More Than Just Kibbles: Keeper Familiarity and Food Can Affect Bonobo Behavior

This study investigated the impact of keeper familiarity and food type on bonobo behavior. Video data were collected over three months from a group of 17 bonobos at La Vallée des Singes, France. Five behaviors were analyzed: play, aggression, anxiety, gestures, and sociosexual interactions, across three conditions: keeper present/food unavailable, keeper present/food available, and keeper absent/food unavailable. Generalized linear models revealed that more familiar keepers were associated with increased sociosexual interactions (likely to reduce food-related tension) and gestures (especially with low-quality, easily catchable food). High-quality food increased aggression, irrespective of keeper presence. Anxiety increased when keepers were present without food. Play was unaffected by the variables. This study highlights that bonobo welfare depends on both food quality and keeper interactions, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to captive management.

Augusto Vitale, Valeska Stephan, Marta Caselli, Emilio Russo, Jean-Pascal Guéry, Elisa Demuru, Ivan Norscia