Some Chimp Mothers Carry Their Deceased Infants Until They Mummify

Key Points:

• Chimpanzee and bonobo mothers have been observed carrying their deceased infants on their backs for extended periods, sometimes up to 126 days, with an average duration of 11 days, occasionally resulting in mummification.
• A study analyzing 83 cases identified factors influencing the length of infant corpse carrying (ICC), including cause of death (longer if due to disease), infant age (older infants carried longer), birth intervals, and colder temperatures.
• The strong bond between mothers and infants in these species contributes to high infant survival rates and continued care even after the infant can self-care, highlighting the emotional and social importance of maternal behavior.
• Researchers caution against assuming chimpanzees and bonobos do not recognize death's finality; extended carrying may stem from persistent maternal behavior influenced by social and environmental factors rather than a lack of awareness.
• Understanding how these primates perceive and respond to death could shed light on the evolution of human responses to mortality, but more research is needed to avoid anthropomorphizing their grieving processes.