Bumping into a chimpanzee out in the wild? That can be pretty startling—and honestly, it’s easy to panic if you’re not sure what to do next. The smartest move is to stay calm, keep your distance, don’t make any sudden moves, and whatever you do, don’t stare right into their eyes. These steps really give you the best shot at staying safe, and they help the chimpanzee stay relaxed too.
Chimpanzees are incredibly strong and sometimes act in ways you can’t predict. Staying quiet and backing away slowly is super important.
Don’t try to touch or feed them. And keep your hands close—if they spot your hands, they might reach out or try to grab.
If you know these basics, you’ll feel a lot more prepared if you ever cross paths with a chimp in the wild.
Learning how to keep cool and what not to do can help you avoid making things worse. We’ll break down these steps so you know what to do if you ever meet a chimpanzee by surprise.
You can always check out What to Do if You Run Into a Chimpanzee for more detailed safety advice.
Immediate Steps to Take During a Chimpanzee Encounter
If you suddenly find yourself face to face with a chimpanzee, you need to act carefully and think through your next moves. Watch the chimp’s behavior, don’t make contact, and start moving away slowly.
Stay Calm and Avoid Sudden Movements
First things first—stay calm. Any sudden moves could spook or provoke the chimpanzee.
Take a few slow, deep breaths to steady yourself. If you need to shift your position, do it very slowly.
Don’t wave your arms or turn quickly. Keep your body relaxed.
Try not to shout or make loud noises, since that could ramp up the chimp’s stress.
Sometimes, just standing still and quiet makes the chimp lose interest and wander off.
Assess the Chimpanzee’s Behavior From a Distance
Before you do anything else, keep a close eye on the chimp. Look for things like bared teeth, loud noises, or angry faces.
If you spot those, the chimp probably feels threatened or might lash out. Get ready to back away, but do it slowly.
Even if the chimp seems chill or just curious, don’t get closer. They’re strong and unpredictable, so it’s not worth the risk.
Make sure you’ve got a clear path to move away, just in case.
Do Not Approach or Attempt Physical Contact
Don’t ever try to get closer to a chimpanzee—even if it looks harmless. Moving in can come off as a threat.
Never reach out to touch, feed, or play with the chimp. They’re way stronger than you, and even what seems like a gentle touch could turn ugly.
Keep your hands close to your sides. Try not to show them off, so the chimp isn’t tempted to grab.
Give the animal space. Avoid doing anything that might make things tense.
Back Away Slowly Without Turning Your Back
If you notice the chimp getting uncomfortable or aggressive, start backing away.
Face the chimp as you move backward. Don’t turn your back or run—running could trigger a chase, and you definitely don’t want that.
Take slow, steady steps. Keep your gaze soft, and try not to lock eyes.
If you can, put a tree, rock, or something sturdy between you and the chimp. That gives you an extra buffer.
This way, you lower the chances of a problem and can get out of there safely. For more tips, check out What to Do if You Run Into a Chimpanzee.
Essential Safety Practices and Mistakes to Avoid
How you act around a chimpanzee can really change how things go. If you keep calm and stick to a few key safety tips, you’ll have a much better chance of staying safe.
Try not to give the chimpanzee any reason to come closer or feel threatened.
Never Feed or Offer Food to a Chimpanzee
Don’t feed chimpanzees or offer them any snacks. If they think you’ve got food and you don’t share, they can get aggressive.
Feeding them also teaches them to see humans as a food source, which isn’t safe for anyone.
If you’re carrying snacks, keep them hidden. Feeding wild animals messes with their natural habits and can bring on dangerous situations.
Even a tiny piece of fruit can cause a big problem.
Keep Personal Items and Food Out of Sight
Hide your bags, water bottles, and food. Chimpanzees are curious and might try to grab whatever they see.
If a chimp notices your stuff, don’t try to snatch it back. Instead, back away slowly and keep things calm.
Make sure you’ve secured your items before you go into any area where chimps might be around.
Avoid Direct Eye Contact
Staring a chimpanzee in the eyes is basically a challenge in their world. That can make them feel threatened or aggressive.
Keep your gaze calm. Don’t lock eyes.
Pay more attention to your surroundings than to the chimp’s face. If it looks at you, break eye contact by slowly looking down or away.
This kind of body language can help keep things peaceful.
Stay in Groups and Alert Others Nearby
Stick with your group if you’re anywhere near chimpanzee territory. Chimpanzees usually avoid groups of people, but if you’re alone, you might be at greater risk.
If you spot a chimpanzee, tell the others right away. Giving everyone a heads-up helps people stay on their toes. When you all move together and keep calm, it can make things safer and lower the chances of trouble.
