New Research Suggests Primates May Share Our Instinct to Care for Other Animals

By Kendall Jang, Staff Writer

Humans may not be the only primates drawn to caring for animals of another species.

A new study highlighted by The New York Times examined 427 interactions across 88 primate species, finding behaviors that resemble some of the building blocks of human pet-keeping. Monkeys and apes were observed playing with, grooming, carrying, and even caring for animals of other species.

In one case, capuchin monkeys adopted and cared for a baby marmoset for months. Other examples included chimpanzees grooming a red-tailed monkey and a macaque forming a bond with a chicken.

Researchers caution that these behaviors are not the same as humans keeping pets. Instead, they may offer clues about the origins of our ability to nurture and form meaningful bonds with other species.

That connection is at the heart of Ohio Animal Advocates’ work. Our relationships with animals come with a responsibility to protect their well-being. Through advocacy, education, and systemic change, OAA works to make Ohio a place where animals are protected from cruelty, abuse, and neglect.

This research offers another reminder of just how deep connections between species can run, and why the animals who share our lives deserve protection and humane treatment.

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