Program including abstracts as pdf available here

Evening at the zoo
Title
THE WILD LIFE OF OuR CLOSEST LIVING RELATIVES
Authors
DR. MARTIN SuRbECK
Affiliations
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
KeYnOTeS
Abstract talk:
Chimpanzees and bonobos are our closest living relatives. They are often used to study the
evolution of our own species. Whereas chimpanzees are known for their ability to use tools,
their engagement in intergroup warfare, their cooperative hunting and their male politics, we
are just beginning our exploration into the social life of bonobos. They are believed to be a
peaceful andegalitarian species where females are dominant. Given these preconceptions it is
not surprising that this species has been nicknamed the “hippie chimpanzee”. Living only in
remote places in the Democratic Republic of Congo, bonobos are much less studied compared
to chimpanzees and part of what we know about them might not reflect their natural behavior
in the wild. This talk will provide insights into the life of wild living chimpanzees and bonobos
and will try to answer questions such as: how easy is it for a chimpanzee infant to learn how
to use a tool? How did bonobo females become dominant over some males? What are the consequences
of high female status for bonobo males?
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