Chimpanzees Dig for Fresh Water
Clip: Episode 1 | 2m 59sVideo has Closed Captions
The Fongoli troop of chimpanzees dig to find fresh water in a parched Senegal savanna.
We follow Jill Pruetz through the dry Senegalese landscape of Fongoli. Tracking alongside the local troop of critically endangered western chimpanzees, as they walk for miles to find water. Once at the dried riverbed, the chimps dig to find fresher water, this is one of the only groups in the world that does this.
Chimpanzees Dig for Fresh Water
Clip: Episode 1 | 2m 59sVideo has Closed Captions
We follow Jill Pruetz through the dry Senegalese landscape of Fongoli. Tracking alongside the local troop of critically endangered western chimpanzees, as they walk for miles to find water. Once at the dried riverbed, the chimps dig to find fresher water, this is one of the only groups in the world that does this.
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Evolution Earth
Traveling to the far corners of the world, we discover the extraordinary ways animals are adapting to our rapidly changing planet. We witness nature’s remarkable resilience, as our perception of evolution and its potential is forever transformed. Read these interviews with experts to learn more.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[Shane] Food here is scarce, but the biggest challenge is finding water.
[chimpanzee grunting] Jill told us that in the green forests to the south, chimps can get all the water they need from fruit.
No chance of that here in the savanna... and temperatures are already exceeding 104 degrees.
[Jill] These chimps here at Fongoli have to drink, especially if it's a female with an infant.
[leaves rustling] It's really unlikely that she'll go a day without drinking.
[chimpanzees screeching] ♪ ♪ [Shane] The troop walks for miles to find water... ♪ [grunting] and finally reaches a dried-out riverbed.
Hot and tired, it's a last chance... [insects buzzing] but the water looks kind of nasty.
[grunting] You got to be real thirsty to plunge into that.
Mmm.
Nah.
The chimps do have a solution, and it's one Jill tells me is rarely seen anywhere else.
They dig holes beside the water... ♪ and the water filters through the sand... [splashing] crystal clear, good enough to drink.
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