Primate Memory: Apes Recall Long-Lost Connections Decades Later
TL;DR Summary
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that bonobos and chimpanzees have the ability to remember old friends, family members, and groupmates even after decades of separation. The research suggests that long-term memory is a trait shared by humans, chimps, and bonobos, indicating deep evolutionary roots in complex social networks. Using eye-tracking technology, the study found that the apes showed a greater interest in images of familiar individuals compared to strangers. The results provide insight into the cognitive abilities and social relationships of our closest living relatives.
- Apes may remember old friends and family decades later, study says The Washington Post
- Apes recognize friends they haven’t seen for decades, new research finds CNN
- Chimps Can Still Remember Faces After a Quarter Century The New York Times
- A bonobo was separated from her sister for 26 years. She still remembers her. National Geographic
- Chimpanzees recognise photos of friends they haven't seen for decades New Scientist
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