Not only humans, chimpanzees also 'follow fashion trends'

Chimpanzees in a sanctuary in Africa have developed a 'fashion trend' by inserting small grass blades or sticks into their ears.

Female chimpanzee Aimi holds a stick in her ear - Photo: JAKE BROOKER/CHIMFUNSHI WILDLIFE ORPHANAGE TRUST

In 2010, researchers working at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (Zambia) observed a female chimpanzee begin inserting various objects into her ears.

CNN on July 10 quoted Mr. Ed van Leeuwen, the lead author of the study and working at Utrecht University (Netherlands), saying that other members of the chimpanzee troop quickly imitated this trend.

There is no evidence that chimpanzees use grass or sticks to relieve pain or itching, and they appear “very relaxed” while doing so, Mr van Leeuwen said. The behaviour appears to be a “ fashion trend or social tradition”.

Interestingly, chimpanzees in another group at the sanctuary began to exhibit similar behavior more than a decade later, with some even inserting objects into their rectums. Since this group lived about 14.5km away from the group where the first observations were made, they were unable to imitate it.

This led the team to wonder whether they were influenced by their caretakers in the reserve.

In fact, some humans at the sanctuary had a habit of cleaning their ears with matches or twigs. Mr. van Leeuwen believes that the chimpanzees picked up the habit and it became a trend in the group. Years later, the habit spread to the second generation of chimpanzees.

“This is a trend that spreads through social learning,” said Mr. van Leeuwen.

Mr. van Leeuwen also tells the story of a group of chimpanzees at a zoo in the Netherlands, in which a female chimpanzee began walking as if she were carrying her baby chimp, even though she was not.

Soon, all the female chimpanzees in the troop were walking this way. In addition, when two other female chimpanzees were introduced to the troop, the chimpanzee who imitated the first gait was adopted by the troop more quickly than the other.

These trends are aimed at integrating and improving social relationships, just like humans, Mr. van Leeuwen said.

ANH THU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khong-chi-con-nguoi-tinh-tinh-cung-thich-xu-huong-thoi-trang-20250711141128502.htm