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Gorillas: Maybe Not as Gentle as We Thought

Ape vegetarian in the wild, but can turn carnivore in captivity

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 27, 2009 11:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – King Kong aside, gorillas have somehow been able to hold onto their reputations as gentle giants, while myths about the belligerent chimpanzee and the promiscuous bonobo have long since been dispelled. But with new research into ape behavior, the last fable may fall, the Economist reports after primatologists studied apes and their interactions with other animals at 71 zoos around the US.

Chimps proved their killing-machine rep, but were outdone by the supposedly vegetarian bonobos, who slaughtered wildlife at every zoo. Most surprising were the gorillas, which seem to eat only plants and insects in the wild, but often killed and ate local wildlife. It’s possible that captivity boredom provoked new behaviors, but either way, the research further jars loose cemented primate stereotypes.

This undated photo shows an adult female bonobo.
This undated photo shows an adult female bonobo.   (Great Ape Trust)
This undated handout photo shows Kambula, a 32-year-old male Western lowland gorilla.
This undated handout photo shows Kambula, a 32-year-old male Western lowland gorilla.   (Fort Worth Zoo)
A silverback mountain gorilla is seen in the Virunga National Park, near the Ugandan border in eastern Congo, in this 2008 file photo.
A silverback mountain gorilla is seen in the Virunga National Park, near the Ugandan border in eastern Congo, in this 2008 file photo.   (AP Photo)
In this undated picture, Santino the stone-throwing chimp is watched by a group of visitors at Furuvik zoo in Sweden.
In this undated picture, Santino the stone-throwing chimp is watched by a group of visitors at Furuvik zoo in Sweden.   (AP Photo)
1933: One of John Cerisoli's models of the giant ape, poised above the New York skyline in a scene from the classic movie King Kong.
1933: One of John Cerisoli's models of the giant ape, poised above the New York skyline in a scene from the classic movie "King Kong."   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Derni
Mar 27, 2009 11:28 AM CDT
Very interesting-Humans share 98.5% of the genetic material of the Bonobos -The Bonobos society is dominated by the female (matriarchal) and all probelms -anger-etc are always resolved by SEX and not fighting-now that part of their group I like! But didn't know they were so protective of the clan that they killed others. Maybe we aren't so different after all-well-except for the sex.aMaybe we could work ontheat part guys-lets just have sex-oh -yes -I forgot to tell you-they're bisexual--sorry all you homophobics!

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