US EditionChimp 'civil war' turns deadly in Uganda
Researchers say the violence is largely one-sided, with Western Ngogo chimpanzees killing central-group rivals after the community split in 2015.
- On Friday, researchers reported that the world's largest chimpanzee community, the Ngogo chimpanzees, has fractured into two rival factions across 10 miles of Uganda's Kibale National Park. The violent feud has resulted in seven male and 17 infant deaths.
- The community grew too large to remain cohesive, according to 24 years of studying social networks. Jacob Negrey, an assistant professor with the University of Arizona, noted that social relationships began fraying in 2015 following deaths of key adult males.
- Over seven years, Western Ngogo chimpanzees made 24 attacks on their former allies. Negrey stated they "hold them down and bite them and stomp on them," often causing fatal injuries from internal bleeding or trauma.
- The Central Ngogo chimpanzees have been pushed further east, losing access to safe territory. Scientists say this behavior is part of evolved chimpanzee social dynamics, with researchers planning to continue studying the divided groups.
- Researchers are comparing the conflict to human civil wars, suggesting these findings challenge assumptions that such strife stems primarily from identity or culture. This rare, large-scale war provides insight into humanity's closest biological relatives.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The rare phenomenon has led to the division of the largest community in the world, in Uganda (ANSA)
Chimpanzees are more aggressive than bonobos, both of which are humans' closest living relatives.
Among Strauss' scrambled books and chords, Alberto Apparici opens this week the door to his library to address an uncomfortable and fascinating topic: organized chimpanzee violence. Starting with Jane Goodall's account of the Gombe War, the program connects that finding with a recent research published in Science that documents a new conflict in Uganda, where a community of more than 200 individuals has fractured into two opposing factions, with…
We thought the bonobos were sheltered from violence, but a rare scene comes to tarnish their image of peaceful monkeys. Meanwhile, among chimpanzees, it is absolutely war. Two studies that change our gaze on our cousins. And on ourselves...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
