Biochemical detection of fecal hematin as a test for meat eating in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Meat-eating by wild chimpanzees has been reported by a number of workers during the last two decades. Direct observation probably underestimates the incidence, even though the behavior occurs relatively infrequently. In 1978, Moreno-Black suggested that fecal analysis over a long period of time is probably the most effective means to determine the incidence of this behavior in wild chimpanzees and other nonhuman primate groups.