New Study in Senegal Reveals How Chimps Rely on Memory to Locate Ant Nests
A study conducted in Senegal’s Dindefelo Community Nature Reserve has found that wild chimpanzees rely on memory to locate underground ant nests, rather than discovering them by chance. Published in Nature , the research monitored chimpanzees' feeding behaviour over five years, recording 679 visits to four nests. Of the 34 identified individuals, 23 revisited nest sites at least once, supporting the theory that they remember specific locations rather than searching randomly.
The findings also highlight the chimpanzees' use of multiple senses—sight, touch, smell, and taste—to inspect and detect inhabited nests. Given that the western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus ) is critically endangered, the study underscores the importance of conserving gallery forests, where both chimpanzees and key food sources such as army ants are concentrated. Researchers suggest that protecting these habitats is crucial for the survival of the species in Senegal’s dry and seasonal landscapes.
Source: Mongabay
