Biologists have established that the Pan paniscus bonobos are capable of cannibalism. Until now, these monkeys were considered one of the most peaceful. An article by scientists appeared in the American Journal of Primatology, and its summary is quoted by BBC News. Bonobos are considered one of the closest relatives of humans, as their genome is 98 percent the same as ours
As part of the study, scientists observed the population of these animals in the Congo. Once, one of the females named Olga died of a cub. While the female was showing grief over the loss, other monkeys appeared, took the body from the protesting Olga and began to eat it. According to the researchers, the female herself later also took part in the process.
The researchers note that cases of cannibalism have previously been observed in other species of monkeys, such as chimpanzees and gorillas. At the same time, the case that the mother participated in eating her own cub was previously recorded only in orangutans, who, according to some studies, may be the closest relatives of humans.
Bonobos, they are also pygmy chimpanzees, according to scientists, are distinguished by their good-natured disposition compared to other monkeys. So, for example, they almost never resort to violence, eat fruits, plants, and friction within the group is solved mainly by sex. The new results contrast markedly with the general appearance of these peaceful monkeys, but scientists emphasize that cases of cannibalism among bonobos are the exception, not the rule.
More recently, biologists have established that other peace-loving monkeys - the miriks - who even received the nickname "hippies", are capable of killing due to lack of sex. As part of the study, it turned out that monkeys owe their peace-loving reputation mainly to populations in northern Brazil.