Gombe Stream Research Centre

Tanzania

Founded to advance Dr. Goodall’s revolutionary findings about chimpanzee tool-making and other behaviours, the Gombe Stream Research Centre is a living laboratory, home to the world’s most studied group of wild chimpanzees. Our mission in Gombe is to operate a world-class research station where the best available methods are used to further develop long-term primate research projects.

Researchers witnessed and recorded entire lifespans of individual chimps in Gombe and we’ve learned a great deal about their complex social lives, personalities and intelligence. From Jane’s first discovery of chimpanzees using tools to “fish” for termites, to maternal care behaviour, to territoriality, hunting and meat eating, the Gombe chimpanzees have demonstrated great diversity in behaviour as well as how similar they are to humans. The most important thing these observations have taught us is that chimpanzees must be protected.

Field staff and researchers monitor the life histories and demography of the Gombe chimpanzee and baboon populations as individuals are born, die, and migrate. Today, researchers continue to collect data on both species’ behaviours, health, and social relationships.

Achievements

Unbroken field research on chimpanzees since 1960

165000+ hours of data collected through observations of more than 320 chimpanzees

11 studies by research partners at Gombe Stream Research Centre resulted in 31 scientific papers, theses and presentations

Photo credits: (hero image and 1st photo) Nick Riley,  (2nd) Sandra Thoren, (3rd) National Geographic