A new study finds that the reactions of chimps in the event of a death is similar to that of humans.
London (WiredPRNews.com) – Reseachers have found that chimpanzees react similarly to humans when they experience the death of a group member. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), footage taken from Scotland’s Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park showed three chimps embracing another who was dying and checking the animal for vital signs during its death.
James Anderson, a lecturer in psychology at Scotland’s University of Stirling, an co-author of the study, is quoted by the AP as stating of the video, “It’s the first time to our knowledge that people have been able to capture on video the precise moment at which an adult chimpanzee dies in the midst of his or her group.”
More information about the study may be available in Tuesday’s release of the Current Biology journal.
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