October 29, 2009 -- A family of grieving chimpanzees pay their last respects to Dorothy, an elderly chimpanzee, as she is laid to rest. Staff of the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre let the chimps watch the burial of Dorothy, an elderly chimpanzee, so they could come to terms with her loss. Workers at the chimp rescue centre in east Cameroon were surprised to see the entire family rush to the perimeter of their enclosure to pay their final respects. The normally lively and noisy animals stood silently in line with their hands on each others shoulders for comfort. They then watched, apparently in quiet contemplation, as the elderly chimp, aged in her 30s, was buried. Staff said that the moment gave a rare insight into how chimps react when one of their family dies, showing very human-like emotions. Monica Szczupider, the photographer, said: "Perhaps the most stunning reaction was recurring, almost tangible silence."