Beyond the Edge Season 1 Episode 9 Ask a Monkey for Help

As a trained primatologist, Mireya Mayor has spent her career studying primates and their behavior. But in this episode of Beyond the Edge, she takes it a step further by asking a monkey for help.

Mayor travels to the jungles of Costa Rica to observe and study white-faced capuchin monkeys, a species known for their intelligence and problem-solving skills. In this episode, she sets up a series of challenges for the monkeys to complete, including puzzles and tasks that require them to use tools.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this episode is seeing how the monkeys approach each challenge in a different way. Some are more cautious and methodical, while others are bold and creative. Mayor and her team observe these behaviors and try to understand what they say about the monkeys' cognitive abilities.

At one point, Mayor decides to test out a theory about how the monkeys communicate with each other. She sets up two identical challenges in different areas of the jungle and observes how quickly the monkeys solve them. Sure enough, the monkeys in one area complete the challenge much faster than the others, leading Mayor to believe that they must have communicated with each other somehow.

Throughout the episode, Mayor speaks with fellow primatologists and experts in animal behavior to gain more insights into the monkeys' capabilities. She also shares personal stories about her experiences working with primates.

Overall, this episode of Beyond the Edge is both fascinating and entertaining. It provides a unique window into the world of primates and shows how much we still have to learn about these intelligent animals.