At Zikaron Island, researchers discovered capuchin monkeys carrying baby howler monkeys. Initially thought to be a case of adoption, it became clear that these capuchins were carrying the howler infants without maternal care, leading to starvation. Zoë Goldsborough, a behavioral ecologist, and her team observed over 15 months that this behavior involved multiple capuchins and at least 11 howler infants.
The researchers are puzzled by this seemingly non-beneficial behavior, especially since the capuchins on Zikaron have evolved in a predator-free environment, potentially leading to boredom-driven exploration and innovative behaviors. This environment differs significantly from mainland relatives, which usually face predation pressures.
While adoption is common among primates, the male capuchins in this study did not provide maternal care. Other researchers suggested that the behavior might stem from boredom or a desire to explore, akin to playful behavior seen in young primates. Goldsborough and her co-authors aim to understand these unusual behaviors and their implications for both species, especially concerning the endangered status of the howler monkeys involved.
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