Tool use fascinates Elizabeth Vinson, who is studying how infants learn to fish for termites with sticks. Termite fishing is unique to chimps, and its discovery at Gombe helped topple the idea that only humans use tools. Further, patterns of tool use vary between wild chimps in different areas. This, says Pusey, suggests protocultural behavior. For Pusey, much of the joy of science comes from watching the next generation of students make their own discoveries and become excited about their work.
Chimps are intrinsically interesting.
Although Pusey now concentrates on chimps, she also spent 15 years studying the lions of the Serengeti in collaboration with Craig Packer, now a fellow professor of ecology, evolution, and behavior at the University. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. 1999 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota.