CONAKRY - A dwindling tribe of chimpanzees in Guinea that gained global fame for uncanny abilities to use tools has a glimmer of hope after its last fertile female gave birth.
They include the use of a stone hammer and anvil to crack open nuts - the most sophisticated act ever observed of humanity's genetically closest relative.The tribe is dying off and cannot be replenished by neighbouring chimp communities because forest destruction has left it isolated. Guides last week spotted the group's last fertile female, Fanle, clutching a tiny baby on her belly, Soumah told AFP."Three days ago we were able to confirm the sex using binoculars, because they were in the trees at the time - it's a female."The animals live in the wild but share the territory and its resources with the locals, who protect the chimps, believing them to be the reincarnation of their ancestors.
But seven died of influenza in 2003, and others passed away in the following years, leaving just three adult males and four adult females before the latest birth.'MIGRATION CORRIDOR'The father of the baby is believed to be Fouaf, the group's dominant male, or another chimp called Jeje. Both are in their forties.
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