Lincoln Park Zoo

Gombe Field Research

Gombe Field Research

Gombe Field Research

The site of Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking research, Tanzania’s Gombe National Park has changed our understanding of animals and altered our perception of what it means to be human. Since 1960, Goodall and her peers have observed generations of the area’s chimpanzees. The behaviors they recorded—chimpanzees making and using tools, hunting prey and even waging warfare—exceeded the boundaries of what was previously thought possible, capturing worldwide attention and galvanizing global conservation efforts.

Today, Lincoln Park Zoo is proud to partner with the Jane Goodall Institute on a number of research projects in Gombe National Park. Zoo scientists take advantage of the resources that have been established over nearly half a century to study chimpanzee health, chimpanzee play and the mother-infant relationship in the species. The answers our scientists find through this partnership will be integral to learning more about chimpanzees and, ultimately, ourselves.

Project Information

About Gombe

Staff and Collaborators

Multimedia

Chakula (Food)

I recently finished a serving of easy mac. Although prep time was slightly longer since I had to use a small kerosene stove (there is no microwave here in Gombe), it was definitely worth the wait and extremely delicious.

Since I am always thinking about food, daydreaming for me and observing the chimps eat all day, I thought I would write a blog about this favorite pastime of ours. I’m not sure if it’s more in the forest or more in my head, but sometimes as I’m walking around I’ll get a whiff of the air and be reminded of different foods, like bubble gum, basil, broccoli cheddar soup, mac n’ cheese and crayons (I guess those are food if you’re 3 years and under).

Posted on 19 August 2010 | 10:34 am

Sokwe wapo (The chimps are here!)

In the course of following chimpanzees, you often slide down slopes, get bit by insects, scratched by trees, etc. So, the appropriate garb is head-to-toe field clothes—preferably breathable and ripstop, with your socks tucked into your boots to keep anything from crawling in.

So it seems strange that in the attached picture I’m in short sleeves and sandals and looking moderately put together…what gives? Well, as sometimes happens, the chimpanzees walked through our field camp this day, so I could hop quickly out of the office to grab a picture. It was amazing to see them one last time, because tomorrow I fly to Dar es Salaam to start the long trip home.

Posted on 16 July 2010 | 10:43 am

Celebrating 50 Years at Gombe

Lincoln Park Zoo is proud to note that today marks the 50th anniversary of Jane Goodall beginning her groundbreaking research at Tanzania's Gombe National Park. Read reflections on 50 years at Gombe (including a story from Lincoln Park Zoo scientist Elizabeth Lonsdorf) and learn more about the zoo's work to preserve Gombe's chimpanzees.

Posted on 14 July 2010 | 4:16 pm