Specifically, Louise focused significantly more on Loretta and Erin than on the faces of total strangers. “Long-lasting social memory likely provided key foundations for the evolution of human culture and sociality as they extended across time, space and group boundaries,” the researchers wrote. “Most people who work closely with great apes have the impression they must clearly remember us, even over years of separation,” Krupenye said. The apes had last seen old companions at least nine months ago, and, in the most extreme case, bonobo Louise hadn’t seen Loretta or Erin in nearly 27 years at the time of testing. The chimps and bonobos at the Kumamoto Sanctuary, more “research-experienced” apes, showed the most robust biases toward former groupmates, the researchers said.

Source: National Post December 19, 2023 11:00 UTC