Apes Unveil Surprising Levels of Cooperation, Challenging Human Uniqueness

In the vast landscapes of Africa, where troops of baboons may either maintain a respectful distance or engage in conflict, a new revelation challenges the traditional view of human uniqueness. The latest research, published in Science, unveils evidence of unprecedented cooperation between two groups of apes in Africa, specifically bonobos, questioning the long-standing belief that human cooperation is an exclusive hallmark of our species.

For decades, anthropologists attributed human cooperation to the evolution of our sophisticated brains, enabling complex behaviors, language use, and the establishment of cultural traditions. However, the study, conducted through extensive observations of bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo, challenges this notion by revealing that two separate groups of apes have been consistently mingling and cooperating over several years.

Bonobos, a genetically distinct species from chimpanzees, exhibit distinct behaviors. Unlike male-dominated chimpanzee societies that can be marked by extreme violence, bonobo groups are led by females, and instances of infanticide by males have never been observed. Moreover, bonobos often use sex as a strategy to diffuse conflicts, a behavior not witnessed among chimpanzees.

The study, led by behavioral ecologist Martin Surbeck from Harvard, involved long-term observations of bonobo groups named Ekalakala and Kokoalongo. The encounters between these groups were notably different from the hostile interactions between chimpanzee groups. Instead of patrolling boundaries and preparing for battles, bonobos engaged in friendly gatherings, grooming, sharing food, and cooperating to ward off threats like snakes.

Over two years, the researchers observed 95 encounters between the two bonobo groups, with some interactions lasting for days. The bonobos exhibited behaviors akin to a single group, challenging the idea that cooperation is solely a human trait. Despite their cooperation, the groups remained distinct, with no evidence of inter-group mating or merging of cultures. Each group even maintained unique hunting preferences, focusing on different games.

The scientists discovered that the cooperation observed was not random; it involved the formation of bonds between individual apes from different groups. Favors and gifts were exchanged, leading to the gradual development of alliances. In some instances, bonobos from different groups teamed up to harass a third individual.

Joan Silk, a primatologist at Arizona State University, expressed her amazement at the extended, friendly, and cooperative relationships between bonobo groups with no kinship ties, highlighting the extraordinary nature of this behavior.

While the study sheds light on the surprising levels of cooperation among bonobos, challenges persist in further understanding this phenomenon. Establishing bonobo research sites is challenging due to their deep habitation in rainforests, coupled with internal conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, the population of bonobos, estimated at around 15,000 individuals, faces threats from logging and poaching.

Liran Samuni, an expert on chimpanzees, emphasized the significance of conducting similar studies in different populations to comprehensively understand the extent of cooperation among bonobos. The research not only challenges the traditional view of human uniqueness but also emphasizes the need for continued exploration to unravel the complexities of ape behavior.

In essence, while human groups showcase remarkable cooperation, the study suggests that bonobos, our close relatives, can also organize themselves to cooperate, teaching us more about our shared evolutionary past.