Humans and chimps share killer instinct say scientists

[IDemo]

Evidence suggests our closest animal relatives have an almost psychopathic tendency towards violence and slaughter that is not the result of human interference.

A widely held theory is that chimps only turn on each other when humans disrupt their forest habitats or food supplies.

The new research indicates this is wishful thinking. In reality, chimps fight and kill to get what they want and "eliminate rivals", say the authors.

Competing groups of the animals go to war over resources such as territory, food or mates, the study found.

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/humans-and-chimps-share-killer-instinct-say-scientists-30595519.html

[Baclava]

1. "Violence is a natural part of life for chimpanzees"

Chimps Are Naturally Violent, Study Suggests

"They don't need to be fed bananas to kill each other."


As one of humanity's closest living relatives, chimps can shed light on the evolution of people, such as when humans adopted warlike behaviors, Wilson said.

He and his colleagues collaborated with researchers who are studying chimpanzees and bonobos, another ape that shares a common ancestor with humans.

Chimpanzees and Bonobos

The chimpanzees exhibited 152 killings, including 58 that the scientists observed, 41 that were inferred and 53 suspected killings in 15 communities, the researchers said. The bonobos had one suspected killing, the researchers said. The different acts of violence did not depend on human impacts, Wilson said.

Instead, attacks were more common at sites with many males and high population densities. Also, chimpanzees in East Africa killed more frequently than did chimps in West Africa, the study found.

Unsurprisingly, the bonobos showed little violence. "We didn't find any definite cases of killing by bonobos, though there was one case of a male bonobo who was severely attacked by members of his own group and never seen again"

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/chimps-are-naturally-violent-study-suggests-n205651

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Bonobo: The Female Alpha