A study led by researchers from Durham University explored the roles of sexual behavior in conflict resolution among bonobos and chimpanzees. While bonobos utilize sex for resolving tensions frequently, chimpanzees demonstrate a wider array of gestures to restore social bonds after conflicts. Observations from sanctuaries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia showed that both species engage in sexual behaviors beyond reproduction, but differ significantly in their approaches, reflective of their social needs and the dangers they face in their environments.
The research highlights how both bonobos and chimpanzees use sexual behavior not just for reproduction, but as a means of conflict resolution and social bonding.
Chimpanzees have a more extensive and varied approach to conflict resolution through physical gestures, which mirrors the dangerous nature of their confrontations.
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