Richard Collins: Cultural loss in chimp groups — and the role of humans

Humans have caused the loss of the only male chimpanzee in one social group — and as a result at least one traditional courting gesture has disappeared

Researchers find evidence that human illegal activities may have altered the cultural behaviour of chimpanzees. Picture: Antoine Valet / Taï Chimpanzee Project 

Belching while dining here ‘isn’t done’. In some cultures, however, burping is almost ’de rigueur’. It says that you are so ecstatic with the gastronomic delights your host has served that you have lost control of your manners.

Customs vary. Upper class people seldom show their teeth. The Gallic shrug is symbolic of France. Southern Europeans ‘speak’ with their entre bodies.