Understanding the drivers of complex behaviors in wild animals requires investigating multiple interconnected factors. This thesis presents a multi-component approach to studying cultural propensities in wild chimpanzees, focusing on the Mwera South community in Bugoma Forest, Uganda. Through systematic integration of behavioral experiments, ecological monitoring, and physiological measurements, we investigated the factors influencing tool use and foraging decisions. Field experiments testing honey extraction revealed that this community uniquely displays both stick tool manufacturing and leaf-sponging behaviors, suggesting Bugoma's potential role as a cultural junction between neighboring forests. Analysis of feeding ecology demonstrated complex relationships between fruit availability, rainfall patterns, and dietary choices. Physiological measurements of cortisol and urinary C-peptide revealed sex-specific differences in stress and metabolic regulation, with nutritional status strongly predicting honey-seeking behaviors. Notably, we documented an unexpected preference for bark from a specific Trilepisium madagascariense tree over readily available honey, with chemical analysis revealing distinct profiles of beneficial compounds in the preferred bark. These findings support a sophisticated foraging strategy where necessity operates at multiple levels - from immediate nutritional needs to potential medicinal requirements. This research demonstrates the value of integrating behavioral, ecological, and physiological approaches to understand complex behaviors in wild populations, while providing crucial baseline data for this newly studied chimpanzee community.