Gombe Stream Research Centre
Follow in the footsteps of Dr. Goodall with Google Street View and explore Gombe National Park—the site of the longest running chimpanzee research study in the world.
Take a moment to experience what it’s like to be Jane for a day: peek into her house, take a dip in Lake Tanganyika, spot the chimp named Google and try to keep up with Glitter and Gossamer!
Through the new JGI Google Earth tour, you can connect with Jane's story, these chimpanzees, forests and conservation efforts by the local communities outside the park in a whole new, immersive way, via satellite imagery, Google Street View, videos, pictures and more.
The Fall of Ferdinand
In the primate world, rank is everything. Because humans are primates, it’s easy to see how power dynamics and relationships in groups play a large role in our own societies. In chimpanzee societies alike, ranking behaviour is also a part of their way of life. When it comes to chimpanzees, the fight to be on top is key for access to mates and food. At Gombe National Park, Tanzania, where Dr. Jane Goodall first studied wild chimpanzees, the events taking place in the name of power may change this group forever.
Ferdinand, 24, ironically named for the peace-loving bull, has been the alpha male of his group at Gombe for eight years. In October 2016 however this warrior chimpanzee has been toppled from his rank position in a violent challenge by none other than his nephew, the 19-year old male named Fudge.
Read the full article on the dethroning of the king and get an insight into the chimpanzee society of Gombe .
What we do. How we do it. Why we do it.
Gombe 55
Celebrating 55 years of continuous research at Gombe Stream Research Centre in western Tanzania
Gombe is known world-wide as a living natural laboratory, and home to the wild chimpanzees Jane studied. The observational research carried out there daily, continues to increase our understanding not only of chimpanzees and baboons, but also of our own social structures, the spread of disease and understanding gender roles.
Data is gathered by a team of expert observers who have, over the course of time, earned the acceptance of the wild chimpanzees. Most of them live in surrounding communities and remain at the research facility for twenty day shifts.
In order to ensure Gombe's long term future we need your help. We need help to restore the staff housing, improve communications and to ensure that Gombe remains a sustainable operation for the future discoveries still to be made!
Please consider making a donation to the Jane Goodall Institute so our researchers can continue to study the famous 'Gombe Chimps'.
