The chimpanzees of Gombe have been studied for almost forty years, most famously by Jane Goodall. We've got to know the unfolding story of the chimps social world - a complex society full of intrigue, politics and larger than life characters.

We should know all about them - but we don't. Some of their antics have still to be filmed for the first time - notably, the rain dance. Chimps watch electric storms with a sense of wonder and awe - Jane Goodall believes this must be similar to our early ancestors worshipping water. Is this the beginning of religion for our closest cousins? Another incredible event is the birth of Gombe's third lot of twins.

The mother is Gremlin, one of Jane's favourites. Gremlin's own mother gave birth to twins but one didn't survive. But Golden and Glitter have an amazing mother in Gremlin, whose sweet nature protects her under the dictatorship of the alpha male, Frodo. Frodo aided by the old politician and arch manipulator, Goblin, rules the Gombe chimps with bully tactics. In Year of the Chimpanzee, we catch up with this most famous of animal soap operas.

Presented by Bill Wallauer.
Narrated by actor Rupert Graves.