NASA and Jane Goodall partner to save the chimps

NASA and Jane Goodall partner to save the chimps Today’s Video of the Day comes from NASA Goddard and features a look at how NASA and the Jane Goodall Institute are teaming up to protect chimpanzees. Thanks to data from NASA’s Landsat satellites, the collaborative effort has been able to track changing habitats to more effectively guard and monitor chimp populations. Through years of patient observation and thorough research, Dr. Goodall grew familiar with many of the individual chimpanzees inhabiting Gombe, learning about their distinct personalities and characteristics. She also studied the family dynamics and social hierarchies that dictate chimpanzees’ daily life. 

She met with anyone she felt could be key to protecting places like Gombe Stream National Park and species such as her beloved chimpanzees and has been an advocate for protecting animals, spreading peace, and living in harmony with the environment. David was a good friend not only to Dr. Goodall, but also to his companion Goliath. David often comforted Goliath by placing a hand on his head or body, particularly when Jane was observing the two chimps. When she was ten, Fifi was one of the only female chimps to excel at throwing, though her aim was poor.

Fifi disappeared in 2004 and was soon presumed dead. She was the last surviving chimpanzee at Gombe from Dr. Goodall’s early days. Freud, Fifi’s eldest son, became alpha male in the summer of 1993 after defeating Wilkie. He was 22 at the time.

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By Rory Arnold, Earth.com

Video Credit: NASA Goddard