Chimpanzee mother caring for Down syndrome infant in the wild can teach us about human behaviour

By Kate Aubusson
Updated December 18 2015 - 10:08am, first published November 12 2015 - 9:07am
Mother chimpanzee Christina cradles her disabled infant XT11. Photo: Michio Nakamura
Mother chimpanzee Christina cradles her disabled infant XT11. Photo: Michio Nakamura
The disabled baby chimp, left, was completely reliant on her mother for survival.
The disabled baby chimp, left, was completely reliant on her mother for survival.
The infant chimpanzee had physical and intellectual disabilities including a growth on her abdomen, damage to her spine, and a malformed hand. Photo: Michio Nakamura
The infant chimpanzee had physical and intellectual disabilities including a growth on her abdomen, damage to her spine, and a malformed hand. Photo: Michio Nakamura
Infant chimp with down syndrome, XT11 survived far longer than predicted thanks to her mother's doting. Photo: Michio Nakamura
Infant chimp with down syndrome, XT11 survived far longer than predicted thanks to her mother's doting. Photo: Michio Nakamura
Infant chimp with down syndrome, XT11 survived far longer than predicted thanks to her mother's doting. Photo: Michio Nakamura
Infant chimp with down syndrome, XT11 survived far longer than predicted thanks to her mother's doting. Photo: Michio Nakamura

The extraordinary case of a chimpanzee mother lovingly caring for her disabled infant in the wild may help scientists understand how human beings came to care for children with disabilities.

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