Mystery apes of central Africa are chubby chimp

Khaleej Times Online ^ | 28 June 2006 | AFP

[Marius3188]

PARIS - A tribe of apes living in remote forests in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo are unusually large chimpanzees, not a new species of giant ape or a chimp-gorilla hybrid, New Scientist says.

Zoologists became excited after people living around Bili, a town about 200 kilometres (120 miles) east of the Ebola River, recounted tales of seeing hugeferocious apes with a taste for killing lions.

From photographs, the creatures were estimated to weigh about 100 kilos (220 pounds) and their footprints, at up to 34 centimetres (13.6 inches), were longer than a gorilla’s.

But a year-long hunt by Cleve Hicks and colleagues from the University of Amsterdam shows there is only a “negligible” chance that the enigmatic apes are a new branch of the primate tree.

Hicks were able to observe the animals for a total of 20 hours.

“I see nothing gorilla about them. The females definitely have a chimp’s sex swellings, they pant-hoot and tree-drum, and so on,” he told the British science weekly, whose report appears in Saturday’s issue.

Samples of a DNA recovered from faeces also put the animals in a recognised subspecies of chimp, Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii.

Even so, the Bili apes are unusual, as they have a gorilla-like crest on their skulls and howl during the full moon.

About 18 kms (11 miles) northwest of Bili, Hicks came across a large community of the animals that apparently had never met a human before.

“It’s fantastic. They surround us and show curiosity -- even the adult males. It is these guys we want to study,” said Hicks.

[Marius3188]

“I see nothing gorilla about them. The females definitely have a chimp’s sex swellings, they pant-hoot and tree-drum, and so on,” he told the British science weekly, whose report appears in Saturday’s issue.

I bet he had a smile when he told them that.

[Dallas59]

Even so, the Bili apes are unusual, as they have a gorilla-like crest on their skulls and howl during the full moon

Democrats!!!

[coconutt2000]

Sounds like they discovered a colony of hippies in the middle of the Congo.

[Jaysun]

Tell him to come check out Bigfoot while he's at it.

[SunkenCiv]

Pingworthy?

[pcottraux]

Definitely.

[Caipirabob]

This "Obesity" trend is a plague and has now spread to the animal kingdom!

[Marius3188]

No kidding, I was looking for the article to include, sixpack, cigs, and yelling at the TV!

[Captain Rhino]

About 18 kms (11 miles) northwest of Bili, Hicks came across a large community of the animals that apparently had never met a human before.

“It’s fantastic. They surround us and show curiosity -- even the adult males. It is these guys we want to study,” said Hicks.

Considering how unpredictable and dangerous the regular size chimpanzees are turning out to be, Mr. Hicks is taking a fantastic chance being that close to the supersize, supposed lion-killing version.

"Muganda! I'm hungry! What's for dinner?"

"Ummm, I don't know, Ebebi. Say, how about a little primate zoologist?"

[bkepley]

'“It’s fantastic. They surround us and show curiosity -- even the adult males. It is these guys we want to study,” said Hicks.'

Let's test their sense of humor with a simple joy buzzer.

[camle]

what? no michael moore pics?

[burroak]

Did KFC open a franchise in the Congo? Are there class-action lawyers rushing to the Congo? Will there be a new TV series TV, "Honey, We're Killing The Chimps"?

[freeplancer]

I don't see any pics or links to pics to understand your opinion. Do you know where we can view these portly Chimps?

[ahayes]

recounted tales of seeing hugeferocious apes with a taste for killing lions.

I kind of like the word hugeferocious.

[The G Man]

I think the fast food and soft drink companies need to stop marketing their products to primates.

[SW6906]

Pronounced hugh-jeff-earo-scious

[Awestruck]

chubby chimp? didn't he have a hit song in the 50's?