Hours passed as I waited for the chimps to arrive. I periodically peeked through the brush to check for movement, as I had been told by several locals that these chimps would regularly visit the front yard of a now-vacant home. They also told me grisly stories of these same chimps killing several kids in the village — one of whom had lived in the vacant house I was staking out. Just before sunset, I peered through the gap in the vegetation to the east and was met by the direct gaze of multiple wild chimpanzees. I counted 10 in total. Knuckles to earth, with broad shoulders and muscular, furry arms, they stared directly at me.
I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. Goosebumps rippled down my back as the hair on my neck stood up. I was simultaneously experiencing the same involuntary fear response as these wild chimps. The only difference was that the long hairs on their bodies stood up when their goosebumps occurred — a process called piloerection. This made them look more intimidating, while my goosebumps were simply a reminder that I was indeed scared. I immediately regretted my choice to hide from these wild animals. Of course, they saw me — it was foolish of me to have thought otherwise....
