Scientists Study Capuchin Monkey Kidnapping Behavior

Scientists saw monkeys doing strange things. They found capuchin monkeys carrying baby howler monkeys. The monkeys were on an island in Panama from 2022 to 2023.

Zoë Goldsborough said this was a big surprise. She works at the Max Planck Institute. She said they have not seen this before with animals.

Scientists are still learning why they did it. Capuchins are smart monkeys from South and Central America. They learn from each other and use tools to get food.

Scientists used cameras to watch the monkeys. They were studying how capuchins use tools. The cameras showed capuchins with baby howler monkeys on their backs.

The baby howler monkeys usually died. They were too young to live without their mothers. Scientists do not know why the capuchins took the babies, but it was not to eat them.