Captive chimpanzee takes down a drone: tool use toward a flying object.
On 10 April 2015, a Dutch TV crew was filming at the Royal Burgers Zoo in Arnhem, The Netherlands. It was the intention to film the chimpanzees in the enclosure from close-by and from above with the means of a drone. When the drone came a bit closer to the chimpanzees, a female individual made two sweeps with a branch that she held in one hand. The second one was successful and downed the drone. The use of the stick in this context was a unique action. It seemed deliberate given the decision to collect it and carry it to a place where the drone might be attacked. This episode adds to the indications that chimpanzees engage in forward planning of tool-use acts.
Royal Burgers Zoo, Antoon van Hooffplein 1, 6816 SH, Arnhem, The Netherlands. jaramvanhooff@gmail.com.
Jan A R A M
JA
van Hooff
Royal Burgers Zoo, Antoon van Hooffplein 1, 6816 SH, Arnhem, The Netherlands.
Bas
B
Lukkenaar
D000401:Aircraft; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D009426:Netherlands; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D053001:Tool Use Behavior
Chimpanzee; Drone; Tool use; Weapon use