For a long time I have been interested in scientific studies of our distant relatives, the apes. Aside from the interesting genetic discoveries that indicate less than one gene actually determines whether we swing from branches or manage them, it has been most gratifying to see that come of them make and use primitive (but still clever) tools and have social orders not unlike some of our own.
Imagine my surprise this morning
when I heard the announcement of a recent study indicating that male
chimpanzees pay females for sexual favours with bits of meat!
This most certainly means some profound things, for instance that these creatures we call 'animals' have reasoning skills far greater than we have credited them with. I mean, they have been known to be able to communicate clearly using taught sign language, to use tools and even tree branches as weapons to settle differences.
Recently a chimp at a zoo was
mentioned as stacking up rocks to throw at annoying tourists from his zoo pen
daily - indicating the ability to plan ahead (to say nothing of harboring
resentment). Now it seems they understand a great deal more than hitherto assumed,
concepts which were regarded as being reserved for supposedly more intelligent
apes - such as basic commerce, profit, exploitation, bribery, greed - and now
bedroom politics as well.
What an earth shattering revelation! This discovery could revolutionize everything from anthropology right through to medical, social and religious studies!
Perhaps it might even foster the realization that apes (like very many other non-human animals) are also SENTIENT, like us. Non-verbal perhaps, but aware - and aware of everything being done to them.
Yes, I can see it all happening
already - disgruntled and zealous missionaries trooping down to the local zoos
and into forests in search of chimpanzees and gorillas to start converting them
to the straight (and inevitably) narrow path (I wouldn't put it past them).
I can visualize bush classes being
conducted using sign language with a 'free' banana or two for those chimps who
understand why prostitution is wrong (even if it is done for meat and not paper
money) and why the 'missionary' position is supposedly better than doing it in
the top branches of a tree, upside-down, or while swinging from a vine.
My, my, my. How far we have strayed from the trees.
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