Story perspectives

Young Baboons Show Human-Like Jealousy, Study Reveals

2/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Axelle Delaunay, an evolutionary biologist, led a study in Tsaobis Nature Park, showing that young chacma baboons exhibit jealousy similar to humans.
The study observed 49 young chacma baboons and found they interrupted their mothers during grooming with siblings.
Researchers noted maternal favoritism and that interruptions changed grooming only 20% of the time.
The findings were published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, indicating complex emotional behaviors in primates.

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Story summary

Axelle Delaunay, an evolutionary biologist, led a study in Tsaobis Nature Park, showing that young chacma baboons exhibit jealousy similar to humans.
The study observed 49 young chacma baboons and found they interrupted their mothers during grooming with siblings.
Researchers noted maternal favoritism and that interruptions changed grooming only 20% of the time.
The findings were published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, indicating complex emotional behaviors in primates.