The study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals that approximately 80% of the studied species exhibit behavior of “carrying the dead.”
“Our research indicates that non-human primates may perceive death in ways similar to humans,” said Alecia Carter, co-author of the study.
Chacma baboon holding a dead infant in the Namib Desert. (Photo: Fox News).
According to Carter, her research reflects how non-human primate species cope with the pain of losing their offspring.
“Some mothers experience stillbirths and may hold their young with a lower risk of severe depression because they have the opportunity to express their bond. Some ‘primate mothers’ may require similar time to confront their loss. This indicates how strong and important the mother-offspring relationship is for primates and mammals in general,” Carter noted.
The study shows that for mothers carrying their dead infants, the duration of this behavior depends on the time of the infant’s death and the relationship between the mother and child. Another factor is how the infant died. If it died for no apparent reason (no injury, no illness), this behavior is more likely to occur.
Additionally, age also affects the duration of carrying the dead. Younger mothers may find it harder to cope with the grief than older mothers who have experienced this loss multiple times.
