A new study has reached a sorrowful explanation for the behavior observed in primates, particularly concerning maternal attachment, which has puzzled scientists for a long time due to the lack of a clear reason. In the largest analysis of this behavior published in the "Royal Society," a team of researchers examined the carrying of deceased infants by some primates for extended periods.
The researchers concluded that a mother primate carrying her dead infant could be part of the grieving process, and there is a correlation between the duration of carrying and the strength of the bond between mother and infant. The study analyzed 126 prior studies on the behavior, covering 409 cases of primates whose offspring had died, showing that 80% exhibited this grieving behavior.
Alicia Carter, an anthropologist at University College London (UCL) in the UK, stated: "Our study suggests that primates may be able to recognize death in ways similar to humans." She adds, "What we don't know—and perhaps will never know—is whether primates understand that death is universal, and that all animals, including themselves, will die."
While it is difficult to determine whether primates truly understand their young have died, the research showed that younger mothers are more likely to carry their deceased infants. This behavior has been significantly observed in higher primates and Old World monkeys, and since these primates carry their dead young for extended periods, it is assumed that they have a stronger bond.
The study concluded that factors such as climate do not influence this behavior, and this grieving behavior was not common among all 409 primates studied, as lemurs do not usually exhibit this behavior, although mothers sometimes return to their deceased young.
Biological anthropologist Elisa Fernández Fuyoo from University College London remarked: "Our study also shows that through the experience of death and external signals, mother primates may gain a better awareness of death and thus 'decide' not to carry their deceased infant with them, even if they continue to experience feelings associated with loss."
