Scientists studying wildlife on an island in Panama have recently come across a disturbing trend among young male capuchin monkeys. These monkeys are known for being clever and have started kidnapping infants of another monkey species, the howling monkeys. This strange behavior was captured by remote cameras, revealing that some young capuchins carry the tiny babies on their backs for days, even while the infants are dehydrates and starving.
Researchers believe that the behavior is driven by boredom and not necessity. Brenden Barrett, an expert from the Max Planck Institute , explained that these capuchins are highly explorative and innovative and often engage in strange behavior, “They’re just doing it for the sake of doing it, to reduce their boredom, or have something to do to fill their time.” The behavior appears to spread through the group, as one young male, named Joker, first began carrying the babies and the rest of the monkeys did the same. The capuchins show little social interest in the infants and while carrying them they seem a little annoyed suggesting that the behavior again comes from boredom and not a nurturing aspect.
The strange behavior is concerning because the kidnapped babies are at risk of dying from lack of nourishment, and the activity could threaten the already fragile howler monkey population which reproduces slowly. Scientists say that unlike other animals that adopt abandoned young, the capuchins seek out infants as a way to pass time.
Researchers hope that the kidnapping will die down soon to prevent the howler monkey population from depleting. They are also studying how this impacts the ecosystem which is most likely negative. These behaviors are interesting because it highlights how boredom and curiosity could lead to strange behaviors, Barrett said, ” seeing this occur in another species is somewhat terrifying because it kind of reflects a mirror on the actions that we do as people.”
