Howler Monkey Infant Rides on Juvenile Capuchin Using Stone Tools at Stream Anvil Site – Credit: Brendan Barrett / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior
A Disturbing Primate Mystery Unfolds in Panama
In a rare and unsettling discovery, scientists have observed white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus) in Panama engaging in an unexpected and unprecedented behavior: abducting infants of an entirely different monkey species—the howler monkey (Alouatta).
This shocking behavior, never before documented in the wild, was recorded on hidden cameras placed on Jicarón Island, part of the Coiba National Park. The study, conducted by researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, raises new questions about the cultural and environmental influences on animal behavior.
How It All Began
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| Howler Monkey Infant #10 Rides Subadult Capuchin Using Stone Tools at Experimental Anvil Site with Debris Collection Mesh – Credit: Brendan Barrett / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior |
The incident came to light when Zoë Goldsborough, a behavioral ecologist, reviewed footage from 15 motion-triggered cameras set up on the island between January 2022 and March 2023. What initially appeared to be a typical nurturing moment—an adult capuchin carrying a baby on its back—turned out to be something far more unusual.
Upon closer inspection, Goldsborough realized that the infant was not a baby capuchin but a howler monkey. This revelation led to the identification of at least 11 separate incidents where juvenile capuchins were seen abducting howler infants.
“I realized this was something we had never seen before,” said Goldsborough in a statement. “It was both fascinating and disturbing.”
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| Capuchin Monkeys Display Unusual Behavior by Kidnapping Endangered Infant Howlers – Credit: Niki Harry/Getty Images |
Not for Food or Play
Interestingly, the capuchins did not appear to be eating or playing with the abducted infants—two possible motivations for such behavior. In several cases, the howler infants were observed being carried for extended periods, sometimes while still alive, until they ultimately died—likely from maternal separation or starvation.
There was no evidence of cannibalism or active aggression toward the abducted infants, according to the published findings in Current Biology.
Could This Be a “Cultural Fad”?
Researchers believe that this behavior might be a form of socially learned conduct—a “cultural fad” spreading among the young male capuchins. While other primates are known for tool use and grooming habits passed down generations, interspecies kidnapping is highly unusual.
“We suspect that a unique combination of environmental isolation, social dynamics, and limited mating opportunities on Jicarón Island may have fostered this new behavioral trend,” the authors noted.
This raises the intriguing possibility that primates, much like humans, may adopt and spread socially learned behaviors—even if they appear irrational or harmful.
Implications for Primate Studies
This bizarre case adds to growing evidence that some primate behaviors are shaped not just by survival instincts but also by social and environmental contexts. It also challenges researchers to consider the psychological development and group culture of non-human animals in new ways.
“It’s a disturbing behavior, but it may reveal how complex and flexible primate societies truly are,” said primatologist Barbara Fruth from the Max Planck Institute.
Conclusion: A Behavior Worth Watching
While it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions, the observed abductions highlight the need for long-term behavioral monitoring in isolated ecosystems. These findings suggest that even in the animal kingdom, cultural phenomena can emerge in response to local pressures and social imitation.
As researchers continue to investigate, one thing is clear: animal behavior is more complex and unpredictable than we might have imagined.
References
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Capuchin Monkeys Caught on Camera With Abducted Baby Howler Monkeys
- ScienceDaily. Capuchin monkeys develop bizarre 'fad' of abducting baby howlers
- Science News. Juvenile capuchins are kidnapping infants of another monkey species
- Popular Science. Capuchin monkeys caught on camera kidnapping baby howlers
What do you think about this behavior? Do you believe it's a sign of emotional development—or a result of environmental stress? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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