The forest erupted with the booming barks of male chimpanzees as this grizzly scene unravelled. The dominant chimpanzee eviscerated the monkey. After the males ate the brains and other organs, two high-ranking females fought over the carcass. ‘It was loud, gory and difficult to witness, but I wanted to capture all the tension,’ said Ronan.
Fruit is a major food source for chimpanzees, but leaves, bark and meat are also important. A rare hunt to kill small monkeys can cause levels of aggression and social stress within the group to surge. Who gets what to eat will depend on hierarchy and relationships.
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Ronan's love of nature stems from his upbringing in rural Vermont. As a field biologist turned photographer, he has had the opportunity to explore a range of conservation issues and has found that photography allows him to give a voice to his subjects.
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