Dr. Craig Stanford is an expert on animal behavior and human origins. He is a Professor of Biological Sciences and Anthropology at the University of Southern California and Director of USC's Jane Goodall Research Center.  He extensively studied chimpanzees in Tanzania, in collaboration with Dr. Goodall. He has also studied chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in Uganda as well as researching primates and other animals for more than 20 years in Africa, Asia and Latin America.   Stanford is the author of 16 books and 130 scholarly articles on animal behavior and human evolution.  In our conversation, we discuss the evolutionary ancestry of humans and chimpanzees and what this tells us about the relationship between our species today. Craig recounts how a letter led him to work alongside Jane Goodall as well as his experiences studying chimpanzees in Tanzania with her. We talk in depth about the structure of chimpanzee society and the diversity of personalities within the species, the relationship between wildlife and disease, the practice of eating primates in regions of Africa, and the future of the great apes.  Links relative to our conversation are below. 

Craig Stanford Profile

Craig Stanford Discovery Lecture Series 

Jane Goodall Revisits Gombe 

DNA Links Between Chimps and Humans

Human Origins 

Infant Human vs Infant Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee Communication

Chimpanzee Murder 

Why Are Chimps Stronger Than Humans

International Trade of Primate Meat