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Study Finds Chimpanzees Kept Pets 6-10 Million Years Ago

8/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Two eastern chimpanzees, Ishe and Dembe, caressed a red-tailed monkey in Uganda, suggesting early pet-keeping.
The behavior was reported in a study published in the journal *Primates*.
Researchers also observed a macaque forming an attachment with a chicken.
Scientists say these actions imply pet-keeping may trace to a common primate ancestor.
Hal Herzog of Western Carolina University said caring for other species seems evolutionarily nonsensical.

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Story summary

Two eastern chimpanzees, Ishe and Dembe, caressed a red-tailed monkey in Uganda, suggesting early pet-keeping.
The behavior was reported in a study published in the journal *Primates*.
Researchers also observed a macaque forming an attachment with a chicken.
Scientists say these actions imply pet-keeping may trace to a common primate ancestor.
Hal Herzog of Western Carolina University said caring for other species seems evolutionarily nonsensical.