Do chimpanzees eat monkeys? Yes, chimpanzees love eating monkeys, and only the tree-dwelling species. They prey on red colobus monkeys. Some chimps are known to prey on bush babies. The chimps also eat other mammals, like bush pigs, baby baboons and baby bushbucks etc. Also, they find bird eggs and chicks quite delicious. Chimp diet also incorporates some insects they find edible. Nevertheless, majority of chimp diet constitutes fruits especially paw paws, bananas, and wild figs; leaves; roots and flowers. Feeding time may take even 7 hours, while high up in the trees. Appropriate time for foraging is either in the early morning hours or later in the afternoon.

Why do Chimpanzees eat Monkeys?

One reason why chimpanzees love to eat monkeys is the meat they provide. This is rich in high-quality protein and other essential nutrients that are difficult to obtain from a plant-based diet. Benefits of proteins include growth support, reproduction and better health. Also chimpanzees may hunt for monkeys to simply compensate for nutritional shortfalls in the forest. Sometimes, their usual food sources including fruits are rather scarce. Therefore, monkey meat provides concentrated protein, fats, and key micronutrients that fill the dietary needs in periods of low food availability. Chimpanzees are therefore adaptable despite the fact that they love vegetables more.

Another reason is to share some of the meat with females. A behavior such as this is linked to increased chances of mating. Meanwhile, this could also strengthen social bonds thus making the females more receptive to mate with the ones who provided it. Therefore, chances of getting offspring is increased with this alone. Lastly, chimpanzee males often share meat among themselves as part of their social exchanges. Alliances are built this way, thus strengthening group relationships. Such cooperative bonds are advantageous when it comes to territorial defense and conflict resolution. Some do this to compete for status within the chimpanzee community.

How do Chimpanzees hunt them?

Chimpanzees normally hunt at day time and in either a group, or solo. Hunting is mostly by males, each with a major role. First, they will patrol their home range for prey, e.g. red colobus monkeys. Even up to 26 chimpanzees will team up and set up an ambush for the monkey in the forest. For instance, some will herd the monkey in a specific direction, without actually trying to catch it. At the bottom of the trees, there is another chimpanzee(s), well positioned to block the prey. Some can also climb up the tree to block the monkey in case it has taken a different direction.

Now, there are the chasers, those who are in charge of pursuing and isolating the monkey to surely catch it. Then, some chimpanzees hide and rush to ambush as soon as they notice that the monkey is almost close. Finally, they will catch and kill their prey. Of course they might fail sometimes. But, when successful, the meat is distributed to all the participants in the hunting party. Some bystanders can be given the meat as well. It is important to notice that regardless of this being a male activity, female chimpanzees also hunt. They do this solitary, though. Some female hunt alongside the males. However, if they catch and kill a red colobus monkey, the food is mostly taken away from her by an adult male.

Where to see Chimpanzees?

East Africa offers a variety of interesting destinations where chimpanzees live in the wild. Any selection you make just simply offers breathtaking chimpanzee encounters. In Uganda, Kibale National Park is mostly known for chimpanzee trekking and habituation tours. It is situated in the western region of the country. Kyambura Gorge is another chimpanzee trekking destination, found inside Queen Elizabeth National Park. Other Ugandan places where you can track and see chimpanzees in the wild include Bugoma, Budongo and Kalinzu forests.

Rwanda is a great country that also offers amazing chimpanzee encounters in the forest. Two destinations currently house populations of chimpanzees that can be seen. Nyungwe National Park offers perfect chimpanzee tracking adventures. The Cyamudongo forest just continuous with the park offers the best chimpanzee treks for visitors. However, Uwinka is a sector inside Nyungwe Forest where thrilling treks can be done. Gishwati-Mukura National Park is another destination where chimpanzees live in the wild.

Tanzania is an underrated home for chimpanzee populations that deserve to be seen. Head to Gombe National Park to see chimpanzees in a forest that hosted the famous Dr. Jane Goodall. Gombe is situated on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, the longest freshwater lake in the world. Also, at the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika is Mahale Mountains National Park. This is the second destination in Tanzania where you can see chimpanzees in their natural homes. Majority of the mentioned forests also shelter the red colobus monkeys. Therefore, you might witness the chimpanzees hunting for the monkeys during your visit.