In the dense forests of Gombe, female chimpanzees that build strong friendships—not with family, but with unrelated females—dramatically improve the odds their babies will survive. A decades-long study revealed that social bonding before birth, especially through grooming and companionship, offers powerful protection against the harsh realities of infant mortality in the wild. Surprisingly, the presence […]



Summary

Gombe chimpanzees demonstrate that strong, unrelated female friendships significantly boost infant survival. A long-term study found that female chimps who build strong bonds, particularly through grooming and companionship, before giving birth greatly improve their offspring’s chances of survival in the challenging wild environment. These social connections offer vital protection against infant mortality, highlighting the importance of female social networks beyond kinship in chimpanzee society.

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