Chimpanzees begging and dancing for food, Bamako zoo, Mali, July 2010, filmed by C. Abegg

There are three chimpanzees in Bamako zoo, in Mali. Wild chimpanzees can still be found in the southwestern part of Mali, but are hunted for food on most of their present range. In one sequence, a chimpanzee is dancing to please human and obtain food and beverage. It is not known if this behavoir was acquired through training by human or by individual insight.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Chimpanzee
• captivité
• Bamako
• Mali

[zoungi]

Great news, I was recently in Bamako but did not manage to check them again.

[bookishfilly]

This hurts my heart. Those conditions are disgusting! Another example of how wild animals are exploited for profit.

[zoungi]

@bookishfilly

Zoos should be used as a pedagogical tool in order to advertize among local citizens the existence and needs of wild animals in their natural habitats. In more favorable conditions, animals in zoos can be the ambassadors of their wild counterparts.

[UrbaneGent]

Thank you for posting such rare footage. The conditions are deplorable - this is the first time I have ever seen a chimp dance around like that for food...unless he was a pet at first. Thank you for posting.

[zoungi]

@UrbaneGent I will definitely check the history of this chimpanzee if I go back to Bamako zoo, it would be interesting to know. Help poor countries to renovate their zoos would also be a good idea.

[sarahmash101065]

@bookishfilly oh grow up

[sarahmash101065]

@UrbaneGent  i thought the conditions were ok. certainly better than a lab, or small cage-at least it can move enough to dance

[sarahmash101065]

i so dislike chimps

[bongos56]

they now have new enclosure and are all in together, they have natural substrate, things to climb on and very good diet. this is part of the renovation of the zoo