Photo by: Purwo Kuncoro

Blog

10.04.11

Welcome: John Mitani and Terry Harrison have joined the SEC

The Leakey Foundation
We are pleased to announce the addition of two esteemed scientists as the newest members of our Scientific Executive Committee (SEC): Terry Harrison and John Mitani. We’d like to welcome them to the Committee and thank them for their essential contribution to our mission. The SEC is the heart of the Leakey Foundation’s scientific direction. It consists of a group of scientists chosen to review… more »
08.11.11

Welcome Baby “Pistache”

The Leakey Foundation
During The Leakey Foundation 2011 Annual Auction and Dinner, Foundation Trustee Mrs. Carolyn Farris bid on and won the “naming rights” for the next chimpanzee born at the Fongoli site in Senegal. Fongoli, which is run by Leakey Grantee Jill Pruetz, is home to a unique group of chimpanzees that have adapted to living in a savanna environment, often seen by Pruetz and her team hunting bush babies… more »
07.25.11

Notes from the Field with Jill Pruetz

In the News
Chimps on the savanna in Senegal.

July 2011 at Fongoli:

Predators and Prey

by Jill Pruetz, Leakey Grantee Some exciting events have occurred this month, including quite a bit of predation attempts by the Fongoli chimps as well as an encounter with a potential predator. So far this year, we’ve recorded 37 tool-assisted hunting attempts on galago (or bushbaby) prey. This behavior peaks at the beginning of … more »
07.21.11

Toshisada Nishida: In Memoriam

The Leakey Foundation
Nishida with chimp Toshibo Along with scores of others in the primatology field, The Leakey Foundation mourns the passing of Dr. Toshisada Nishida. Dr. Nishida was a pioneer in the study of chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains of Tanzania. He first began his field work in 1965; his research, mentoring and encouragement of other primatologists continued until his passing in June of this year. His contributions… more »
06.13.11

Leakey Grantee Publication Alert: Sarah Mathew

Grantee Spotlight
Leakey Foundation Grantee Sarah Mathew was published in today’s PNAS Early Edition. She was awarded a research grant by The Leakey Foundation in 2009. Her dissertation research examines how the Turkana, an acephalous pastoral society in East Africa, solve the collective action problem in warfare. She also examines the scale of cooperation and norms in Turkana warfare, to evaluate the role of … more »
05.02.11

More Q&A with Sosthene Habumuremyi

In the News
This is the fourth in a series of posts about Sosthene Habumuremyi’s dissertation research on the hormonal correlations of socio-sexual behaviors in female mountain gorillas. Sosthene’s research project combines behavioral data collected in the field with hormonal data analyzed in the lab. The results of this study will characterize the specific behavioral patterns around the time … more »
04.12.11

Studying Hormonal Stimuli in Mountain Gorillas Yields Many Clues

Grantee Spotlight, From the Field, Behind the Science, Guest Post, Education
By Sosthene Habumuremyi My study has gathered data on mating behavior, solicitations, and any displays/aggression from adult males towards the females. Sexual swellings, which are extremely small in gorillas, are also noted. The plan is to monitor at least 6 nulliparous (never having given birth to offspring) females and 10 cycling parous (given birth to offspring at least once) females for 2 cycles … more »
04.04.11

The hormonal correlations of socio-sexual behaviors in female mountain gorillas

Education

By Sosthene Habumuremyi

The overall goal of this study is to investigate the hormonal correlates of socio-sexual behaviors in female mountain gorillas. Specifically, we want to understand the variation observed in mating strategies and fertility parameters among female mountain gorillas. By using hormonal data, we want to know if this variation is governed by internal stimuli. For a detailed analysis,… more »