Social Distancing Among Great Apes - A Comparative Study of Chimpanzees and Bonobos

Learn about social distancing behaviors among great apes in this research lecture from the 16th Kyoto University Research Institute and Center Symposium. Explore the fascinating differences in social bonding patterns between chimpanzees and bonobos, our closest animal relatives, as Assistant Professor Nahoko Tokuyama from the Primate Research Institute shares her insights. Discover how chimpanzees maintain selective social connections while enjoying solitary time, contrasting with the more gregarious bonobos who prefer constant companionship. Examine the evolutionary origins of these distinct social preferences and their implications for understanding human social flexibility, particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic when human social distancing became necessary. The presentation covers personal introduction, comparative analysis of social dynamics in chimpanzee and bonobo groups, and unique characteristics of human social behavior, highlighting our species' remarkable adaptability in social relationships.