Chimps are losing their cultural diversity due to too many humans.
Researchers have shown a clear link between growing human habitation and reducing behavioural diversity. Such diversity has traditionally enabled groups of chimps in particular places to access particular types of food. There is an example of chimps in Uganda using ‘moss to soak up water’. Loss of such diversity might run the risk of reducing the range of food or water sources practically available to chimps. This is because growing human habitation is having a significant impact on chimps. This has contributed to both higher rates of death amongst older chimps with skills and also less interaction between different groups of chimps. Smart tricks by the chimps to expand and maintain the hitherto wide range of food or water sources are, therefore, compromised. Culture thrives on learning and for that you need the right teachers.
Link to article: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2195890-unique-chimpanzee-cultures-are-disappearing-thanks-to-humans/
You may also like to browse other ethology posts: https://www.thesentientrobot.com/category/ethology/
