US EditionDespite their contrasting reputations, bonobos and chimpanzees show similar levels of aggression in zoos
Utrecht University researchers found aggression rates similar in bonobos and chimpanzees but differing in targets, with bonobo aggression mainly directed at males, reflecting social roles.
- On March 11, a Science Advances study reported no overall difference in aggression between zoo-housed bonobos and chimpanzees, though aggression distribution differed across 22 zoo-housed groups.
- Researchers sought to evaluate the self‑domestication hypothesis by testing assumptions that chimpanzees are violent and bonobos peaceful, using zoo populations due to limited wild bonobo data from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The dataset comprised 3,243 recorded aggressive incidents, including 1,368 bonobo and 1,875 chimpanzee cases, with juveniles under 7 years excluded and behavior logged using a standard primate behavioral log.
- Emile Bryon said the results do not support the self‑domestication hypothesis, and Staes explained 'There is big debate in evolutionary anthropology whether humans descended from a violent ape or a more cooperative, peaceful one'.
- Some bonobo groups showed both the highest and lowest aggression levels observed, suggesting wide within‑species variation that cautions against using apes as simple human evolution models, researchers said.
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39 Articles
InsideNoVA.com
Despite reputation, bonobos are aggressive, particularly toward males: study
Historically considered a more peaceful species than their chimpanzee cousins, bonobos are actually just as aggressive -- but target their ire most often at males, according to a study published Wednesday.
Although known for their altruism and pacifism, these great monkeys are just as aggressive as chimpanzees, but mainly target males.
Neither chimpanzees are the 'apes of war' nor bonobos are as peaceful as thought. At least, among animals living in captivity. To that conclusion...
Despite their contrasting reputations, bonobos and chimpanzees show similar levels of aggression in zoos
Chimpanzees have a reputation for being aggressive, while bonobos are often seen as their peaceful counterparts. This contrast has frequently been used to explain different sides of human nature. However, a new study by Utrecht University behavioral biologists Emile Bryon, Edwin van Leeuwen, Tom Roth and international colleagues shows that, in zoos, chimpanzees are not more aggressive than bonobos. The study was published in Science Advances.
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