February 27, 2026

Inside the lives of chimpanzees: Lessons from 65 years at Gombe

by Caitlin Boyle

Photo: Bill Wallauer

For more than 65 years, research from Gombe has offered an extraordinary window into the lives of wild chimpanzees. From their foraging habits to their friendships, chimpanzees continue to teach us more with each passing year. Because there’s so much to know, we figured we’d tackle some of your top questions about chimpanzees:

What is the difference between chimpanzees and monkeys?

It’s a question we hear a lot. While both are primates, chimpanzees are not monkeys. They’re great apes, like gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, and us — humans. One of the easiest ways to tell them apart? Apes don’t have tails.

But there’s more to it than just tails. Great apes, including chimpanzees, have larger brains relative to their body size and lead vibrant social lives. Chimpanzees use tools, express emotion, and pass down knowledge from one generation to the next. These aren’t just clever behaviours; they’re signs of culture.

In fact, chimpanzees are one of the only non-human species known to have culture — distinct behaviours, gestures, and even dialects that vary from group to group, much like human traditions. Understanding the difference between monkeys and apes helps us better appreciate the depth, intelligence, and individuality of our closest animal relatives.

Discover the surprising cultural lives of chimpanzees and how they differ from their monkey cousins by reading: Is a Chimp a Monkey? / Do Chimpanzees Have Culture?

Are chimpanzees and humans the same?

Chimpanzees share almost 99% of our DNA. But it’s not just about genes. They laugh, grieve, play, hug, and form lasting friendships. They comfort each other in times of stress. They use gestures and drumming to communicate, and they pass down cultural behaviours from one generation to the next.

That sounds an awful lot like us, but they’re not human. That said, they are someone — each chimpanzee has a unique personality, a family, and a distinct way of seeing the world.

Want to explore more? Discover 10 fun facts about chimpanzee communication and fascinating chimp-human similarities that just might change the way you see our place in the animal kingdom.

What is a chimpanzee’s lifespan?

In the wild, chimpanzees typically live around 40 to 50 years. Many thrive well into their 50s thanks to the strong social bonds and care they receive from their community.

The decades of research at Gombe have highlighted how these tight-knit groups support one another through sickness, injury, and aging — creating a network of compassion that enables chimps to live longer, fuller lives. In sanctuaries and human care, chimpanzees have been known to reach their 60s, a testament to their resilience and the care they receive.

What do chimpanzees eat? Do they eat meat?

Chimpanzees are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. While most of their diet consists of ripe fruit, seeds, leaves, flowers, nuts, and insects, they’re also surprisingly resourceful, using tools to access food and even seeking out medicinal plants or treats, like fermented palm sap.

In fact, Dr. Jane famously observed chimpanzees using sticks to fish for termites and even hunting other animals. Before that, chimps were widely believed to be herbivores, like other great apes. Dr. Jane’s observation helped change the way we understand not only their diets, but also their intelligence and social complexity.

Today, we know that chimpanzees sometimes hunt smaller mammals, such as red colobus monkeys and bush babies, and occasionally birds or eggs. Meat only makes up about 2–5% of their diet, but it’s often shared, especially after group hunts. This kind of food sharing reveals how tightly woven their relationships are and how cooperation plays a role in survival.

Their diverse diet isn’t just about nutrition. It reflects a profound connection to their environment, culture, and one another. Curious what else they eat in the wild? Read this to learn more about the foraging habits and fascinating food culture of our closest living relatives.

Where do chimpanzees live?

Wild chimpanzees live across the diverse landscapes of equatorial Africa, from dense rainforests to woodlands and open savannas. In Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park, where Dr. Jane began her research in 1960, scientists have spent decades observing chimpanzees and learning from their rich social lives.

Outside of Gombe, chimpanzees are found in countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Ivory Coast. Each community is uniquely shaped by its environment, with chimpanzees adapting to local conditions in remarkable ways. These habitats offer everything they need to survive: food, shelter, space, and strong social bonds.

But these forests are increasingly at risk. Expanding development, agriculture, and illegal mining industries are putting pressure on the very ecosystems chimpanzees depend on. Conservation efforts rooted in Dr. Jane’s early work remain essential to protecting both the species and the forests they call home.

Are chimpanzees violent?

Like any social species, chimpanzees have moments of peace and moments of tension. They live in communities where grooming, cooperation, and care are part of daily life — but they can also be aggressive, especially when dominance is challenged or territory is at risk.

A recent long-term study found that this aggression is often an adaptive strategy. These evolved behaviours can improve access to resources and boost survival. In that way, chimpanzee aggression has evolutionary roots, much like our own.

Still, these behaviours make up only a small part of their lives. Most of the time, chimpanzees are playing, foraging, and building social bonds. Curious to learn more? Read this.

Are chimpanzees endangered?

Yes, chimpanzees are critically endangered. Across equatorial Africa, their forest habitats are under significant threat from deforestation, illegal mining, disease, and wildlife trafficking.

Thousands of chimpanzees are taken from the wild each year, often orphaned or harmed by the bushmeat and exotic pet trades. The wild chimpanzee population is estimated to be below 300,000 — down from over 1 million decades ago.

There is hope.

The Jane Goodall Institute — in collaboration with local communities and partners — works to protect chimpanzees through education, advocacy, and on-the-ground conservation efforts.

At Tchimpounga Sanctuary in the Republic of Congo, rescued chimpanzees receive expert care and a second chance at life. This sanctuary offers a safe space for healing and connection, enabling individuals to recover from trauma and form new social bonds.

Beyond protecting chimpanzees, we must also protect the forests they call home. These ecosystems are rich in biodiversity and play a vital role in the health of our planet.

How can you help?

Check out our Forest is Calling campaign to find out how you can answer the call. Together, we can help keep chimpanzees wild and forests thriving, benefiting all living things on Earth.