Figan Follow Predation Reports

NOTICE: We reported these predatory incidents as objectively as possible, but some of the reports that follow are gruesome and graphic.

Unlike the “Stranger Contacts,” in which we saw relatively little activity, the fifty days of Figan produced a wealth of information on chimpanzee predatory behavior. The chimps’ main prey was red colobus monkeys (Piliocolobus tephrosceles), which lived in relatively large groups of 30 – 50 individuals, and which were typically seen in tall trees in the forests.

Mother and infant red colobus monkeys in Uganda. (Adobe Stock/prochym)

During the 50 days we saw or heard colobus monkey troops 16 times. The chimps hunted 7 of these times, and four of these hunts resulted in captures and kills.

On one occasion, Figan tried without success to catch a small baboon (Papio anubis). On another occasion he stole part of a baby bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) that had just been captured and killed by an adult male baboon. These and other observations of chimps taking meat from baboons are included here.

Finally, one of the most bizarre incidents of the entire Figan Follow occurred on Day 27 (July 26th) when an adult male colobus appeared from nowhere on the ground, walked up to Figan, and shoved him.

The four successful colobus hunts are described in this section, as originally reported. We include a bonus from Day 11 when Kahama male Sniff caught and ate a colobus monkey entirely alone.