A recent study in Côte d'Ivoire's Taï National Park indicates chimpanzees use elevated terrain for strategic purposes.

Chimpanzees were observed using hills to assess intergroup conflict and make collective decisions.

Chimpanzees were more likely to invade the territory of rival groups when these were further away.

This behavior showcases chimpanzees' complex cognitive abilities and hints at small-scale proto-warfare found in early human populations.

Chimpanzees' decision-making abilities and cooperative behavior help them avoid dangerous conflicts and secure territories.

This is the first evidence of non-human animals using higher ground to monitor enemies, possibly tracing back to small-scale proto-warfare from prehistoric times.