A multiyear study of adult chimpanzees in Ivory Coast suggests that play is more important for adults than previously thought. The study found that play helps adults reduce tension and boost cooperation among individuals. This challenges the belief that playing into adulthood is unique to humans, as chimpanzees were found to play regularly. Play among chimps is described as a joyful, mutual, and synchronous act that involves actions usually seen during aggression, indicating trust between participants. This study sheds light on the role that play plays in the lives of adult chimpanzees, which has previously been understudied.
Researchers monitored wild chimpanzees living in Ivory Coast’s Taï Forest from 2012 to 2018, documenting almost 5,000 play sessions among adult chimps from three different communities. Play was observed in various forms and situations, occurring on about 40 percent of the days researchers observed the chimps. The study found that adults with stronger social relationships were more likely to play with each other, especially before engaging in activities that required collaboration, such as hunting monkeys or defending territory. These coordinated behaviors are successful due to mechanisms like adult-adult social play, which may foster trust, reduce anxiety, and motivate collaborative engagement.
The study also revealed that play may serve as a mechanism for conflict reconciliation and tension reduction among adult chimpanzees. Adult chimps were more likely to play with someone they recently fought with, suggesting that play plays a role in reducing stress and tension within the group. Females were almost 50 percent more likely to engage in play with other adults on tense days when a female was ready to mate, possibly as a means to reduce stress and social tension. These findings provide insight into the ways in which play may benefit adult chimpanzees in resolving conflicts and reducing tension within groups.
In a separate study published in PLOS ONE, chimpanzees living at a sanctuary in Zambia were found to be more likely to engage in play and grooming if they saw other individuals doing so. This suggests that sharing positive experiences, such as playing and engaging in social activities, is important for social relationships and well-being, not just in humans but also in other primate species. These functions of play and social interaction are believed to be evolutionarily ancient and shared among primate relatives. The new research highlights the significance of play in adult chimpanzees’ lives and sheds light on its role in reducing tension, fostering cooperation, and promoting social bonding among individuals within a group.
