Scientific American Frontiers Season 11 Episode 8 Chimps R Us

Scientific American Frontiers is a documentary series that takes viewers into the world of science and exploration. Season 11 episode 8, titled Chimps R Us, explores the fascinating world of chimpanzees and the ways in which we are similar to them.

Hosted by Alan Alda, the episode features a variety of experts who discuss the sciences of primatology, neuroscience, and anthropology. The episode centers around the research being conducted at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta, Georgia, which is home to over 3,000 primates, including more than 300 chimpanzees.

Throughout the episode, Alda talks to a variety of experts who have dedicated their lives to understanding these amazing animals. First, he meets Dr. Frans de Waal, a primatologist who has spent years studying the social behavior of captive chimpanzees. De Waal discusses his research and explains how studying chimpanzee behavior can help us better understand our own social behavior.

Next, Alda visits the Yerkes center and meets some of the chimpanzees there. He talks to caretakers who work with the animals on a daily basis, feeding them, cleaning their cages, and providing them with enrichment activities.

One of the highlights of the episode is when Alda visits with Dr. William Hopkins, a neuroscientist who is studying how chimpanzees use tools. Hopkins has found that chimpanzees are able to use tools in ways that were previously thought to be unique to humans. He demonstrates how one chimpanzee can use a stick to get food out of a tube, and explains how this ability sheds light on how our own ancestors may have learned to use tools.

The episode also explores the dark side of chimpanzee research, including the controversy surrounding the use of chimpanzees in medical research. Alda talks to experts on both sides of this issue, including animal-rights activists who believe that chimpanzees should not be used in research, and scientists who argue that chimpanzees have played a critical role in advancing our understanding of diseases like hepatitis and HIV.

As the episode unfolds, viewers learn how chimpanzees are more similar to humans than we might think. They share more than 99% of our DNA, and scientists have discovered that chimpanzees can learn sign language and perform other cognitive tasks. We also learn about the challenges facing chimpanzees in the wild, including habitat loss, poaching, and disease.

Overall, Chimps R Us is a fascinating and informative episode that will appeal to anyone with an interest in primatology, neuroscience, or animal behavior. Through interviews with experts and close-up footage of chimpanzees in captivity, viewers will gain a new appreciation for these remarkable animals and the ways in which they are similar to us.