In a major nod to Tanzania’s global contribution to wildlife research, BBC Wildlife Magazine has spotlighted a long-term study on the social behaviour of 37 female chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, located along the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Kigoma Region.
Published on July 20, 2025, as part of the magazine’s acclaimed Discover the Wildlife series, the feature explores how female chimpanzees in Gombe form voluntary social bonds beyond family ties connections that, according to researchers, significantly increase the survival chances of their young.
The research, led by scientists from Duke University in the United States, builds on more than 30 years of field data much of it rooted in the pioneering work of Dr. Jane Goodall, who began studying chimpanzees in Gombe in the 1960s and remains a towering figure in global conservation science.
“We found that female chimpanzees who foster strong friendships with non-relatives are more likely to see their infants survive the critical first five years of life,” the researchers noted, underscoring how cooperation not just kinship shapes survival in the wild.
The study’s findings expand scientific understanding of primate behaviour and offer new perspectives on the evolutionary roots of human sociality.
They also demonstrate the importance of long-term research in understanding complex animal societies.
Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) was lauded for its longstanding support of such research efforts, which have made Gombe a living laboratory for global conservation.
“The success of this study once again proves how Tanzania, through institutions like TANAPA, continues to play a leading role in global biodiversity conservation,” said one of the researchers involved in the project.
The recognition by BBC Wildlife Magazine is expected to boost interest in Tanzanian ecotourism and reinforce the country’s reputation as a leader in wildlife science.
Gombe National Park, though one of the smallest in Tanzania, has gained global recognition as the birthplace of modern primatology, thanks to the groundbreaking research initiated by Dr. Goodall.
The park remains a key destination for international scientists and tourists seeking to experience one of Africa’s most iconic primate populations in their natural habitat.
This latest international feature brings renewed attention not only to the importance of protecting endangered species but also to the power of scientific collaboration in solving global conservation challenges.