Way Off Topic: Spear-Wielding Chimps

According to an article, Spear-Wielding Chimps Seen Hunting Bush Babies, in Science Magazine (subscription required): “Researchers in Senegal recently spotted wild chimpanzees biting the tips of sticks, which they then used like spears to jab small primates called bush babies, they report in the 6 March issue of Current Biology.” The article was written by Ann Gibbons. Honest. New Scientist also covers this story in Spear-wielding chimps snack on skewered bushbabies (full article available). The writer for this article was the less amusingly named Rowan Hooper. Makes me wonder: Could we be seeing the first steps of another species developing human-style skills and mentation? How long until they discover fire? Could they skip a whole chunk of mental evolution by copying us? Will they develop religion? Will their god be a big old silverback gorilla with sparkling blue eyes? Hummm …