THE CHIMPANZEES OF BOSSOU AND THE INSTITUTE

The West African chimpanzee has already become extinct in four countries in the West African region. Today Guinea is one of the countries with the most chimpanzees in the sub-region; Bossou, in addition to becoming a site dedicated to long-term research on wild African chimpanzees, is therefore very symbolic and essential for the preservation of this threatened species.

Considered as one of the totem animals (animals that should not be killed, let alone eaten) by the Manon ethnic group (the inhabitants of this part of Forest Guinea), they are a rare example of a perfect understanding between the local populations and the primates. Thus, every second Friday of January, a festival is organized by the villagers in honor of the chimpanzees of Bossou. The chimpanzees are distinguished from other groups still present elsewhere by a behavioral difference that lies in the fact that they crush oil palm nuts with stones that they use as a hammer or anvil. According to the researchers, "this is the most sophisticated form of tool use ever observed in the wild. Unfortunately, because of diseases, among other things, the group is shrinking in a way that seems irreversible: they were only 7 in 2019, then 8 following an unexpected birth in 2020, against 19 in 1999. The group being cut off from the others because of deforestation and the human presence that has fragmented the forest, there is currently little chance that this trend can be reversed, knowing that a female bears a baby every four or five years. However, solutions are being considered and some are being implemented, such as creating a tree corridor to areas inhabited by other chimpanzee groups. For the moment, there are no tangible results.

To follow the trail of Bossou's last chimpanzees, contact the Environmental Research Institute, located near the city. Contact on site: Mr. Paul, Deputy Director, +224 628 13 82 02, or Mr. Aly Soumah, Director General, +224 622 25 98 29. You will have to pay 500 000 FG per person to have a guide and to start the adventure. Of course, it's a lot of money, but one thing is sure, the meeting with these primates is always a great moment. You will remember it for a long time! It is possible to be lodged at the institute.