20 Fascinating Facts About Apes & How To See Them in The Wild

Apes, our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, have long fascinated humans with their incredible intelligence, complex social structures, and uncanny resemblance to our own species. Belonging to the superfamily Hominoidea, apes include a diverse array of species such as orangutans, gorillas, bonobos, and chimpanzees.

In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of these remarkable creatures, exploring surprising and interesting facts about their biology, behavior, and habitats. Additionally, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on where to see these magnificent beings in their natural environment and how to make the most of your encounter with these remarkable relatives of ours.

So, buckle up and join us as we embark on a captivating journey through the world of apes!

Essential Information About Apes

20 Fascinating Facts About Apes

1. Bonobos, often called the “forgotten apes,” are the least known of the great apes despite being our closest living relatives, sharing more than 98% of our DNA. Unlike the more aggressive chimpanzees, bonobos are known for their peaceful and cooperative societies, which are primarily led by females source.
2. Orangutans are the only great apes native to Asia, and they can be found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. These tree-dwelling primates are known for their impressive cognitive abilities and have been observed using tools in the wild, such as sticks to extract insects from tree bark source.
3. Gorillas, the largest of the great apes, communicate using a variety of vocalizations, body postures, and facial expressions. One of the most well-known forms of communication is the chest-beating display, which is used to establish dominance, attract mates, or ward off potential threats source.
4. Chimpanzees, our closest relatives after bonobos, are known for their remarkable ability to make and use tools for various purposes, such as cracking nuts, fishing for termites, and even using leaves as sponges to soak up water source.
5. Gibbons, lesser apes found in Southeast Asia, are known for their incredible agility and acrobatic skills. These primates have a unique mode of locomotion called brachiation, which involves swinging from branch to branch using their long arms source.
6. The Cross River gorilla, a subspecies of the Western gorilla, is the world’s rarest great ape, with only around 250-300 individuals remaining in the wild. These critically endangered gorillas inhabit a small area along the Nigeria-Cameroon border source.
7. Orangutans are known for their impressive nest-building skills. Every night, they create a new sleeping platform high up in the trees using branches and leaves, which provides them safety from predators source.
8. Apes exhibit various forms of cultural transmission, where learned behaviors are passed down through generations. For example, different chimpanzee communities have their own unique traditions and tool-use techniques, such as termite fishing and nut cracking source.
9. Bonobos are known for their unique social structure, which revolves around strong female alliances. Unlike other ape societies where males are dominant, bonobos have a more egalitarian social system, with females often holding high-ranking positions source.
10. The Mountain gorilla, a subspecies of the Eastern gorilla, was once on the brink of extinction, but conservation efforts have helped increase its population. In 2018, the IUCN reclassified the Mountain gorilla from critically endangered to endangered, with its population now numbering over 1,000 individuals source.
11. Chimpanzees have been observed participating in complex hunting strategies, working together to capture and share their prey. This cooperative behavior is an example of their advanced social structure and problem-solving abilities source.
12. Orangutans have one of the slowest reproductive rates among mammals, with females giving birth only once every seven to nine years. This slow reproduction rate, along with habitat loss and poaching, has contributed to their endangered status source.
13. Siamangs, a type of gibbon, are known for their loud, melodious calls that can be heard up to 2 miles (3.2 km) away. These vocalizations help to establish territory and strengthen the bond between mated pairs source.
14. Western lowland gorillas are known to eat over 100 different types of plants, fruits, and occasionally insects. These gorillas play an essential role in seed dispersal within their forest habitats, helping to maintain the ecosystem’s health source.
15. Bonobos have been observed to share food with unrelated individuals, demonstrating a high level of altruism within their social groups. This sharing behavior helps to establish social bonds and maintain a peaceful society source.
16. Hoolock gibbons are the only apes found in India, and they are known for their distinctive song duets. These vocalizations are used for various purposes, including territory defense, mate attraction, and strengthening pair bonds source.
17. Orangutans are considered among the most intelligent primates and have demonstrated the ability to learn sign language, solve complex puzzles, and even mimic human behaviors source.
18. Chimpanzees are known to engage in warfare and have been observed conducting organized raids on neighboring groups to expand their territory and gain access to resources, a bit like what we Humans do… but without the missiles and fighter jets. source.
19. Mountain gorillas, despite their large size and powerful build, primarily feed on vegetation. Their diet consists mainly of leaves, shoots, and stems, with the occasional consumption of fruit and invertebrates source.
20. Apes are known to exhibit self-awareness, a characteristic that was once thought to be exclusive to humans. Experiments have shown that great apes, including orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas, can recognize themselves in a mirror, suggesting a level of self-consciousness source.

Where & How To See Apes In The Wild?

To see apes in the wild, consider visiting some of the following locations, where you can observe them in their natural habitats. Remember to always follow local guidelines and regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals and their environment.

1. Chimpanzees: Kibale National Park in Uganda is home to one of the largest populations of wild chimpanzees, offering guided trekking experiences to observe these fascinating primates source. Another option is Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania, known for its thriving chimpanzee population and stunning landscapes source.
2. Gorillas: The Virunga Mountains, spanning Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are home to the critically endangered mountain gorilla. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda are two popular destinations for gorilla trekking source. For western lowland gorillas, visit Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo or Loango National Park in Gabon source.
3. Orangutans: To see orangutans in the wild, visit the Indonesian islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Tanjung Puting National Park and Gunung Leuser National Park are two renowned locations for orangutan observation source.
4. Bonobos: Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary, just outside of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, is a protected area where visitors can observe rescued bonobos in a natural setting source. For a more remote experience, consider visiting Salonga National Park, home to wild bonobo populations source.
5. Gibbons: Khao Yai National Park in Thailand is a great destination for observing various gibbon species in their natural habitat source. In India, visit the Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, where you can find the endangered Hoolock gibbon source.

When planning a trip to see apes in the wild, it’s essential to book with a reputable tour operator that follows responsible tourism practices. Engage in guided tours with experienced professionals who prioritize the animals’ welfare and respect their environment. Remember to keep a safe distance, avoid making loud noises, and never feed the apes. By following these guidelines, you’ll have an unforgettable experience while contributing to the conservation of these amazing creatures.