Gombe Chimpanzee Research
International graduate student Nisarg Desai spent two months in Gombe this summer, observing, recording, and training field guides to document pant-hoots. His days could involve anything from tracking chimps for miles through the jungle to remaining immobile for hours at time as a group rested.
He became well-enough acquainted with the chimpanzees that he was able to recognize many on sight. He documented everything from day-to-day social interactions to more exciting incidents like a mother stealing meat from a male to give to her baby.
"I'm excited to go back to Gombe next summer,” he says. “Chimpanzees exhibit striking similarities to humans; sometimes it appears like they are laughing, or thinking. I'd like to go back and observe more social interactions. I really enjoyed being there."