New Study Reveals Higher Aggression Levels in Bonobos Than Previously Thought

Contrary to popular belief, male bonobos exhibit more frequent and intense aggression compared to their chimpanzee counterparts, challenging the notion of their peaceful nature.

Recent research indicates male bonobos engage in 2.8 times more aggressive interactions and three times as many physical aggressions than male chimpanzees.
The study, conducted at Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve and Gombe National Park, utilized detailed tracking of individual animals to compare aggression rates.
Male bonobos predominantly display aggression towards other males, while chimpanzees also target females.
Findings suggest that the more aggressive male bonobos achieve greater mating success, a surprising revelation given their co-dominant social structure.
The study challenges the self-domestication hypothesis, which posits evolution has selected against aggression in bonobos, highlighting the complexity of primate behavior.