Chimpanzee

An axis deer looks up at a giraffe on Sir Bani Yas Island near Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, June 9, 2017.

A new book explores culture within the animal kingdom

Environment

Ecologist Carl Safina’s latest book, “Becoming Wild: How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty and Achieve Peace,” explores how animals live their lives within definitive cultures and customs.

A chimpanzee holds a grey blanket up in a tree.

From fashion to tools, animal behaviors are often surprisingly human

Science
British primatologist Jane Goodall

Dr. Jane Goodall on her work with chimpanzees, and the new documentary ‘JANE’

Science
Chimp moss sponge

Chimps can learn behavior from one another, a new study shows

Science
Blood Bucket Challenge video

European youth have started the #BloodBucketChallenge

Global Scan

Should we harm captive great apes in order to save wild ones?

Environment

An Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa has killed more than 460 people since February and is taking other casualties, as well — among wild chimps and gorillas. And some researchers worry that our animal research ethics may interfere with our efforts to protect those endangered animals.An Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa has killed more than 460 people since February and is taking other casualties, as well — among wild chimps and gorillas. And some researchers worry that our animal research ethics may interfere with our efforts to protect those endangered animals.

Social posts from Jihadi fighters make the war in Syria sound almost fun

Global Scan

From the look of their social media posts, British Islamists fighting to oust Syria’s government and impose Islamic law are having a terrific time. Even the martyrs seem to be smiling. Also, you might want to thank some immigrants the next time you sip your favorite California wine. And the autobiography of famed singer Morrissey apparently was too gay for the US. All that and more, in today’s Global Scan.

A scientific discovery falls out of this epidemiologist’s nose

Environment

Tony Goldberg was so close to a new species he practically could have smelled it. On a research trip to Africa, a new species of tick came right out of his nose.

Research finds our social skills may be defining difference between humans, apes

Humans and apes share many characteristics and even more DNA. But we diverge greatly in the way we influence the world around us. New research, by a Harvard anthropologist, suggests it may be because of the way we interact with each other — and not just the way we think.

Capturing the ape revolt in ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’

Arts, Culture & Media

Actor Andy Serkis on the artistry involved in playing motion capture characters, like the leader of the ape revolution, Caesar.