Chimpanzees are our closest relatives, sharing 98.6 percent of our DNA. Among the many demonstrations of their intelligence, they create tools. Tools are primarily used to obtain food, but they are also used as weapons and in games such as tug of war or catch. Tool use is not instinctive, but rather learned through observation. Different chimpanzee troops pass along different tool-making techniques. Some sharpen sticks like spears to hunt. Others split the ends of sticks to increase the catch of insects per dip.
Unfortunately, these incredible apes are endangered due to poaching, habitat loss, and disease. The L.A. Zoo has supported chimpanzee conservation organizations like Pan African Sanctuary Alliance.
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