Older chimps in the group are usually quite patient with energetic youngsters. Predators The number of chimps in the wild is steadily decreasing. The wilderness areas necessary to their survival are disappearing at an alarming rate as more forests are cut down for farming and other activities. As the human's closest relative the chimp is vulnerable to many of the same diseases, but their capture for medical research contributes to their decline, especially in West Africa. Chimpanzees use large sticks and branches as clubs or throw them at enemies like leopards and humans.
Chimps supplement their diets with meat, such as young antelopes or goats.
Their most frequent victims, however, are other primates such as young baboons, colobus monkeys and blue monkeys. Order your copy of Wild Lives Guidebook . Back to Wildlives main page . African Wildlife Foundation .