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Hello, I'm Robyn Itz.

And I'm Brian Cox, and this is the Infinite Monkey Cage.

Now, for a show called The Infinite Monkey Cage, we really go beyond primates who are,

well, the species, theoretical physicist, evolutionary geneticist, or analytic chemist.

And some experts are actually even beginning to debate where the physicist should indeed

be classified as a separate species.

There is increasing evidence to suggest that physicists can breed with biologists, Beijing

Zoo, recently lent paint and zoo, one of their theoretical physicists for a mating programme,

but they appear to be very shy, and they've been allowing them to attempt mating in the

dark, but they just don't seem to be able to find the energy.

The 14th of July 2020, the 60th anniversary of what became a landmark achievement in understanding

both chimpanzees and human beings.

Jane Goodall's first expedition to Gombe.

Today, we're asking, how has the study of chimpanzees changed our view, not only of their

world and the world around us, but also the world including us?

How can we work to protect species that are far more closely linked to us than we previously

imagined, and in doing so ultimately better protect ourselves?

And as usually in these times, we are joined by an audience of 200, each one sat alone

at home, but like a brood of termites, they come together to form an audience.

And I hope you don't mind me calling you termites.

I'm a big fan of termites and they're mounds, so it's in no way an insult as far as I'm concerned.

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