Chimpanzee builds tools similar to those of ancient hominids

Researchers at the University of Haifa in Israel have observed how a bonobo - a smaller species of chimpanzee - developed its own tools from rocks and pieces of wood to obtain food.

According to a report published by New Scientist, researchers studying Kanzi - the 30-year-old bonobo genius you can see in the video - often pose problems for the animal to observe how it performs. In the case of tools, the scientists handed Kanzi and another simian a small wooden log containing food hidden inside.

Smart approach

Although Kanzi's companion gave up opening his trunk after a few attempts, getting the food after smashing the object to the ground, Kanzi decided to employ a more sophisticated and long method to reach the food.

The bonobo developed several tools that allowed it to pull food out of not only one trunk but a total of 24 of them, while the other animal was able to do the same with only 2. Also, according to the researchers, one of the most impressive aspects With regard to the tools created by Kanzi is the resemblance to those used by ancient hominids thousands of years ago.

Source: New Scientist