e developing into a human form, the study of this behaviour of the chimpanzees gives a great deal of insight into the hunting skills and the weapons that might have been used by the early man. (Pruetz JD and Bertolani, 2007)
The research was conducted by two anthropologists Jill Pruetz and Paco Bertolani.
Dr. Jill Pruetz who specializes in Biological Anthropology is an associate professor of Anthropology. Her research work has taken her to places including Peru, Costa Rica, Kenya, Nicaragua and Senegal. (www.terradaily.com, 2007) The research mainly focussed on the behaviour of spider monkeys, chimpanzees and howling monkeys. The observation of chimpanzees exhibiting predatory behaviour to hunt food has increased her interest to study the influence that ecology might have exerted in developing feeding habits and social behaviour of early man. (news.nationalgeographic.com)
She is currently in Senegal undertaking a research funded by the National Geographic Society and the National Science Foundation. Its aim is to study the behaviour of chimps in an environment that is as simulated and close to the condition that existed during the times of the early man. She also co-founded DANTA which is a non-profit organization and is also actively involved in teaching and other conservation activities. (www.anthr.iastate.edu, 2011)
Paco Bertolani is a Phd student and an anthropologist of great promise who successfully conducted these research experiments with Dr. Jill and has formulated several key aspects on behavioural policies exhibited by chimpanzees. A dissertation presented in 1994 dealt with the challenges faced by primates in food consumption and their social interaction. In 1997 another dissertation on adoption scenarios being taken up by chimpanzees was also a major achievement. (www.human-evol.cam.ac.uk)
Paco also has a wealth of field experience.