Science

Monkeys adopt injured baby from neighbouring tribe


Group of wild monkeys observed ‘adopting’ an injured baby from a neighbouring tribe before nursing it back to health, in groundbreaking study into primate empathy

  • Pipo was involved in a road traffic accident and was badly injured as a result 
  • He became weakened, scared and alone after losing his own social group  
  • A neighbouring group approached Pipo and cared for him for four months   
  • Researchers say Pipo’s tale means future reintroduction schemes could see juveniles sent to wild groups for adoption 

A wild group of endangered Barbary macaques staggered scientists when they adopted an injured juvenile from a neighbouring group when it was hit by a car.

The unprecedented display of concern and ‘consolation’ towards an unknown monkey, known as Pipo, saw the pack of strangers look after him until he was fit again. 

The four-month long recuperation process of the three-year-old primate allowed him to eventually build up his strength and rejoin his own group. 

Pipo’s story has opened a new route of conservation for the endangered species as animals released in the wild could adopted by random groups.  

The four-month long recuperation process of the three-year-old primate known as Pipo allowed him to eventually build up his strength and rejoin his own group. Here, he is being tended to by a member of his adoptive group

The four-month long recuperation process of the three-year-old primate known as Pipo allowed him to eventually build up his strength and rejoin his own group. Here, he is being tended to by a member of his adoptive group 

WHAT ARE BARBARY MACAQUES? 

 Barbary macaques are endangered monkeys that  live in large social groups. 

Often the familial groups are fragmented and destroyed from habitat loss and poachers.

The cute-looking baby monkeys are illegally taken from the wild when very young to be used as pets or street entertainment, but are often soon abandoned.

Barbary macaques are unusual among primates in that the males of the species adore babies, regardless of them being theirs or not.

A scientist from Oxford University and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (ifaw) caught some of the behaviour on film and it is published today in the journal Primates. 

Pipo became distressed and vulnerable after he was left alone following his serious incident and became isolated from his group.

A Barbary macaque group, with no social relationship with Pipo, opted to look after him. 

They approached, groomed and affiliated with him, and accepted him into their group at Ifrane National Park in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

This site is one of the Barbary macaque’s last remaining areas of habitation and is a hotspot for researchers hoping to safeguard the endangered species. 

Often the familial groups are fragmented and destroyed from habitat loss and poachers.   

The cute-looking baby monkeys are illegally taken from the wild when very young to be used as pets or street entertainment, but are often soon abandoned.  

The scientist who studied Pipo’s recovery, Liz Campbell, said: ‘We thought fostering may only be an option for very young monkeys, but Pipo’s case shows even older juveniles can be accepted by wild foster groups. 

‘This observation provides valuable information for rehabilitation and release strategies, which will help improve welfare of rescued macaques, strengthen wild populations, and free space in sanctuaries to allow continued confiscations to fight illegal trade.’

Barbary macaques are known for their willingness to provide care to non-direct descendants (known as allo-parental care) and Pipo’s case is a prime example. 

The researchers say this knowledge could help the conservation of the species as release into wild foster groups could be a promising strategy. 

Pipo became distressed and vulnerable after he was left alone following his serious incident and became isolated from his group

Pipo became distressed and vulnerable after he was left alone following his serious incident and became isolated from his group

Barbary macaques are unusual among primates in that the males of the species adore babies, regardless of them being theirs or not and have been known to form baby 'sandwiches' with other males, which helps them bond with the babies and with other males

Barbary macaques are unusual among primates in that the males of the species adore babies, regardless of them being theirs or not and have been known to form baby ‘sandwiches’ with other males, which helps them bond with the babies and with other males

Barbary macaques are known for their willingness to provide care to non-direct descendants (known as allo-parental care) and Pipo's case is a prime example

Barbary macaques are known for their willingness to provide care to non-direct descendants (known as allo-parental care) and Pipo’s case is a prime example

The response by the neighbouring group to approach and groom the injured and distressed juvenile is unusual, since wild Barbary macaques are not usually friendly towards monkeys from other groups.

There is growing evidence from several species of empathy-like behaviours, such as ‘consolation’ but this case is unusual as it is directed at an unknown individual.  

Barbary macaques are unusual among primates in that the males of the species adore babies, regardless of them being theirs or not.

‘They will often form baby ‘sandwiches’ with other males, which helps them bond with the babies and with other males,’ Ms Campbell added. 

‘Barbary macaques form huddle groups with monkeys they are socially bonded with to protect against the sometimes harsh environments in the snowy Atlas Mountains.’ 





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