Male chimpanzees hang out as friends, but most social ties remain a mystery
Strong social ties are a key driver of cooperation in many species and are associated with adaptive benefits in several of them, including humans, feral horses and dolphins. Although such bonds are widely observed, it is not always known why any two particular animals become friends (just as in humans).
From the Field: Maura Tyrrell in Indonesia
Maura Tyrrell was awarded a Leakey Foundation Research Grant during our fall 2014 cycle for her project entitled "Effect of competition on male coalition patterns in crested macaques."
Grantee Spotlight: Rachna Reddy
Rachna Reddy is a PhD candidate from the University of Michigan. She was awarded a Leakey Foundation research grant during our spring 2016 cycle for her project entitled "The development of male reproductive strategies in wild chimpanzees."
Grantee Spotlight: Rachel Perlman
Rachel Perlman is a PhD candidate from Stony Brook University. She was awarded a Leakey Foundation research grant during our spring 2016 cycle for her project entitled "The energetics of male reproductive strategies in geladas (Theropithecus gelada)."