Insight into infant handling by young bonobos
Date:
June 19, 2018
Source:
University of Oregon
Amelia, an infant female, looks over a frozen juice treat being held by Sukari, an adolescent female, left, on a hot
summer day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Adolescent female bonobos spend a lot of time handling the infants
around them, learning mothering skills and creating bonds with the mothers, regardless of whether the mothers and
infants are related to them, according to University of Oregon researchers.
Credit: Photo by Drew Enigk
University of Oregon anthropologist Klaree Boose followed her intuition about her observations of bonobos at a U.S. zoo. She now theorizes that young females of the endangered ape species prepare for motherhood and form social bonds by helping mothers take care of infants.
"After studying bonobos for several years, I noticed that immature individuals of juveniles and adolescents were obsessed with the babies," said Boose, an instructor in the UO Department of Anthropology. "They played with the babies and carried them around. It appeared to be more than just play behavior."
While multiple theories exist about such behaviors in primates, Boose realized, they had not been examined in bonobos. So, she led a project at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, to focus on spontaneous activity of the bonobos and collect urine samples from juveniles and adolescents.
Eventually, two clear findings emerged. Young females that handle the infants of mothers are building maternal skills they will eventually need and forging alliances with the mothers that pay off in times of hostility.
More:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180619122417.htm
