Male monkey cares for dying partner

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/26924936




A wild male marmoset has been seen and filmed embracing and caring for his dying partner.

The female accidentally fell from a tree in the forests of Brazil and the male comforted her as she lay dying.

Such behaviour is "astounding", say scientists, having only been previously recorded in primates among chimpanzees and humans.

The marmosets were the dominant pair in their group, having been committed partners for three-and-a-half years.

[tblue37]

1. Our set of skills, instincts, and emotions did not appear from out of

nowhere. They developed out of the genetic heritage we share with all other complex animals.

[Daemonaquila]

3. LOL. THIS!!!!

I always want to say, "Which scientists?" Many animal behaviorists would have the same reaction as you. It's only our humanocentric social programming that makes this in any way "surprising" to some people.

[ladjf]

2. It's odd that the scientist were "astounded" by the marmoset's behavior.

Most of us have seen examples of animal's loyalty to their peers.

[Warpy]

5. My cat, with a brain the size of a shelled walnut

had enough brain power to grieve for her companion cat for years, meowing at any closed door, hoping he was behind it.

Lower animals are not that much lower.

[JoeyT]

4. I'm sort of amazed that they're amazed.

I've had dogs (Canids! Not even primates, fer chrissake!) that wouldn't leave a sick friend and after she had to be put to sleep looked for her for months afterward. Then when someone mentioned her name in conversation two years later they barreled into the room where her bed was to see if she was back.