Infant Killers of Budongo

Abstract

The first report of infant cannibalism, following a presumed infanticide, by male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) was made in the Budongo Forest. Subsequently, similar episodes have been observed at other sites. The number of reported observations remains small, however, particularly of directly observed infanticide, and the function of infanticide in chimpanzees remains unclear. Infanticide by males often seems incidental to severe attacks on mothers, particularly in cases of inter-community infanticide. Two observations of infanticide by male chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest are reported here. The second incident is the first detailed infanticide to be described for Budongo. In contrast to published accounts, the infant was clearly the target; the mother was only assaulted to achieve this end, and was not seriously injured.

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