London - Chimpanzees have a range of personalities and character traits similar to those found in humans, according to new research.

A study presented to the British Psychological Society in Belfast will fuel the debate over whether chimpanzees should share the same basic human rights.

Lindsay Murray, of University College London, studied 59 chimpanzees at Chester, London and Twycross zoos. She found that personality varied according to age and sex and each had a unique character.

By assessing 25 traits, Dr Murray identified five distinct types, from "sociably confident" to "excitably timid" and "scoially placid".

Chimpanzees share 98% of their genes with humans, but are still used for experiments in the United States and the Netherlands.

"Our research is proof that chimpas have a unique personality and many human qualities. Chimps should be granted basic human rights," said Dr Murray.

- The Independent