On a banana binge, David has been known to stuff in 50 at a sitting, one after another.

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/10-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-10.jpg Photograph by Baron Hugo Van Lawick Termite anglers make their own fishing poles. Selecting a grass stalk, twig, or vine, chimpanzees poke the tool into the termite mound. After a few moments of prodding, they pull it out and pick off the clinging insects with their lips, as Flo does here.

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/11-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-11.jpg Photograph by Baron Hugo Van Lawick Symbol of support: National Geographic Society flag. The author holds it up for David Greybeard's inspection. David decided not to chew on it—it was too clean.

]]> /1965/12/goodall/img/12-714.jpg /1965/12/goodall/img/gombe-60-12.jpg Photograph by Baron Hugo Van Lawick Reward for five years of patience and courage: a young chimpanzee confidently takes the hand of his first human friend.

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