Rock Hyrax - Tanzania

Both Tanganyika and Zanzibar achieved their independence from Great Britain in 1961 and 1963 respectively. In 1964, the former colonies merged to form Tanzania, a portmanteau of the original names. According to the Articles of Union, Zanzibar is allowed a semi-autonomous status within the union of the two nations.

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Procavia capensis - Rock hyraxes live in highly structured social colonies of up to 80 individuals and are divided further along family lines. They are cautious animals and rarely venture far from their burrows; they prefer foraging for grasses and broad-leaf plants near their dens in case of any threats. It has been observed they use “sentries” for extra protection. One or two individuals will take a prominent position to watch for lurking predators while the others feed. Rock hyraxes use vocal sounds as a means of communication.

Chimpanzee - Tanzania

Pan troglodytes - There are two species of chimpanzees; the bonobo and the common chimpanzee. The bonobo inhabits the rainforest of the Congo and the chimpanzee is found in Western and Central Africa. In 1960, primatologist Jane Goodall began an extensive field study of chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park. A profound revelation emerged from Gombe; chimpanzees were making and using tools. This discovery prompted the redefining of Homo sapiens.

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The Maasai are an semi-nomadic people with a long historical presence in the Great Rift Valley. They are now limited to Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. The Maasai are pastoral people, relying heavily on their domesticated livestock of cattle and sheep. Their basic community consists of kraals, a group of homes arranged in a circle and protected by fences made from acacia branches. The long thorns of the acacia protect the livestock from being attacked by lions, cheetahs, and other predators.

Yellow Baboon - Deutsch-Ostafrika

Located in the African Great Lakes Region, German East Africa, covered present day Burundi, mainland Tanzania, and Uganda. Corruption and scandal plagued the colony for the first few years, but when a new governor was installed in 1907, the colony became a model of economic and administrative efficiency.

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Papio cynocephalus - Each of the five species of baboons found in Africa have their distinctive home range; the yellow baboon inhabits the southern section spanning across Central Africa. The yellow baboon begins the day with a brief period of grooming activities before casually foraging their neighborhood for food. By mid-afternoon, they begin the return journey to their sleeping grove. They, like all baboons, spend the night in trees to avoid predators ranging from lions to pythons and surprisingly, a list including chimpanzees.