FULL DESCRIPTION:..... The role of imitation in chimpanzee tool use is explained by research conducted by Jane Goodall. Young chimps learn how to break twigs from trees, strip away the leaves, and insert them into termite holes by observing adults. The steps required to extract termites in this manner are lengthy and complex. Without the demonstrations of adults, many chimps would probably never become very successful termite fishers. However, part of the acquisition of this tool use appears to relate to innate characteristics of chimpanzee behaviour.
All young chimpanzees amuse themselves by playing with sticks and poking them into holes. It seems as though the chimps are able to observe the more skilled adults and translate their juvenile play into a successful means for securing food.
One of Dr. Goodall’s most important discoveries was that chimpanzees make and use tools, an activity long thought to be exclusive to humans. In 1960, at Gombe National Park, Jane observed two chimps pick up small twigs, strip off the leaves, and use them as tools to fish for termites in the ground, which they then swept into their mouths as a snack.
This was the first time that an animal, other than a human, was observed to modify an object to create a tool, and then use the tool for a specific purpose.
Until that time, scientists had thought that only humans used and made tools; it was considered the defining characteristic that separated us from other animals. Our species was defined as "Man the Tool Maker."
When Louis Leakey received an excited telegram from Jane describing her discoveries, he made his now famous response:
"Now we must redefine tool, redefine Man, or accept chimpanzees as humans."
- Dr. Louis Leakey -
<img src="http://www.janegoodall.ca/images/termite_mound_5_APN_000.JPG"alt="Smile"/><br/>
