This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/03/ape-millimetre-chimpanzees-smash-camera-drone-zoo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ape millimetre: chimpanzees smash camera drone Ape millimetre: chimpanzees smash camera drone
(34 minutes later)
A chimpanzee took drastic counter measures when a TV crew’s drone was sent to take footage of her and her family. Using a 6ft-long stick, she swatted the drone to the ground and broke it.A chimpanzee took drastic counter measures when a TV crew’s drone was sent to take footage of her and her family. Using a 6ft-long stick, she swatted the drone to the ground and broke it.
Unlike the Dutch crew who deployed the device to capture close-up shots of the chimps, scientists studying the animals were delighted.Unlike the Dutch crew who deployed the device to capture close-up shots of the chimps, scientists studying the animals were delighted.
They said it demonstrated an impressive level of ingenuity and forward planning by the angry ape. The incident occurred while chimpanzees were being filmed at Royal Burgers’ zoo, in the Netherlands, in April.They said it demonstrated an impressive level of ingenuity and forward planning by the angry ape. The incident occurred while chimpanzees were being filmed at Royal Burgers’ zoo, in the Netherlands, in April.
Several of the chimps reacted by grabbing willow twigs and climbing a scaffold where the drone was hovering.Several of the chimps reacted by grabbing willow twigs and climbing a scaffold where the drone was hovering.
When the remote controlled craft zoomed in on two of the animals, one of them, a female called Tushi, decided enough was enough. She made two long sweeps with her stick, the second of which struck the drone and downed it.When the remote controlled craft zoomed in on two of the animals, one of them, a female called Tushi, decided enough was enough. She made two long sweeps with her stick, the second of which struck the drone and downed it.
Related: Jane Goodall hails 'awakening' as US labels all chimpanzees endangered
Prof Jan van Hooff, from Utrecht University, said: “The use of the stick as a weapon in this context was a unique action. It seemed deliberate, given the decision to collect it and carry it to a place where the drone might be attacked.”Prof Jan van Hooff, from Utrecht University, said: “The use of the stick as a weapon in this context was a unique action. It seemed deliberate, given the decision to collect it and carry it to a place where the drone might be attacked.”
Before and during the strike, Tushi bared her teeth but showed no sign of fear - suggesting that her actions were not a reflex response. The zoo’s chimpanzees had never explicitly been taught to use tools, but had watched humans handling all kinds of implements, said the scientists writing in the journal Primates. Before and during the strike, Tushi bared her teeth but showed no sign of fear – suggesting that her actions were not a reflex response. The zoo’s chimpanzees had never explicitly been taught to use tools, but had watched humans handling all kinds of implements, said the scientists writing in the journal Primates.
Previous research had shown chimps at Royal Burgers’ zoo using up to 13 tools in different ways, especially sticks.Previous research had shown chimps at Royal Burgers’ zoo using up to 13 tools in different ways, especially sticks.
Zoo spokesman and co-author Bas Lukkenar said: “This episode adds to the indications that chimpanzees engage in forward planning of tool-use acts.”Zoo spokesman and co-author Bas Lukkenar said: “This episode adds to the indications that chimpanzees engage in forward planning of tool-use acts.”