![Figure][1] The proximity of chimpanzee populations to human activity is just one factor in conservation priorities. PHOTO: © SHAH, ANUP/ANIMALS ANIMALS In their Report “Human impact erodes chimpanzee behavioral diversity” (29 March, p. [1453][2]), H. S. Kuhl et al. find that chimpanzees in modified landscapes show low behavioral diversity and propose the establishment of “chimpanzee cultural heritage sites” to safeguard behavioral variation. We are concerned that their conclusion propagates a view that some populations are not worth conserving. At sites with highest modification, such as agricultural landscapes where people and chimpanzees share spaces entirely, human activities are driving chimpanzee behavioral flexibility and diversification, including novel behaviors ([ 1 ][3], [ 2 ][4]). However, extinction risk in these areas is higher as a result of population isolation and anthropogenic-driven mortality ([ 3 ][5]). Conservationists also have incomplete data; not all chimpanzee behaviors in the wild are demonstrably socially learned and transmitted—and therefore cultural. We agree that it is important to protect the behavioral diversity of culturally rich wildlife ([ 4 ][6]), but such populations should not always be given blanket priority over those living in closer contact with humans. We must ensure that apes living across the anthropogenic continuum are given a fighting chance. 1. [↵][7]1. K. J. Hockings et al ., Trends Ecol. Evol. 30, 215 (2015). [OpenUrl][8][CrossRef][9][PubMed][10] 2. [↵][11]1. S. Krief et al ., PLOS One 9, e109925 (2014). [OpenUrl][12] 3. [↵][13]Arcus Foundation, State of the Apes: Industrial Agriculture and Ape Conservation (Cambridge University Press, 2015). 4. [↵][14]1. P. Brakes et al ., Science 363, 1032 (2019). [OpenUrl][15][Abstract/FREE Full Text][16] [1]: pending:yes [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/363/6434/1453 [3]: #ref-1 [4]: #ref-2 [5]: #ref-3 [6]: #ref-4 [7]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [8]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DTrends%2BEcol.%2BEvol.%26rft.volume%253D30%26rft.spage%253D215%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1016%252Fj.tree.2015.02.002%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F25766059%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [9]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1016/j.tree.2015.02.002&link_type=DOI [10]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=25766059&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fsci%2F364%2F6445%2F1040.1.atom [11]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [12]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPLOS%2BOne%26rft.volume%253D9%26rft.spage%253De109925%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [13]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3 in text" [14]: #xref-ref-4-1 "View reference 4 in text" [15]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DScience%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1126%252Fscience.aaw3557%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F30808816%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [16]: /lookup/ijlink/YTozOntzOjQ6InBhdGgiO3M6MTQ6Ii9sb29rdXAvaWpsaW5rIjtzOjU6InF1ZXJ5IjthOjQ6e3M6ODoibGlua1R5cGUiO3M6NDoiQUJTVCI7czoxMToiam91cm5hbENvZGUiO3M6Mzoic2NpIjtzOjU6InJlc2lkIjtzOjEzOiIzNjMvNjQzMS8xMDMyIjtzOjQ6ImF0b20iO3M6MjU6Ii9zY2kvMzY0LzY0NDUvMTA0MC4xLmF0b20iO31zOjg6ImZyYWdtZW50IjtzOjA6IiI7fQ==