Ayumu's Board-Drumming Display

Amid the various sounds of nature in Inuyama, "new sound" began to be heard around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. It came from Ayumu, a chimpanzee, performing a display using wooden boards.

Ayumu carries a wooden board in one hand and runs around energetically while producing loud sounds. Sometimes, he even uses two boards alternately to strike the mesh enclosure. The resulting sounds can be heard from quite a distance away, leading some staff members to jokingly describe him as a "taiko drummer" or even a "rock drummer."

One notable feature of this display is how long it can continue. While analyzing the videos, I found myself listening to the sounds of the boards over and over again—occasionally enough to make my ears ache a little. Still, watching Ayumu enthusiastically drum while showing a play face made the entire analysis process enjoyable.

We are pleased to share that this unique behavior of Ayumu has now been described in a scientific publication. Please take a look at the press release to learn more.